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Related Concept Videos

Vitamins01:30

Vitamins

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Vitamins, derived from the Latin word for life, are essential organic substances required in small quantities for optimal growth and overall well-being. Unlike other organic nutrients, vitamins don't act as sources of energy or building materials but rather facilitate these nutrients' utilization by the body. Vitamins are predominantly coenzymes, assisting enzymes in specific chemical actions, like the oxidation of glucose for energy involving B vitamins. Most vitamins are not produced...
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Connective Tissue Cell Types01:22

Connective Tissue Cell Types

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Connective tissue develops from the mesoderm of a developing embryo and consists of cells, fibers, and ground substance: a gel-like material containing large complexes of carbohydrates and proteins. Connective tissue was first identified as a separate tissue family in the 18th century, and Johannes Peter Muller coined the term connective tissue.
Fat cells (adipocytes), smooth muscle cells (myoblasts), and bone cells (osteoblasts) are some connective tissue cell types. Some immune system cells...
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Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

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The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
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Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Food and Drug–Viral Interactions01:26

Pharmacokinetics: Drug–Food and Drug–Viral Interactions

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A drug interaction occurs when the concurrent use of another drug, food, or an external substance alters the pharmacological activity of a drug. This interaction can modify the action of the original drug, affecting its effectiveness and safety.Drug–food interactions are significant as they impact drug absorption, metabolism, and excretion. For example, grapefruit juice is a well-known disruptor of drug metabolism. It inhibits the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme, crucial for the metabolism of...
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Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health01:25

Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health

4.5K
The growth and maintenance of bone are regulated by a combination of nutritional factors, including vitamins, such as vitamin A, B12, C, D, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
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Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

1.2K
The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 18, 2025

A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells
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A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells

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Vitamin C and COVID-19.

Harri Hemilä1, Angelique M E de Man2

  • 1Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

Frontiers in Medicine
|February 4, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Vitamin C supplementation may shorten respiratory infections in humans and reduce intensive care unit (ICU) stays for critically ill patients. This essential nutrient is safe, inexpensive, and shows potential in managing sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Keywords:
artificial respirationascorbic acidcoronaviruscritical carepneumoniarespiratory distress syndromerespiratory tract infections

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Author Spotlight: Advancements in Multiplex Detection of Respiratory Viruses
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Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Science
  • Infectious Disease Research
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is recognized for its role in preventing and alleviating viral and bacterial infections in animal models.
  • Human trials suggest vitamin C influences viral infections, particularly respiratory viruses, by shortening infection duration.
  • Critically ill patients often exhibit depleted plasma vitamin C levels, necessitating higher doses for restoration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of vitamin C in managing viral infections in humans.
  • To assess the impact of vitamin C supplementation on critically ill patients, including ICU stay duration and mortality.
  • To consider vitamin C's potential role in treating acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • Review of placebo-controlled trials in humans examining vitamin C's effect on respiratory viral infections.
  • Analysis of meta-analyses assessing vitamin C's impact on ICU length of stay and mechanical ventilation duration.
  • Examination of randomized controlled trials investigating vitamin C's effect on sepsis patient mortality.

Main Results:

  • Meta-analyses indicate vitamin C reduces ICU length of stay by approximately 8% and shortens mechanical ventilation duration.
  • Two randomized placebo-controlled trials demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in mortality among sepsis patients.
  • Vitamin C supplementation effectively raises plasma vitamin C levels in critically ill patients to those of healthy individuals.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin C is a safe, inexpensive, and essential nutrient with demonstrated benefits for viral infections and critical care.
  • Evidence supports vitamin C's role in reducing recovery time and mortality in specific patient populations, including sepsis.
  • Further consideration of vitamin C for ARDS, a complication of COVID-19 pneumonia, is warranted.