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Vitamin deficiency as risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection: correlation with susceptibility and prognosis

A Allegra1, A Tonacci, G Pioggia

  • 1Division of Hematology, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Messina, Italy. aallegra@unime.it.

European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
|October 5, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Vitamin supplementation with vitamins A, B, C, and D may offer a safe and inexpensive complementary therapy for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further clinical research is needed to confirm these potential benefits for COVID-19 patients.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Science
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • Virology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, emerged in 2019 with no definitive treatment.
  • Understanding risk factors for severe COVID-19 and mortality remains incomplete.
  • The role of population vitamin status in SARS-CoV-2 infection prognosis is under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review existing literature on vitamin status in relation to SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • To evaluate if vitamin deficiencies increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or severe complications.
  • To assess the potential therapeutic effects of vitamins A, B, C, and D in COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of studies examining vitamin A, B, C, and D levels in SARS-CoV-2 patients.
  • Analysis of indirect data and available evidence on vitamin supplementation efficacy.
  • Evaluation of the safety and cost-effectiveness of vitamin supplementation.

Main Results:

  • Current evidence for vitamin supplementation in COVID-19 is largely based on indirect data.
  • Preliminary findings suggest a potential favorable effect of vitamin supplementation on infection and complications.
  • Vitamins A, B, C, and D are explored for their role in managing SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin A, B, C, and D supplementation may be a safe, inexpensive therapeutic adjunct for COVID-19.
  • These vitamins could serve as a useful complementary approach in managing SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • Robust clinical trial data are required to substantiate the therapeutic claims for vitamin supplementation in COVID-19.

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