Does Vitamin C Supplementation Prevent Coronavirus?

Check out this answer from Consensus:

Vitamin C supplementation shows promise in reducing the severity and mortality of COVID-19, particularly in critically ill patients. Its antioxidant and immune-supportive properties, combined with its safety and cost-effectiveness, make it a valuable adjunct in the treatment of COVID-19. However, more research is needed to confirm its role in prevention.

The potential role of Vitamin C supplementation in preventing and treating coronavirus infections, particularly COVID-19, has been a subject of significant interest. Various studies have explored its effects on immune function, inflammation, and overall disease outcomes.

Key Insights

• Immune Support and Antioxidant Properties:
  • Vitamin C is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-supportive properties, which may help in reducing the severity and duration of respiratory viral infections, including COVID-191 2 4 5.
• Reduction in Severity and Mortality:
  • Administration of high-dose Vitamin C has been associated with decreased severity of symptoms, improved oxygenation, reduced inflammatory markers, and lower mortality rates in critically ill COVID-19 patients2 5 6 9.
• Synergistic Effects with Other Compounds:
  • Combining Vitamin C with other compounds like quercetin or curcumin may enhance its antiviral and immunomodulatory effects, potentially offering a more effective therapeutic approach3 4.
• Safety and Cost-Effectiveness:
  • Vitamin C supplementation is generally safe, cost-effective, and can be rapidly scaled up, making it a viable option for widespread use, especially in low- and middle-income countries2 5 7.
• Inconclusive Evidence for Prevention:
  • While some studies suggest potential benefits, there is currently no conclusive evidence that Vitamin C supplementation alone can prevent COVID-19. More rigorous and larger-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to establish definitive preventive effects7 8 10.

Does Vitamin C supplementation prevent coronavirus?

Anitra Carr has answered Extremely Unlikely

An expert from University of Otago in Vitamin C

Vitamin C has well-known antioxidant and immune-enhancing functions[1], and its levels in the body decrease significantly during severe respiratory infections such as pneumonia[2], which is a major complication of COVID-19. Low vitamin C status may also increase susceptibility to severe respiratory infections, as indicated by pneumonia being a common complication of the vitamin C deficiency disease scurvy[3]. These observations indicate a strong link between vitamin C and immune defense against respiratory infections.

Meta-analysis of several studies investigating prophylactic vitamin C (at doses of 50 – 2,000 mg/day) for the prevention of pneumonia has indicated that the vitamin may decrease the incidence of pneumonia[4]. These studies were carried out in soldiers, marine recruits and institutionalized schoolboys. However, there is as yet no direct evidence that high oral doses (i.e. 3,000 mg/day) can specifically slow or stop infection by the latest coronavirus outbreak in the general population, particularly if already well-nourished. Specific subgroups, such as people with low vitamin C status, may however benefit from supplementation.

I submitted this comment originally on HealthFeedback.org here.

Does Vitamin C supplementation prevent coronavirus?

Margreet Vissers has answered Extremely Unlikely

An expert from University of Otago in Vitamin C, Biochemistry, Cancer Immunology

The story of vitamin C and infections, particularly viral infections, is a very hotly contested area, and unfortunately for many years lots of claims have been made both by proponents and skeptical medical doctors that are not founded in fact. Fortunately in the past few years much better scientific data is available and we should concentrate on this and review it carefully. The papers cited in the article are mostly quite old and are criticised for this reason (not always fair).

Here’s what I think is pertinent to the coronavirus discussion:

1) It is now well established that ​vitamin C is rapidly turned over in our bodies when we are sick, and that the normal daily intake of around 200 mg per day is nowhere near enough to keep up with demand. This is particularly the case for respiratory illness and sepsis. Also, the sicker you are, the more vitamin C is required to maintain your body’s supply. This amount was shown to be around 6 g per day for the severely ill[3].

2) Some recent studies have indicated a remarkable survival advantage when critically ill patients are given vitamin C. These studies have generated a lot of interest and there are a number of clinical trials underway at the moment[4].

3) We now know that vitamin C is necessary for dozens of critical body functions that require the body stores to be adequately maintained, and that we should maintain levels above 50 μM in plasma to achieve this.

Interestingly, a clinical trial for administration of vitamin C to patients with coronavirus has been registered in China. This will take the hype out of the discussions, hopefully.

However, prevention is quite a different matter than treatment. We really have no idea whether having more vitamin C will prevent anyone contracting the coronavirus. However, as it is a viral pneumonia, there is a distinct possibility that additional vitamin C may help with treatment. There are no studies with this virus that show this, but some benefit has been suggested with other severe respiratory illnesses. The clinical trial in China should address this issue.

This answer was originally posted on HealthFeedback.org

Does Vitamin C supplementation prevent coronavirus?

Matt Koci has answered Extremely Unlikely

An expert from North Carolina State University in Virology, Immunology, Microbiome, Agricultural Biotechnology

Vitamin C is an important part of a healthy, nutritious diet, and a well balanced diet is important for you to maintain the best level of fitness so your immune system can function optimally, but that does not mean it will prevent you from getting sick from this or any other infectious disease.