Using vitamin C and zinc to treat coronavirus symptoms is not helpful, as per a new study published Friday on Jama Open Network.
In this clinical trial of 214 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection receiving outpatient care, there was no significant difference in symptom duration among the 4 groups.
Zinc gluconate and ascorbic acid are commonly found over-the-counter that patients take for the treatment of viral illnesses.
Zinc is said to increase the ability of polymorphonuclear cells to fight infection, and vitamin c or ascorbic acid is an antioxidant that may be part of an immune response.
Methodist Methodist Erin Michos of John Hopkins and Dr. Miguel Cainzos-Achirica said “Unfortunately, these 2 accessories didn’t live up to their hype,”
Limited evidence suggests that high doses of ascorbic acid and zinc gluconate may reduce the duration of common cold symptoms and reduce the severity of symptoms.
However, the role of zinc gluconate and ascorbic acid in reducing symptoms and improving recovery in patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection is uncertain.
Michos, an associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Cainzos-Achirica, assistant professor of immune physiology at Houston Methodist, wrote: “More side effects (nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps) in the restorative groups. than in the normal care group. “