Potential Roles of Vitamins in the Management of COVID-19: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has caused a public health crisis worldwide. However, data regarding the protective factors of the disease is limited. Consequently, preventive health measures that can decrease the risk of infection, progression, and severity are dreadfully required. It is well-documented that people with immunodeficiency, such as the elderly, people who already have comorbidities (e.g., diabetes mellitus, hypertension, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders), and underrepresented minorities, are placed in a group with a higher risk of getting infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants plays an essential role in strengthening the immune system and fighting against invading pathogens. The present comprehensive review has discussed published literature regarding the potential role of vitamins in strengthening the immune system and managing viral infections, particularly SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although there are controversial data regarding the plasma level of vitamin D and the severity of the disease, according to the limited evidence, vitamin D may lower the mortality rate. Moreover, vitamin C could reduce the development of inflammatory response; however, the results of ongoing clinical trials are required to confirm these primary findings.

The Double-edged Sword of Antioxidant Supplements on Metabolic Diseases, A Necessity for Quantification of Oxidative Status

“…Antioxidants of vitamins D and C as immune boosters have been applied in enhancing the immune system, protecting from viral ISSN: 2833-4353 infection, and reducing inflammatory reactions to promote an improvement of immunity in fighting COVID-19 [6,7]. Vitamin C supplementation improves endothelial function and creatinine clearance in kidney transplant recipients despite it is prone to kidney stones and interacts with its essential medicine of cyclosporine [8].…”

The Double-edged Sword of Antioxidant Supplements on Metabolic Diseases, A Necessity for Quantification of Oxidative Status

“…Antioxidants of vitamins D and C as immune boosters have been applied in enhancing the immune system, protecting from viral infection and reducing inflammatory reactions to promote an improvement of immunity in fighting COVID-19 (6,7). Vitamin C supplementation improves endothelial function and creatinine clearance in kidney transplant recipients despite it is prone to kidney stones and interacts with its essential medicine of cyclosporine (8).…”

Role of vitamin C in preventing of COVID-19 infection, progression and severity

“…It also helps with severe care management. When infected with a virus or bacterium, a cytokine storm occurs [24] , which leads to increased oxidative stress and, as a result, disease [25] This approach may be helpful for COVID-19 with a high intravenous vitamin C dosage based on the results of three previous clinical trials including 146 sepsis patients, since large quantities of anti-oxidant agents may recognise the counteraction and executives of oxidative stress [26] . Supplementing with high doses of oral Vitamin C may decrease the risk of viral infection and ameliorate symptoms [27] , [28] .…”

“…In the end, all patients were healed and released from the hospital because of the better oxygenation record. A recent NIH expert board report says clearly that this regimen (1.5 g/kg body weight) is safe and free of significant regrettable occurrences [26] . In reality, large dosages of Vitamin C have been therapeutically used for quite some time.…”