Vitamin C

Last review completed on
February 14th, 2021
Therapy Description

Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant and contributes to immune defence by supporting various cellular functions of the immune system. It is well documented that COVID-19 infections strain the immune system. However, the support for vitamin C had been mostly theoretical until this point, but recent studies have shown that its use in COVID-19 infections may be limited.

Recommendation

As seen below a recent randomized control trial showed that vitamin C had no additional benefits over placebo.

Clinical Circumstances
Level of Evidence
= Supporting use article = Neutral Article  = Contradicting use article

Step 1 - In vitro SARS CoV-1/2 and MERS-CoV Step 2 - In vivo MERS-CoV Step 3 - In vivo SARS CoV-2
Equivocal article
List of Evidence/ Discussion

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Major Peer-Reviewed Studies

Level 5: Random Controlled Trial SARS CoV-2 articles listed below Randomized Control Trials:

  1.  “Effect of High-Dose Zinc and Ascorbic Acid Supplementation vs Usual Care on Symptom Length and Reduction Among Ambulatory Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Infection

    Thomas S, Patel D, Bittel B, et al. Effect of High-Dose Zinc and Ascorbic Acid Supplementation vs Usual Care on Symptom Length and Reduction Among Ambulatory Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Infection: The COVID A to Z Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(2):e210369. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.0369

    This study looked to determine whether high-dose zinc and/or high-dose vitamin C reduced the severity or duration of COVID-19 compared to standard outpatient care. This was a multicenter, single health system randomized clinical factorial open-label trial of 214 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infections. Patients were randomized to either receive 10 days of zinc gluconate (50 mg), ascorbic acid (8000 mg), both agents, or standard of care. It was found that none of the interventions significantly decreased the duration of COVID-19 symptoms compared to standard care.

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