Combined inhalational and oral supplementation of ascorbic acid may prevent influenza pandemic emergency: A hypothesis

Abstract

Occurrence of influenza pandemics is a worldwide phenomenon and a significant cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the globe. It is due to mutations in the influenza virus genetic material creating antigenic drift of pathogenic viral proteins resulting in emergence of new influenza virus strains. Therefore, the vaccines available for prevention of influenza offer no protection against influenza pandemics caused by new virus strains. Moreover, the existing drugs used to combat influenza may be ineffective to treat influenza pandemics due to the emergence of drug resistance in the pandemic virus strain. Therefore, a working strategy must be developed to combat influenza pandemics. In this review we have addressed this problem and reviewed the published studies on ascorbic acid in the common cold and influenza and laboratory studies on the effect of ascorbic acid on influenza virus. We have also correlated the clinical and laboratory studies and developed a hypothesis to prevent influenza pandemics.

Overview of the possible role of vitamin C in management of COVID-19

“…As this dose cannot be obtained from diet, oral vitamin C supplement might be recommended for people at risk of respiratory tract infection. It is hypothesised that a combined oral and inhalational vitamin C supplement maintain high level of vitamin C in bronchial epithelium and respiratory secretions which could have a protective antiviral effect against influenza virus [ 28 ]. Twenty-nine meta-analyses involving 11,077 participants showed that routine prophylaxis of high dose of vitamin C in normal population did not decrease the incidence of common cold [ 29 ].…”

Antioxidant Therapy as a Potential Approach to Severe Influenza-Associated Complications

“…Pneumonia was reported in two subjects in the treatment group and 10 in the control group, and hospital stays for influenza or related complications averaged nine days in the vitamin C group and 12 days in the control group [81]. Therefore it has been considered that combined inhalation and oral supplementation of ascorbic acid may prevent influenza virus infection [82].…”

Role of food nutrients and supplementation in fighting against viral infections and boosting immunity: A review

“…A high dose of vitamin C (12 g per day) significantly improved the condition of patients suffering from severe acute respiratory tract infections ( Kakodkar, Kaka, & Baig, 2020 ). Similarly, Banerjee and Kaul (2010) reported that the mega doses of vitamin C can be used to treat the common cold and flu in children. The administration of 15 g vitamin C per day decreased the mortality rate in the COVID-19 patients ( Carr, 2020 ).…”