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With a Covid-19 vaccine still far ahead in the future for most of us, our new normal will continue for now.
Many are currently taking vitamin supplements to boost their immune systems and help them fight viruses like the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19.
While some of the so-called preventative supplements should be avoided altogether (like using bleach – don’t use that!), Taking vitamin D and zinc supplements could help boost your immune system.
But does it specifically prevent Covid-19?
At this point, the US National Institutes of Health conclude that there is insufficient evidence to show that vitamin D and zinc treat or prevent Covid-19.
But since scientists have noted some benefits of vitamin D and zinc against coronaviruses, let’s dig deeper into why these supplements could help fight coronavirus.
Low in vitamin D
Previous studies have shown that vitamin D reduces the risk of respiratory tract infections, in addition to Covid-19.
Although benefits varied widely between these studies, supplementation with vitamin D appeared to be more helpful for people who were deficient.
Rather, this would suggest that a vitamin D deficiency could increase the risk of respiratory tract infection and have an impact on the severity of symptoms.
Recent studies found that deaths from Covid-19 tend to be higher in countries farther from the equator, where many people are prone to vitamin D deficiency due to less exposure to sunlight, especially during winter.
A study published in October (2020) supports the importance of vitamin D for a healthy immune system.
In this study, patients with lower levels of vitamin D were more likely to test positive for Covid-19.
This held true even when other factors that could worsen Covid-19 were taken into account, such as age, obesity, and other medical conditions.
Still, these studies are observational, meaning that researchers collect data on participants over time, rather than assigning them specific treatments.
This means that it is almost impossible to show a direct cause and effect relationship between vitamin D and Covid-19.
To really prove a link, more randomized controlled trials are needed.
In one of these studies, doctors in Spain administered 76 patients with Covid-19 a treatment of hydroxychloroquine (a previously promising treatment for Covid-19) and azithromycin (an antibiotic).
Doctors also prescribed calcifediol, an active form of vitamin D, to 50 random patients.
The other 26 patients did not receive vitamin D.
Only one of the patients who received vitamin D as part of their treatment ended up in the intensive care unit (ICU).
But half of the group that did not receive vitamin D ended up in the ICU.
The results of this study suggest that vitamin D may help control symptoms in people with Covid-19 in ways that do not require intensive care.
However, more research is needed to know if this is true.
Egg yolks are a good source of vitamin D. – Wikimedia Commons
What about zinc?
Zinc is a micronutrient that affects all organs and cells and is the second most common trace mineral found in the human body.
It plays a fundamental role in regulating our metabolism and the immune system.
Many studies over time have shown that people with low levels of zinc are more likely to develop infections and certain health conditions.
A zinc deficiency inhibits immune function.
Even a mild or moderate level of zinc deficiency can affect the functions of white blood cells such as macrophages and neutrophils, as well as the activity of natural killer cells and complement.
This is because zinc is responsible for developing and activating T lymphocytes, which interact with their fellow specialized white blood cells to fight harmful microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria that invade our body.
So it’s pretty clear that our immune system would be impaired without proper zinc levels.
Some research has indicated that zinc can also help strengthen the immune system against Covid-19.
Spanish researchers reported finding a link between low blood zinc levels and poor health outcomes among Covid-19 patients in October (2020).
They examined data from 611 patients who had shown symptoms of Covid-19.
Among the 249 patients who died, their average blood zinc level was found to be 43 micrograms per deciliter.
In contrast, the mean blood zinc level of the survivors was 63 micrograms per deciliter, which is close to the normal level.
Most people usually get enough zinc from their diet, including oysters, red meat, whole grains, and dairy products. – Filepic
The researchers concluded that lower levels of zinc in patients at admission correlate with greater inflammation during the course of infection and a worse outcome.
However, they added that more studies are required to assess the therapeutic impact of this association.
A separate article that was recently published in Journal of Medical Virology He theorized that zinc can inhibit RNA (ribonucleic acid) viruses, including coronaviruses, and that this could be the antiviral effect we need against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
This hypothesis is partially based on a 2010 study, which found that zinc, when combined with an ionophore (a chemical that transports an ion across the cell membrane), inhibits the replication of the coronavirus that causes SARS (syndrome severe acute respiratory disease).
Improving immunity
So, should you take zinc and vitamin D supplements?
Zinc can help prevent cold symptoms from getting worse.
Most people get enough zinc from their food, for example, oysters, fortified cereals, beans, and dairy products.
However, some groups such as vegetarians, people with gastrointestinal diseases, and those who drink excess alcohol are at higher risk of zinc deficiency and should supplement their diet.
When you have a cold, you can take a zinc supplement that ranges from 13.3 milligrams to 23 milligrams every two hours for no more than a week.
Like zinc, we do not yet know if vitamin D will reduce Covid-19 symptoms; But considering its benefits for the immune system, it is a good reason to consider taking a vitamin D supplement.
A 10 microgram supplement a day is sufficient for most people.
Do not take more than 100 micrograms without supervision.
Vitamin D can also be found in fatty fish, egg yolks, red meat, and fortified cereals.
Remember, although zinc and vitamin D supplements are beneficial and recommended, they are still not a substitute for hand washing, masking, and practicing physical distancing.
Datuk Dr. Nor Ashikin Mokhtar is a consultant obstetrician and gynecologist, and a functional medicine practitioner. For more information, send an email to [email protected]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and should not be construed as personal medical advice. The information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant, or augment a consultation with a healthcare professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The star does not make any warranties about the accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other warranties regarding the content that appears in this column. The star disclaims all liability for loss, property damage or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly by reliance on such information.
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