Vitamins and nutritional supplements fail to reduce COVID death risk
New Horizons for Grassroots Influence compiled by Joyce
Vitamins are an important part of human health, but a comprehensive analysis recently published in the journal Clinical Nutrition suggests that vitamins (specifically vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc) may not be as protective once morest COVID-19 as the general public As big as imagined, it will not help reduce the risk of death from COVID-19. Experts stress that vaccination remains the only effective way to prevent severe illness.
In this meta-analysis, conducted by the University of Toledo, a U.S. research institution, researchers examined data from 26 studies of more than 5,600 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 that focused on understanding vitamins (especially vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc) in the treatment of COVID-19. In all 26 studies, patients who took vitamin C, vitamin D, or zinc supplements did not have a reduced risk of death from COVID-19 compared with patients who did not receive nutritional supplements.
Micronutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc have long been touted for their immune-boosting properties, which is why healthcare providers saw vitamins as a potential treatment in the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak. Azizullah Beran, MD, an internal medicine resident at the University of Toledo’s School of Medicine and Life Sciences, said many people mistakenly believe that ingesting zinc, vitamin D or vitamin C can help improve symptoms of COVID-19, but there is no research to prove that these practices actually work. That’s not to say that vitamins aren’t beneficial or necessary on their own, the researchers say, just that micronutrients won’t help prevent or treat COVID-19 unless a doctor directs them to take a particular vitamin because of a deficiency.
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The researchers noted that of the three micronutrients, vitamin D showed the most benefits for COVID-19 patients: Vitamin D supplementation reduces intubation rates and hospital stays in infected people, but researchers say more is needed in this segment research data to support. Instead of trying to supplement micronutrients, the researchers suggest that treatments that have been shown to significantly reduce severe illness and mortality from COVID-19, known as “vaccines,” are used. Ragheb Assaly, M.D., senior author and professor of medicine at the University of Toledo, noted in a press release that micronutrient supplements will not make up for shortfalls in vaccinations or even make them unnecessary.
Dr. Walter Willett, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard University, emphasized that taking vitamins or supplements is not effective in protecting yourself from COVID-19 infection or death. In addition, taking nutritional supplements that are not required or not recommended by your doctor may increase the risk of side effects and even vitamin toxicity. Dr. Beran further stated that the key to combating COVID-19 is prevention, not treatment, and three effective COVID-19 prevention methods that have been identified are vaccination, social distancing, and wearing masks.
Reference:
Taking Vitamins and Supplements Won’t Help Reduce Your Risk of Dying From COVID-19
