Possible application of high-dose vitamin C in the prevention and therapy of coronavirus infection
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2021 5:05 am
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7553131/
Viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and many others are usually associated with increased oxidative stress leading to oxidative cellular and tissue damage resulting in multiorgan failure. Vitamin C has demonstrated favourable therapeutic properties and a good safety profile throughout a wide range of clinical applications. Administration of high-dose vitamin C as a therapeutic agent can favourably impact patients with viral pneumonia and ARDS in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection by decreasing inflammation and pathogen infectiveness and virulence, optimising immune defence, reducing tissue and organ injury, and improving the overall outcome of the disease.
Application of a high dose of vitamin C can dramatically reduce the need for treatment with high doses of corticosteroids, antibacterials and antiviral drugs. Vitamin C also can be effective for primary prevention of viral infections by boosting the innate immune response. In infected patients, vitamin C therapy may shorten the disease course and prevent complications of the disease [47], [79]. In addition to vitamin C, other nutraceutical antioxidants widely available as over-the-counter drugs or food supplements can be used to improve the redox balance and reduce tissue damage in patients with viral pneumonia and ARDS. These possible agents include, but are not limited to, tocopherol, lipoic acid, N-acetylcysteine, glutathione, l-carnitine, coenzyme-Q10, zinc and selenium compounds.
Viral infections such as SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and many others are usually associated with increased oxidative stress leading to oxidative cellular and tissue damage resulting in multiorgan failure. Vitamin C has demonstrated favourable therapeutic properties and a good safety profile throughout a wide range of clinical applications. Administration of high-dose vitamin C as a therapeutic agent can favourably impact patients with viral pneumonia and ARDS in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection by decreasing inflammation and pathogen infectiveness and virulence, optimising immune defence, reducing tissue and organ injury, and improving the overall outcome of the disease.
Application of a high dose of vitamin C can dramatically reduce the need for treatment with high doses of corticosteroids, antibacterials and antiviral drugs. Vitamin C also can be effective for primary prevention of viral infections by boosting the innate immune response. In infected patients, vitamin C therapy may shorten the disease course and prevent complications of the disease [47], [79]. In addition to vitamin C, other nutraceutical antioxidants widely available as over-the-counter drugs or food supplements can be used to improve the redox balance and reduce tissue damage in patients with viral pneumonia and ARDS. These possible agents include, but are not limited to, tocopherol, lipoic acid, N-acetylcysteine, glutathione, l-carnitine, coenzyme-Q10, zinc and selenium compounds.