There is much interest in micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in people with COVID-19. However, to date there is limited evidence to support the use of specific nutrients to aid recovery. Instead the focus should be on achieving adequate micronutrient intake.
Importance of achieving adequate micronutrient levels
Beta carotene
Beta carotene is an antioxidant: sweet potatoes, carrots and green leafy vegetables have them.
Vitamin C
Doses above 200 mg/day are unlikely to benefit healthy individuals. Vitamins C and E are a common antioxidant found in nuts, seeds, spinach and broccoli.
100-200 milligrams of vitamin C has been demonstrated to optimise cell and tissue levels for the lessening of persistent viral infections, however an excess of vitamin C can harm kidneys, particularly with more than 1000 milligrams per day (Zabetakis et al., 2020).
Vitamin D
Vitamin D can be found in fortified cereals and fortified plant-based milk and supplements.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E deficiency impairs both humoral and cell-mediated immune functions.
Zinc
Zinc is found in nuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, beans and lentils
It has been suggested that a Zinc intake of 30–50 mg/d might help prevent infection from RNA viruses, such as influenza and coronaviruses, however many studies have been in vitro experiments (Patel, Martindale and McClave, 2020), not in humans. Zinc appears to have a role in preventing cytokine storm (Naidu, Pressman and Clemens, 2021).
Learn more about underlying mechanisms.
Copper
While there has been no recommended dietary intake of copper against COVID-19, a copper intake of 7.8 mg/d has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and alter immune function, albeit it is unknown whether those changes were beneficial.
Magnesium
Magnesium has antioxidant activity and inhibits release of inflammatory cytokines. The development of low calcium and magnesium needs to be monitored for in persons with COVID-19.
Herbal remedies
The following is a list of herbal remedies that may have health claims related to COVID-19 (Namdeo, 2021).
However, there are no human experiments including COVID-19 patients and therefore consuming these supplements may pose a risk to health:
- Withania somnifera, also commonly known as: ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, Indian winter cherry
- Tinospora cordifolia, also commonly known as: gulvel
- Panax ginseng, also commonly known as: Asiatic ginseng, Chinese ginseng, five fingers, Japanese ginseng, jintsam
- Emblica officinalis, also commonly known as: amla
- Echinacea perpurea, also commonly known as: purple coneflower, sampson, snakeroot, red sunflower
- Ocimum tenuiflorum, synonym: ocimum sanctum
- Uncaria tomentosa, also commonly known as: cat’s claw, una de gato
- Azadirachta indica
- Aloe barbadensis, also commonly known as: aloe vera
- Curcuma longa, also commonly known as: turmeric
- Zingiber officinale, also commonly known as: adarak, ginger