Vitamin C and Zinc Don’t Help Symptoms of COVID-19, Study Finds

Despite the popular use of vitamin C and zinc to fight or lessen the severity of viral colds and the flu, a new study, published Friday in JAMA network open, found this These two supplements had no benefit for people with coronavirus.

Dealing with the symptoms of the novel coronavirus can be a long, uphill battle that can last for days, weeks, and even months. Although there is still no cure or proven drug treatment to relieve the symptoms, the only thing people do meticulously is increase the consumption of foods, drinks and supplements that boost immunity, which is crucial during the recovery phase. Most of the time, vitamin C and zinc have become powerful fighters of COVID-19.

However, according to the findings revealed by the investigation, high doses of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and zinc have no effect on recovery new coronavrius or decrease in symptoms. “Unfortunately, these two supplements did not meet expectations “wrote the doctor Erin Michos John Hopkins and the Doctor Miguel Cainzos-Achirica Houston Methodist, in an accompanying editorial.

The team of researchers conducted an open-ended experiment in almost 214 patients in Ohio and Florida, in the United States, by giving them the supplements, which have been called crucial in our fight against COVID-19. The group was then compared to those who received no additional supplement. After analysis, Vitamin C and zinc supplementation was found to in no way lead to reduced healing or symptoms.

“Zinc gluconate (zinc) in high doses, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or the two supplements did not reduce the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 ″, according to Milind Desai, cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic. However, high doses caused unpleasant side effects in patients taking the supplements.

“Other side effects have been reported (nausea, diarrhea and stomach cramps) in groups of (the people who took the) supplements than in the usual care group ”, they assured Michos, Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Cainzos-Achirica, assistant professor of Preventive Cardiology at the Houston Methodist.

Do Vitamin C and Zinc Help Fight Infection?

Vitamin C and zinc contain properties to fight infections, which is one of the reasons why vitamin C is actively prescribed for people suffering from colds, coughs or chronic infections. The same goes for the benefits of zinc, which many people are surprisingly deficient in. For that, Many people turn to supplements of these nutrients to fight viral colds and the flu.

Vitamin C is a recognized antioxidant and plays an essential role in supporting the immune system. Although it has not been shown to prevent disease, other research has shown that vitamin C can reduce colds by 8% in adults and 14% in children. However, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), using vitamin C after the onset of cold symptoms does not appear to be helpful.

For its part, zinc can help cells’ ability to fight infection, according to the study, “while there is evidence that zinc deficiency increases pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreases antibody production.” That is to say If taken within 24 hours of the first signs of a cold, zinc can reduce the duration of a cold by a day. based on a review of 13 studies.

However, Taking more than 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C per day can cause heartburn, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches. Yes consuming more than 40 milligrams of zinc per day can cause dry mouth, nausea, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. In addition, zinc can have an unpleasant metallic taste.

Long-term users may have “low copper levels, decreased immunity, and low HDL cholesterol (the ‘good cholesterol’),” according to NIH. In 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA, for its acronym) warned the public against the use of zinc nasal sprays because it has been associated with more than 100 cases of loss of smell.

The use of vitamins and supplements in the treatment of COVID-19

Currently randomized trials are underway to see if vitamin D supplements can help (In addition to supporting healthy bone growth, vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties) in the treatment of the novel coronavirus.

Researchers in the US and China administer intravenous doses of vitamin C determine if they could help people with severe enough respiratory failure like connecting them to a respirator. In addition, Further studies are underway to determine if COVID-19 can be prevented with supplements such as vitamins C and D and zinc.

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