Since Coronavirus is a new kind of virus, it is too early for doctors to claim anything. All possible treatments are under the baby stage, and vitamin C is yet to be tested to prove its effects on viruses. There is still a lack of evidence that can prove that vitamin C can slow down or treat the virus, and there is no evidence either that proves that vitamin C is harmful to people who have found positive with Coronavirus. Researchers are testing vitamin C in the form of IV (intravenous infusions) instead of OTC supplements.
What research and evidence have to say?
A few types of research have shown a positive sign that vitamin C could be helpful to prevent COVID-19. One clinical study is still pending, which is scheduled to finish by September 2020.
Meanwhile, the study in favor of vitamin C against Coronavirus has been done at health conditions like the need for mechanical ventilation and acute respiratory distress in severe cases of Coronavirus. It is yet to be tested on people suffering from COVID-19.
A meta-analysis of 9 on-going clinical studies in 2020 has compared a group of people who got IV drips. On average, the length of ventilation has been shortened by 14% with vitamin C. The effect varies from one study to another, and it was way larger when it took more extended ventilation periods for the control group.
In a meta-analysis conducted in 2019, infusions of vitamin C have found to shorten the ICU stays by around 7.8% and ventilation by 18.2%. It covered a vast range of medical conditions, but not COVID-19.
A randomized controlled trial had been conducted in 2019 on people with acute respiratory failure on the severe level and sepsis (the complications people may have with severe COVID-19). People had to choose from either vitamin C infusion or placebo. The rate of sepsis or organ failure hasn’t had any improvement with vitamin C, and a few people died in this group.
People suffering from severe pneumonia were compared in a study in 2018 who got thiamine, vitamin C, and hydrocortisone drips with the patients who didn’t. The study found better outcomes in the vitamin C group. The chances of deaths were far less, and better improvements have come up in lung scans.
Bottom Line
Vitamin C may be helpful in controlling the severity of symptoms of COVID-19, as suggested by research currently. But don’t consider it as a treatment or a way to prevent COVID-19 soon. It is still a new condition, and research is subject to change continually as scientists add more participants to further study. As the pandemic goes further, a medical examination will also progress on the treatment and prevention of the disease and whether any home remedy can help.
Without any concrete evidence or information, it is not easy to tell which treatment may help and which not. If you feel that or you have Coronavirus, please stay home and call your doctor about the best treatment plan.
