Vitamin C and Coronavirus

In the last period, there have been numerous hypotheses to seek natural or preventive cures aimed at defeating the current evil, that is the one caused by Covid 19.

Among the many remedies proposed, one in particular has found a wide interest, namely the integration of vitamin C, but will it be true? Let's try to find out together.

What is SARS-CoV-2?

It is a new strain of coronavirus that was never previously identified in humans before being reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019.

But the coronavirus family is very large, and viruses are known to cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses like Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Currently, a new pathological form known as Covid 19 is under study.

What is Vitamin C?

Let's start by trying to understand the role of this very important nutrient, also known as ascorbic acid.

Vitamin C undoubtedly has numerous beneficial functions.

1. It is a powerful antioxidant, and helps fight inflammation by reducing the presence of free radicals;
2. It is involved in immune functions, stimulating the activity of particular immune cells such as: phagocytes, responsible for phagocytizing (swallowing) foreign particles to our body and potentially harmful, and lymphocytes, a type of cell that increases circulating antibodies;
3. It intervenes in the absorption of iron;
4. Participates in the synthesis of collagen, helping the skin in its protective barrier function;
5. Promotes wound healing.

Satisfying the daily needs through diet alone is very simple, as it is contained in numerous fruits and vegetables and vegetables, such as: lemons, kiwis, oranges, strawberries, peppers, rocket, broccoli and lettuce.

In some scientific studies it has been observed that vitamin C can be a valid ally during the healing phase of a common cold, also helping to reduce the symptoms.

Vitamin C against the coronavirus

The debate on the use of vitamin C for the treatment of Covid 19 stems from a scientific publication in the Chinese Journal of Infection Diseases, and it seems that the Shanghai Medical Association has approved the use of high-dose vitamin C as a treatment for hospitalized people. with COVID-19.

Chinese researchers have also started a clinical trial to further study the effectiveness of vitamin C in people hospitalized with COVID-19.

However, it is important to note that vitamin C is not yet a standard part of the treatment plan for COVID-19, because scientific evidence is still lacking and currently no analysis suggests that high doses of oral vitamin C supplements can help with the disease.

In conclusion, vitamin C may help reduce the duration and severity of colds caused by other viruses, but this does not guarantee that it will have the same effect on the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Furthermore, ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin, that is, it dissolves in water, which means that excess quantities are not stored in the body but are eliminated through the urine. Therefore it is useless to take high doses of vitamin C by mouth, like a common dietary supplement.

While there is currently no cure for COVID-19, preventative measures, such as social distancing and proper hygiene, can help protect you from developing the disease.

Carr, Maggini. "Vitamin C and Immune Function." Nutrients. 2017

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/

Rogovskii. "The Linkage Between Inflammation and Immune Tolerance: Interfering with Inflammation in Cancer." Curr Cancer Drug Targets. 2017

Hemilä H, Chalker E. "Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold." Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04264533

https://www.salute.gov.it/portale/nuovocoronavirus/detailContentNuovoCoronavirus.jsp?language=italiano&id=5337&area=nuovoCoronavirus&menu=vuoto