<h3>Benefits of Vitamin Supplementation in COVID-19: The Anti-Oxidants, A, C &amp; D</h3>
Since treatment options to prevent and even treat COVID-19 are limited, the use of vitamins and mineral supplementation is worth exploring. Let's take a look at what some of the research says about the benefits of vitamin supplementation in COVID-19.
<h3>The Immune-mediating, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Roles of Vitamins A</h3>
Increasing the level of antioxidant nutrients within the body is thought to have a beneficial effect. And the dietary supplementation of nutrients has been recognized to alter the clinical course and health of patients. Vitamin A supplementation is helpful in many conditions. For example, vitamin A improves pulmonary function test results, has been found to have antimicrobial qualities, addresses vitamin A deficiency to effectively aid in tuberculosis prevention, and has antioxidative properties.

<strong>How does this relate to the benefits of vitamin A in COVID-19?</strong> The pulmonary, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial roles of vitamin A may provide a crucial element in the fight against viral diseases, including COVID-19! Both oxidative

[caption id="attachment_4410" align="alignright" width="425"]<img class="wp-image-4410" src="https://www.drfields.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Antioxidants-500x500.png" alt="Antioxidants" width="425" height="425" /> <strong>                      <em>The Benefits of Vitamins During COVID-19</em></strong>[/caption]

damage and the regenerative capacity of the lungs may be mediated through vitamin A-dependent mechanisms. Plus, it is possible that vitamin A is combats viral infections. Because of its role in helping with pulmonary conditions and in building the immune system, oral supplementation of vitamin A is a current topic of investigation in the treatment of COVID-19. 1

&nbsp;
<h3>What About Vitamin C? Does it Help During COVID-19?</h3>
Other antioxidants are being studied concerning their role to combat COVID-19. The role these vitamins play in the body and how each boosts the immune system, their role in respiratory infections, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and COVID-19...are all being examined. Vitamin C has an important antioxidant role, plus it may help in the stress response. Vitamin C has been encouraged as a treatment for respiratory infections since the 1930's. We are all familiar with it's popularity for the prevention and alleviation of the common cold. And it may also have an antival effect.

Studies do support the beneficial role of vitamin C in reducing the incidence and severity of both bacterial and viral infections. Vitamin C is being investigated as a possible treatment to offset the effects of inflammation and oxidative stress seen in sepsis and ARDS. And there is evidence to suggest that vitamin C helps to regulate the process that occurs in the damaging 'cytokine storm' in COVID-19. Its possible benefits, plus low cost, and safety profile make it an attractive candidate to help with the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. 1
<h3>What Are the Potential Benefits from Vitamin D Supplementation During the COVID-19 Pandemic?</h3>
The protective role of vitamin D in cardiovascular disease is well established, as it may significantly increase a person's risk of stroke, heart disease, and even death. Plus, intake of vitamin D, as most of us are aware, plays a key role in bone health. Check out our other article which discusses the many benefits of vitamin D called, "<a title="Vitamin D: It’s Not Just For Bones Anymore" href="https://www.drfields.com/articles/health-news/vitamin-d-its-not-just-for-bones-anymore/">Vitamin D: It’s Not Just For Bones Anymore."</a>
<h4><em><strong>But are there any potential benefits from vitamin D supplementation during the COVID-19 pandemic?</strong></em></h4>
Vitamin D benefits the immune system. It plays a role in helping in chronic and acute inflammatory disorders, including autoimmune disease and infections. In fact, higher levels of vitamin D are associated with reduced risk for developing multiple sclerosis, gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders, type 1 diabetes and other immune-mediated disease. In addition, it has been suggested that vitamin D could reduce the effect on the exacerbation of the immune response and the complications in the ARDS condition in COVID-19. And therefore, it may play a promising role in COVID-19 treatments.1,2

Researchers are studying the way vitamin D helps with the immune and inflammatory response in the body, and some studies show that vitamin D supplementation could lower the risk of acute respiratory infections. The British Dietetic Association recommends taking a daily supplement containing 10 µg to ensure a healthy vitamin D status (for adults and children over the age of one).3 And ‘The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing' says that vitamin D could benefit vulnerable adults, in particularly those over 70 years. (<a href="https://tilda.tcd.ie/publications/reports/pdf/Report_Covid19VitaminD.pdf" rel="noopener" data-ga-action="click_feat_suppl">https://tilda.tcd.ie/publications/reports/pdf/Report_Covid19VitaminD.pdf)4</a>
<div class="page" title="Page 2">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">

Even though appropriate vitamin D doses have been shown to provide benefits, especially considering that deficiency in vitamin D leaves people vulnerable to other diseases, there has been some concern that higher doses may be harmful for those who also use ACE inhibitors.5 With that in mind, one study suggests a limiting consumption to a daily dose of 800-1000 IU of vitamin D to sufficiently meet the needs of most of the population.6
<h3>We'll Need to Continue Weighing the Benefits and Risks of Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation for COVID-19</h3>
Further clinical trials are needed to assess the potential benefits of vitamin and mineral supplementation, including the anti-oxidants A,C &amp; D, for the prevention and treatment of the COVID-19 infection. In the meantime, follow your physicians recommendations for the best vitamin and mineral supplementation to benefit you personally, eat healthy foods, stay active, and try your best to limit stress in your life for the maintainance of your overall health.
<h3>References:</h3>
</div>
</div>
</div>
1 Jovic, Thomas H., et al. "Could vitamins help in the fight against COVID-19?." <i>Nutrients</i> 12.9 (2020): 2550.

2 Khare D, Godbole NM, Pawar SD, Mohan V, Pandey G, Gupta S, et al.<span class="ref-title">Calcitriol [1, 25[OH]2 D3] pre- and post-treatment suppresses inflammatory response to influenza A (H1N1) infection in human lung A549 epithelial cells</span>. <span class="ref-journal">Eur J Nutr</span> 2013; <span class="ref-vol">52</span>:1405–15.

3 Verdoia, Monica, and Giuseppe De Luca. "Potential role of hypovitaminosis D and Vitamin D supplementation during COVID-19 pandemic." <i>QJM: An International Journal of Medicine</i> (2020).

4https://tilda.tcd.ie/publications/reports/pdf/Report_Covid19VitaminD.pdf. Accessed January 23, 2021.

5Fang L, Karakiulakis G, Roth M. Are patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus at increased risk for COVID-19 infection? Lancet Respir Med. 2020;8(4): e21.

6Mansour, Asieh, Mohammad Reza Mohajeri-Tehrani, and Sayed Mahmoud Sajjadi-Jazi. "Vitamin D supplementation in COVID-19: A friend or foe?." <i>EXCLI journal</i> 19 (2020): 1166-1168.

<a class="buttonlink" href="https://www.drfields.com/contact/"> Schedule Your Appointment Today!</a>