Although vitamin C and zinc are frequently used to treat colds and flu, they have no impact on individuals infected with nCoV.
On February 12, the research was published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open. "Unfortunately, vitamin C and zinc do not have as much effect with Covid-19 as many would anticipate," stated Johns Hopkins University Associate Professor Dr. Erin Michos.
The clinical study included 214 individuals infected with nCoV divided into three groups. The first group received vitamin C supplements, the second received zinc supplements, and the third received both drugs. The fourth control group did not utilize these agents and instead received conventional care (rest, fluids, antipyretic).
"High dosages of zinc, vitamin C, or both do not decrease nCoV symptoms," concluded Dr. Milind Desai, co-author of the research and a Cleveland Clinic cardiologist.
Taking large amounts of vitamin C and zinc has a number of unfavorable side effects. "Nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps were reported more often in the supplement group than in the conventional therapy group," Michos said.
Many Americans take vitamin C and zinc as a preventative measure for viral colds and flu. This is an antioxidant that plays an essential function in immune system support. Although not yet shown to help prevent illness, previous study has indicated that vitamin C decreases cold cases by 8% in adults and 14% in children.
Many studies indicate that zinc aids the body's cells in fighting illnesses. Zinc deficiency, on the other hand, increases proinflammatory cytokines and reduces antibody synthesis, both of which are essential components of the immune system.
Overdosing on zinc and vitamin C has many negative side effects. Taking vitamin C after cold symptoms begin, according to the National Institutes of Health, does not provide much benefit.
Overdoing on vitamin C causes belching, heartburn, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches. The average daily recommended intake of vitamin C for women is 75 mg and 90 mg for adult males.
More than 40 mg of zinc per day may induce dry mouth, nausea, lack of appetite, and diarrhea, as well as an unpleasant metallic taste when consumed.
Long-term zinc use, according to the National Institutes of Health, decreases blood copper levels, weakens immunity, and lowers HDL-cholesterol (a type of healthy cholesterol). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning in 2009 about the use of zinc nasal sprays, which had been associated to more than 100 instances of loss of smell.
Researchers are still investigating the function of vitamins and other supplements in the treatment of Covid-19. Several randomized controlled studies are now being conducted to investigate the function of vitamin D. Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory effects in addition to promoting healthy bone formation.
Scientists from the United States and China are investigating the efficacy of intravenous vitamin C injections in the treatment of patients with acute respiratory failure who need mechanical ventilation. Much research is being conducted to determine the efficacy of vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc in the prevention of Covid-19. However, according to this recently published research, combining vitamin C and zinc to reduce the duration of nCoV infection seems to be ineffective.
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