COVID
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has long been considered anti-viral and supports the human immune system through a variety of pathways. It’s essential for the function of neutrophil, macrophages, and t-cells, some of the cells responsible for mounting the initial immune response to an infection in our bodies. Deficiencies in Vitamin C have been linked to increased viral, blood, and respiratory infections in various studies as well as increased severity of infections. Proposed dosing for both prophylactic (preventative) and treatment of mild cases of COVID is 500 mg of Vitamin C twice daily. 1 Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin meaning any extra that our bodies don’t use will be excreted in our urine making it an extremely safe supplement. The water solubility does make it harder for our bodies to absorb so taking Vitamin C in liposomal form (in a fat based liquid) can increase absorption. Buy Now
Quercetin
Quercetin is a plant based flavonoid found in vegetables, leaves, seeds and some grains. While research into the immune effects of quercetin is relatively new it has already been found to have a wide variety of effects that could significantly impact immune function. It has been shown in studies to promote antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immunoprotective effects, allowing our bodies to work at peak performance in keeping us safe and fighting viruses such as COVID-19. In vitro studies have shown Quercetin has ability to both block virus entry into cells as well as inhibit viral replication potentially preventing infections following exposure to a virus. Quercetin is a great choice to co-administer with Vitamin C to prevent viral infection and increase our bodies ability to fight the infection. Proposed dosing for both prophylactic use and treatment of mild cases of COVID is 250-500mg twice daily.1 Buy Now
Zinc
Zinc has long been known for its ability to shorten the duration of colds. Zinc is essential for the function of hundreds of enzymes in the human body and is needed for the development and maintenance of immune system cells especially T-Cells. Acute zinc deficiency has been shown to result in dysfunctional cell-mediated immunity and long term zinc deficiency has been shown to increase inflammation and inflammatory biomarkers making it harder for our bodies to fight off new infections. In the elderly low Zinc levels have been shown to increase risk for pneumonia. 2 It is recommended that women get at least 8mg of zinc daily and men 11mg. The upper limit of intake is not suggested to exceed 40mg of zinc daily.3 Long term high dose zinc use can potentially cause copper deficiency so consider supplementing with copper as well. Buy Now
Selenium
Selenium is one of the few immune regulating studies to have research studies already completed in relation to COVID-19. Selenium is required for antioxidant based defense within our bodies. A study from China has already reported an associated between selenium levels and COVID-19 survival rates. Patients selenium status was significantly high in surviving COVID-19 inpatients compared with non-survivors.4 Selenium deficiency can increase oxidative stress allowing mild viral infections to become highly virulent and infectious causing more serious cases of COVID-19 in those suffering from undiagnosed selenium deficiencies. Selenium is also thought to play a role in protection of the respiratory system during viral infections. A study previously found that selenium deficiency was associated with increased influenza-induced lung pathology due to an overexpression of inflammatory factors. 5 Recommended daily intake of Selenium for adults is 55mcg a day with an upper intake limit of 400mcg per day. 6 Buy Now
- Colunga Biancatelli RML, Berrill M, Catravas JD and Marik PE (2020) Quercetin and Vitamin C: An Experimental, Synergistic Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 Related Disease (COVID-19). Front. Immunol. 11:1451. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01451
- Alexander J, Tinkov A, Strand TA, Alehagen U, Skalny A, Aaseth J. Early Nutritional Interventions with Zinc, Selenium and Vitamin D for Raising Anti-Viral Resistance Against Progressive COVID-19. Nutrients. 2020 Aug 7;12(8):2358. doi: 10.3390/nu12082358. PMID: 32784601; PMCID: PMC7468884.
- Zinc. (2020, November 17). Retrieved April 10, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-zinc/art-20366112
- Moghaddam A, Heller RA, Sun Q, Seelig J, Cherkezov A, Seibert L, Hackler J, Seemann P, Diegmann J, Pilz M, Bachmann M, Minich WB, Schomburg L. Selenium Deficiency Is Associated with Mortality Risk from COVID-19.Nutrients. 2020 Jul 16; 12(7):.
- Beck M.A., Nelson H.K., Shi Q., Van Dael P., Schiffrin E.J., Blum S., Barclay D., Levander O.A. Selenium deficiency increases the pathology of an influenza virus infection. FASEB J. 2001;15:1481–1483. doi: 10.1096/fj.00-0721fje