VITAMINS AND COVID-19 — WHICH SHOULD YOU AVOID?
During this time, many are taking supplements to help improve their overall immunity in the hopes of preventing infection with viruses, including the COVID-19 coronavirus.
NOTE: THERE IS NO SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE TO DATE THAT ANY SUPPLEMENT CAN PREVENT INFECTION OF COVID-19
Many are asking what supplements should be taken, if any, to help prevent viral infections and which supplements should be avoided during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are learning more each day about the novel coronavirus, and the information provided is current as of this writing. Please realize some of the recommendations included here may change as new information is learned about COVID-19.
How did Covid-19 start?
The first patient believed to be infected with COVID-19 is a 57-year-old woman named Ms. Guixian, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. A seafood merchant in the Hua’nan marketplace, she began feeling ill around December 10th, 2019. Eight days later, she was admitted to the hospital with shortness of breath and other flu-like symptoms. She is believed to have since recovered. During the same time, 24 other people in the same province were infected.
According to DailyMail.co.uk, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention believe that the virus may have been passed on from a wildlife animal to humans at the marketplace.
SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 INFECTION
● Fever (44%-98%)
● Fatigue (69%)
● Cough (46%-82%)
● Shortness of breath (20–64%)
● Upper respiratory symptoms (5%-25%)
● Loss of smell (5%)
● Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (10%)
● Runny nose, sore throat, and sneezing (5%)
Fortunately, it appears up to 80 percent of those with the COVID-19 infection have mild flu-like symptoms, which may last up to two weeks. More serious symptoms affect around 20 percent of those infected, requiring hospitalization. It believed that two to five percent of those infected are at risk for death. Those over 65 and/or with chronic health conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, lung disease) are at higher risk than healthy children, although all ages can be affected.
Those with more severe symptoms may be ill for three to six weeks according to the evidence. Up to one in five who are infected will develop a secondary bacterial infection, such as pneumonia. This likely occurs as the immune system is weakened by the initial viral infection.
Further, 10 to 20 percent of those infected with COVID-19 may develop ARDS, also known as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. These individuals may require mechanical ventilation, also known as a breathing machine to survive. Other complications from the viral infection can include heart damage, kidney failure, liver inflammation, and ultimately death.
COVID-19 is a unique strain of the coronavirus, which appears to have a mortality rate (25 deaths per 1,000 infected) significantly higher than the seasonal influenza virus (one death per 1,000 infected).
Transmission
● Airborne droplets
● Surfaces (Survives on steel and plastic less than 72 hours, cardboard less than 24 hours)
PREVENTION AND RISK REDUCTION
● Wash hands in warm water and soap for 20 seconds
● Cough into tissue paper or sleeves
● Avoid shaking hands
● Wear a face mask (cloth, surgical or N95) in public
● Do not touch your face, eyes, nose, or mouth unless hands are clean
● Get adequate sleep (which restores the immune system)
● Practice stress management
● Consume a healthy diet (low in sugar, simple carbohydrates, and processed foods)
CYTOKINE STORM DANGERS
One of the ways by which one can become seriously ill from the COVID-19 infection is due to a phenomena known as the “cytokine storm.” This scenario can result in severe illness and even death. It can occur from any type of infection, including influenza or coronaviral infections, but occurs at a higher rate when infected with COVID-19.
Like many things in life, a small amount of something can be useful, but too much can be harmful. The immune system is no different. When immune-protecting hormones are made in normal quantities, they can help keep you safe and healthy. When these chemicals are made in excess, the results can be life-threatening.
A cytokine storm results in the overproduction of the normally helpful immune system chemicals, which are called cytokines. Made up of a combination of chemicals, cytokines deposit themselves in the lung’s cells, causing inflammation and breathing difficulty. When a cytokine storm occurs, death can occur if corrective measures are not undertaken.
MEDICATIONS BEING USED OR RESEARCHED
The following medications, which are prescribed by a physician, are being evaluated for their effectiveness in the treatment of those with acute COVID-19 infection, according to Harvard Medical School. At the time of this writing, we have no clear answer as to which work best.
● Hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine
● Zithromax
● Blood plasma from recovered patients (has antibodies)
● Remdesivir
● Intravenous vitamin C[vii]
Again, research as reported in JAMA is still being conducted on a variety of treatments, and we do not yet have conclusive evidence on the true effectiveness or dangers of any treatments being used for coronavirus (COVID-19). If you have tested positive or suspect you have COVID-19, you should only take medications that you’ve been cleared to take or prescribed by your physician.
Supplements LIKELY SAFE to take during a COVID-19 infection:
The following supplements are likely safe to take before, during, and after recovery from infection with COVID-19. However, this may change should new data suggest otherwise.
● Vitamin C — 500 to 1,000 mg once or twice per day
● Zinc — 15 to 30 mg per day, or as directed on the label
● Melatonin — 2 to 10 mg per day
● Garlic — as directed on the label
● Quercetin — as directed on the label
SUPPLEMENTS to AVOID (IF ACUTELY INFECTED)
Until we have more data, the following supplements should be avoided or at least used with extreme caution if you become acutely infected with COVID-19. They are generally regarded as safe in those hoping to prevent viral infections and may be used again once an individual recovered from COVID-19.
Avoidance is advised due to the fact that some evidence suggests that the following supplements may increase the cytokines IL-1B and IL-18, according to the Dr. Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine in Arizona.
The increase in these cytokines, among others, is what occurs during the cytokine storm.
● Elderberry — avoid during acute COVID-19 infection
● Vitamin D — avoid during acute COVID-19 infection
● Echinacea — avoid during acute COVID-19 infection
● Larch arabinogalactan — avoid during acute COVID-19 infection
This article is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health related diagnosis or treatment options. The claims made about specific supplements throughout this article are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
