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Zinc and vitamin C failed in a clinical trial after researchers found they made no significant difference in easing the duration of coronavirus symptoms.
The Cleveland Clinic results were published Friday in JAMA Network, building on the results from April 27 to October 14, when 214 coronavirus patients at outpatient care sites in Ohio and Florida received or 50 milligrams of high-dose zinc taken at night. , 8,000 milligrams of vitamin C taken several times during the day with meals, a combination of both or standard care over a 10 day period.
These patients, on average around 45 years old, were at home and responded to virtual surveys about their symptoms, side effects, hospitalizations and other medications. Any patient requiring hospitalization was considered treatment failure, the researchers said. The data show that most patients had mild symptoms, with very few severe cases.
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Patients achieved a 50% reduction in symptoms after 6.7 days with usual care, 5.5 days with vitamin C, 5.9 days with zinc and 5.5 days for combination therapy.
“These results suggest that treatment with zinc, ascorbic acid, or both does not affect the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2,” wrote the study authors.
Scientists ended the trial early because the supplements had no effect. The study authors noted four serious events, including three deaths from COVID-19, that were not believed to be related to treatment. More patients receiving vitamin C have reported side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and cramps.
The study authors said there was “inconsistent” evidence for zinc and vitamin C as beneficial treatment for the common cold.
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The authors of the Cleveland Clinic study noted that zinc is known to help cells fight infection and strengthen the immune system, and that vitamin C “is an antioxidant that may play a role in the immune response. “, Although the role of vitamin C and zinc in the treatment of the coronavirus is less clear.
“However, based on the current study, these supplements cannot be recommended to reduce symptom morbidity in these patients,” the study said. “High-dose zinc gluconate, ascorbic acid, or both supplements did not reduce the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2. Most consumers of ascorbic acid and zinc take much lower doses of these. supplements, demonstrating that even high doses of ascorbic acid and zinc had no benefit suggests a clear lack of efficacy. “
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The study had some limitations, such as the lack of a placebo group and an open design, which meant patients knew what treatment they were receiving.
Researchers said that ongoing studies in China and the United States are looking at vitamin C given by IV to lower respiratory failure, which triggers ventilation in coronavirus patients.
Alexandria Hein of Fox News contributed to this report.
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