But protective effects seen only among women, study finds
Summary:
Taking multivitamins, omega-3, probiotics or vitamin D supplements may lessen the risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 infection -- at least among women, indicates a large population study.
Full Story:
Taking multivitamins, omega-3, probiotics or vitamin D supplements may lessen the risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 infection -- at least among women -- indicates a large population study, published online in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health.
But taking any of vitamin C, zinc, or garlic supplements wasn't associated with a lower risk of testing positive for the virus, the findings show.
There has been plenty of celebrity endorsement of the use of dietary supplements to both ward off and treat COVID-19 infection since the start of the pandemic, note the researchers.
In the UK alone, market share rose by 19.5% in the period leading up to the first national 'lockdown' on March 23 last year, with sales of vitamin C rising by 110% and those of multivits by 93%.
Similarly, zinc supplement sales rose by 415% in the first week of March, at the height of COVID-19 fears in the USA.
Dietary supplements can help to support a healthy immune system, but whether specific supplements might be associated with a lower risk of catching SARS-CoV-2 isn't known.
In a bid to plug this knowledge gap, the researchers drew on adult users of the COVID-19 Symptom Study app to see if regular supplement users were less likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2.
The app was launched in the UK, the US, and Sweden in March 2020 to capture self-reported information on the evolution of the pandemic.
Initially, it recorded the location, age and core health risk factors of its users. But as time went on, subscribers were asked to provide daily updates on a range of issues, including symptoms, coronavirus test results, and healthcare. People without obvious symptoms were also encouraged to use it.
For the purposes of this study, the researchers analysed information supplied by 372,720 UK subscribers to the app about their regular use of dietary supplements throughout May, June, and July 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic as well as any coronavirus swab test results.
Between May and July,175,652 UK subscribers regularly took dietary supplements;197,068 didn't. Around two thirds (67%) were women and over half were overweight (BMI of 27).
In all, 23,521 people tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 349,199 tested negative between May and July.
Taking probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, multivits or vitamin D was associated with a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection: by 14%, 12%, 13% and 9%, respectively, after accounting for potentially influential factors, including underlying conditions and usual diet.
No such effects were observed among those taking vitamin C, zinc, or garlic supplements.
And when the researchers looked specifically at sex, age and weight (BMI), the protective associations for probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, multivits and vitamin D were observed only in women of all ages and weights. No such clear associations were seen in men.
Despite some differences, the same overall patterns were mirrored in both the US (45,757) and Swedish (27,373) subscribers.
The equivalent figures for the US and Sweden were a reduced risk of:18% and 37%, respectively for probiotics; 21% and 16%, respectively, for omega-3 fatty acids; 12% and 22%, respectively for multivits; and 24% and 19%, respectively, for vitamin D supplements.
This is an observational study, and as such, can't establish cause. The researchers also acknowledge several limitations, including that the study relied on self reported data and a self selected group. No information was collected on supplement doses or ingredients either.
But although the observed effects were modest, they were significant, note the researchers, who call for large clinical trials to inform evidence-based therapeutic recommendations.
"We know that a range of micronutrients, including vitamin D, are essential for a healthy functioning immune system. This, in turn, is key to prevention of, and recovery from, infections.
"But to date, there is little convincing evidence that taking nutritional supplements has any therapeutic value beyond maintaining the body's normal immune response," comments Professor Sumantra Ray, Executive Director, NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health, which co-owns the journal.
"What's more, this study wasn't primarily designed to answer questions about the role of nutritional supplements in COVID-19. This is still an emerging area of research that warrants further rigorous study before firm conclusions can be drawn about whether specific nutritional supplements might lessen the risk of COVID-19 infection," he cautions."
Full Story:
Taking multivitamins, omega-3, probiotics or vitamin D supplements may lessen the risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 infection -- at least among women -- indicates a large population study, published online in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health.
But taking any of vitamin C, zinc, or garlic supplements wasn't associated with a lower risk of testing positive for the virus, the findings show.
There has been plenty of celebrity endorsement of the use of dietary supplements to both ward off and treat COVID-19 infection since the start of the pandemic, note the researchers.
In the UK alone, market share rose by 19.5% in the period leading up to the first national 'lockdown' on March 23 last year, with sales of vitamin C rising by 110% and those of multivits by 93%.
Similarly, zinc supplement sales rose by 415% in the first week of March, at the height of COVID-19 fears in the USA.
Dietary supplements can help to support a healthy immune system, but whether specific supplements might be associated with a lower risk of catching SARS-CoV-2 isn't known.
In a bid to plug this knowledge gap, the researchers drew on adult users of the COVID-19 Symptom Study app to see if regular supplement users were less likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2.
The app was launched in the UK, the US, and Sweden in March 2020 to capture self-reported information on the evolution of the pandemic.
Initially, it recorded the location, age and core health risk factors of its users. But as time went on, subscribers were asked to provide daily updates on a range of issues, including symptoms, coronavirus test results, and healthcare. People without obvious symptoms were also encouraged to use it.
For the purposes of this study, the researchers analysed information supplied by 372,720 UK subscribers to the app about their regular use of dietary supplements throughout May, June, and July 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic as well as any coronavirus swab test results.
Between May and July,175,652 UK subscribers regularly took dietary supplements;197,068 didn't. Around two thirds (67%) were women and over half were overweight (BMI of 27).
In all, 23,521 people tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and 349,199 tested negative between May and July.
Taking probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, multivits or vitamin D was associated with a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection: by 14%, 12%, 13% and 9%, respectively, after accounting for potentially influential factors, including underlying conditions and usual diet.
No such effects were observed among those taking vitamin C, zinc, or garlic supplements.
And when the researchers looked specifically at sex, age and weight (BMI), the protective associations for probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, multivits and vitamin D were observed only in women of all ages and weights. No such clear associations were seen in men.
Despite some differences, the same overall patterns were mirrored in both the US (45,757) and Swedish (27,373) subscribers.
The equivalent figures for the US and Sweden were a reduced risk of:18% and 37%, respectively for probiotics; 21% and 16%, respectively, for omega-3 fatty acids; 12% and 22%, respectively for multivits; and 24% and 19%, respectively, for vitamin D supplements.
This is an observational study, and as such, can't establish cause. The researchers also acknowledge several limitations, including that the study relied on self reported data and a self selected group. No information was collected on supplement doses or ingredients either.
But although the observed effects were modest, they were significant, note the researchers, who call for large clinical trials to inform evidence-based therapeutic recommendations.
"We know that a range of micronutrients, including vitamin D, are essential for a healthy functioning immune system. This, in turn, is key to prevention of, and recovery from, infections.
"But to date, there is little convincing evidence that taking nutritional supplements has any therapeutic value beyond maintaining the body's normal immune response," comments Professor Sumantra Ray, Executive Director, NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health, which co-owns the journal.
"What's more, this study wasn't primarily designed to answer questions about the role of nutritional supplements in COVID-19. This is still an emerging area of research that warrants further rigorous study before firm conclusions can be drawn about whether specific nutritional supplements might lessen the risk of COVID-19 infection," he cautions."
Words above taken from Science Daily here
h/t Marks Daily Apple here
Other Covid Related Posts
35 comments:
Wonderful post. Even with out covid we should be taking care of our immune systems. Love this post. Have a great day.
Well, I didn't know that. It just makes sense to have good all-round health though doesn't it. Take care and have a lovely weekend Jan & Eddie xx
Great post, thank you
I remember to take at least one vitamin or mineral a day. I'm adding Omega-3 after reading up about osteopenia. I also switched to loose green instead of in plastic bags and containers.
Interesting information, thanks for sharing! Valerie
Eating healthily (and taking supplements where necessary) never goes astray. I suspect that even if a good diet doesn't protect you against Covid 19, it does better equip your body to deal with it.
Thanks for the info!
Have a lovely day!
Thanks for the information.
Thanks for sharing!
...Multivitamins, omega-3, probiotics, vitamin D and a vaccination will lessen the risk of Covid-19.
I find vitamin D helps lessen cold symptoms as well, maybe even as much or more than vitamin C.
That's interesting information.
Whatever strengthens our immunity can be of help in fighting covid-19.
I'm familiar with omega- 3, vitamin D-3, vitamin C, zinc, garlic, and know they can play a beneficial role in boosting our immune system.
Interesting post. Supplements can really make a difference when getting all those nutrients via a good diet can be difficult.
Gracias por la información es muy útil. Te mando un beso y buen fin de semana
I only wish and hope supplements here in United States would be regulated.
Coffee is on and stay safe
So glad I'm fully vaccinated, but this is still valuable information about our immune system.
Eating a balanced diet is better but then some people don't do that so it's sometimes for certain people to take these 'things'..
There is much information out there regarding vitamin supplements. It doesn't all agree. At least taking a supplement is not harmful, although some doctors say they just create expensive urine.
Beautiful blog
Interesting, thanks for putting all that fact finding together, What I took from it is that we are all hoping for a miracle answer to keeping covid at bay and there isn't one but it's good to take supplements in the context of keeping our immune system as strong as possible nonethe less. I am wondering if Elderberry juice is going to be the new miracle health supplement, research was being done it a few years ago for treating cold/flu virus.
Thanks for this info!!!
Greetings Elke
wonderful post dear Jan!
thank you for sharing updated researches specially ,so true that in the beginning people ran for madly not for just toilet papers but certain vitamins C particularly
i hope abundance of sunlight will provide enough vitamin D to inhabitants here in southern Asian countries ,yet strict lockdown is applied here once again
Interesting information.
A brilliant post, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Thank you so much!
I had been wondering whether to take extra supplements. I already take a multivitamin and omega 3. As my immune system isn't that strong, I will give the ones you mention here a try.😊😊
Thank you again!
Have a great weekend!
Hugs xxx
Thanks for sharing the info, we all need to stay healthy.
Take care, enjoy your weekend!
It's been interesting watching what the scientists are learning about Cvoid as we go through it. Thanks for this informative post. I enjoyed it.
Muy interesante, me ha encantado. Besos.
This is really good information. We should all take it to heart.
Helpful post, Jan. Thanks. My doc recommends Vit D.
Whether it has an impact on COVID-19 or not, these are solid recommendations for for people with dietary deficiencies.
Thank you - Happy Mother's Day!
this is great information for combating COVID!! actually great information to be implemented for any person wanting to achieve and maintain good health!!
Great information. I have taken vitamins for a long time and try so hard to keep my immune system up. I battled with Covid in February and took a hit. My dr. tells me that she truly thinks had I not been trying to care for my immune system as I have been doing it could of been much worse. I have asthma too so listening to my body and staying on top of things was surely a plus. But, I do believe that we should try our best to maintain our immune system period. God gave us this body for a reason. Thank you for posting this information. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Excellent post Jan! Thank you! That's everything I take, so I am happy! Big Hugs!
hoping that the vaccine along with all these things that we will be safe as the States are starting to let people get together in most stores and buildings without masks now, hoping they made the right decision to let this happen
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