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The Variable Nature of Vitamin C-Does It Help When Dealing with Coronavirus?
Katarzyna Grudlewska-Buda1, Natalia Wiktorczyk-Kapischke1, Anna Budzyńska1
1Department of Microbiology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 27, 2022
Summary
High-dose vitamin C (VC) shows limited impact on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mortality or hospitalization length. While it may influence inflammatory markers, potential side effects like urinary stones necessitate individual patient assessment for COVID-19 treatment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Infectious Diseases
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to spread globally, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment research explores various agents, including those with antioxidant properties like vitamin C (VC).
- SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines and serum biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current research on the efficacy of vitamin C (VC) in treating SARS-CoV-2 infections.
- To evaluate whether high-dose VC administration offers significant benefits in managing COVID-19.
- To assess the overall therapeutic choice of VC in COVID-19, considering potential risks and benefits.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on vitamin C and SARS-CoV-2.
- Analysis of data concerning the impact of VC on COVID-19 severity, mortality, and hospitalization.
- Examination of VC's effects on inflammatory markers and potential adverse events.
Main Results:
- High-dose intravenous vitamin C (HDIVC) did not significantly reduce mortality or hospitalization duration in COVID-19 patients.
- Some evidence suggests VC may influence serum levels of inflammatory markers.
- Potential adverse effects of VC include urinary stones and nephropathies, requiring careful consideration.
Conclusions:
- The use of high-dose vitamin C in COVID-19 treatment requires individualized assessment due to mixed evidence and potential risks.
- While generally neutral, VC administration is not a proven method for significantly improving outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 infections.
- Further research is needed to clarify the role of VC, considering factors like genetic variations affecting its absorption.
Keywords:
COVID-19SARS-CoV-2ascorbic acidinflammatory processnatural antioxidantsrespiratory distress syndromeMore Related Videos
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