Which Nutrients and Vitamins Help With COVID?

There is no doubt that the impacts of COVID are going to be felt for years across the world. Now that it is clear that the virus is here to stay, you would be wise to do all that you can to safeguard your health so that your body is better equipped to handle any infection. Can adequate intake of vitamins help with COVID prevention and management? New research is helping to answer this important question.

Researchers Examine the Impact of Nutrition On Illness

There have been a number of recent research studies looking at how nutritional supplements may help to protect against infection or hospitalization when one is exposed to COVID. For instance, a new study published in the Biomolecules journal demonstrated how the right intake of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients can help children with COVID bounce back faster, mitigating the potential impacts of what is known in scientific circles as long COVID.

The results of this research is nothing revolutionary. Medical experts have long pointed to the positive impacts of proper nutrition when recovering from an illness. This is because diseases such as COVID have been shown to deprive the body of the vitamins and minerals it needs for optimal function due to increased energy demands.

What Vitamins Help With COVID?

There are a number of vitamins that have been linked to improved COVID outcomes. Some of the most studied vitamins include vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E and the family of vitamin B nutrients. Scientists hypothesize that these vitamins work to block the viral replication while also guarding host cells against injury and reducing the incidence of clotting in the body.

Vitamin C has long been associated with a stronger immune system, making it no surprise that this powerful antioxidant has been linked to better COVID outcomes. Medical researchers have also found a strong correlation between negative COVID outcomes and lower levels of vitamin D in the body. One particular study was able to draw a link between vitamin D supplementation and reduced severity of COVID in hospitalized individuals. It has been hypothesized that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics of vitamin D may possibly inhibit the presence of inflammatory cytokines.

What Minerals Help with COVID?

Mineral supplementation has also been demonstrated to boost the body's reaction to viral infections while lowering the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications, all hallmarks of severe COVID. For instance, scientists have found that COVID patients demonstrate lower levels of sodium and potassium, increasing the risk of further complications as the virus embeds itself in the lungs.

Calcium is another mineral that is known for its ability to eradicate the virus from the body's cells, helping to promote a faster recovery. Studies on COVID patients have revealed that those with severe infections display lower calcium levels compared to patients with a less severe form of the disease.

Other minerals that have shown promise in helping the body to regulate immune function and respond more effectively to the invading virus include magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium and manganese. For example, a deficiency in zinc has been linked to autoimmune diseases that raise the risk of inflammation.

Similarly, supplementing your diet with magnesium and selenium may increase the positive effects of proper thyroid function. Because thyroiditis has been revealed to be an issue in patients with long COVID, it stands to reason that boosting your intake of these two minerals can help to reduce this risk.

What Other Nutrients Help With COVID?

In addition to the standard body of vitamins and minerals known to boost your overall health, scientists have also identified a number of other nutrients that may improve the odds of healthy outcomes when exposed to COVID. It certainly will not hurt to focus on getting in adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. These acids have been shown to potentially lower the amount of inflammatory markers while simultaneously boosting the body's immune response to infection. Scientists are currently looking at how the use of omega-3 supplementation may prevent the deadly cytokine storms sometimes associated with severe COVID.

The hormone melatonin has also been shown to be helpful when dealing with COVID. Some research has indicated that individuals taking a melatonin supplement are less likely to develop COVID. In addition, an October 2020 study out of Columbia University found that incubated COVID patients had better outcomes when given melatonin as part of their treatment.

What You Can Do

Now that you understand the important role that vitamins and minerals play in fighting this sometimes deadly virus, it is time to take the proactive steps to protect yourself against serious COVID impacts. Taking a supplement such as Vitachron can help ensure that you are nourishing your body with all of the nutrients that have been identified as being beneficial in fighting the effects of COVID. Vitachron is a comprehensive dietary supplement that provides a unique balance of nutrients delivered at the most optimal times throughout the day based on the science of chronobiology.

While there is no escaping the impacts that COVID will continue to have on everyday life, there are steps that you can take to empower your body to handle any potential exposure and infection from the virus. A solid supplement plan is a good start in this battle.