Zinc and vitamin C fell short in a clinical trial after researchers found they made no significant difference in alleviating the duration of coronavirus symptoms.
Cleveland Clinic findings were published Friday in JAMA Network, based on the results from April 27 to October 14, when 214 coronavirus patients in Ohio and Florida outpatient care centers were given either 50 milligrams of high-dose zinc to be taken at night with 8,000 milligrams of vitamin C, taken several times a day with meals, a combination of the two, or standard care over a 10-day period.
These patients, on average about 45 years old, were at home and answered virtual surveys about their symptoms, any side effects, hospitalizations and other medications. Any patient who required hospitalization was considered a failed treatment, researchers said. Data show that most patients experienced mild symptoms, with very few severe cases.
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Patients achieved a 50% reduction in symptoms after 6.7 days with usual care, 5.5 days with vitamin C, 5.9 days with zinc, and 5.5 days for the combo treatment.
“These findings suggest that treatment with zinc, ascorbic acid, or both does not affect SARS-CoV-2 symptoms,” the study authors wrote.
The scientists stopped the trial prematurely because the supplements had no effect whatsoever. The study authors noted four serious events, including three deaths from COVID-19, that are not believed to be related to treatment. More patients who received vitamin C reported side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and cramps.
The study authors said there is “inconsistent” evidence for zinc and vitamin C as a beneficial treatment for the common cold.
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The authors of the Cleveland Clinic study noted that zinc is known to help cells fight infection and boost the immune system, and that vitamin C is “an antioxidant that may play a role in immune response,” although the role of vitamin C and zinc in the treatment of coronavirus is less clear.
“However, based on the current study, these supplements cannot be recommended to reduce the morbidity of symptoms in such patients,” the study said. High doses of zinc gluconate, ascorbic acid, or both supplements did not reduce SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. Most ascorbic acid and zinc consumers take significantly lower doses of these supplements, showing that even high doses of ascorbic acid and zinc had no benefit, suggesting clear deficiency to efficacy. “
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The study had some limitations, such as the lack of a placebo group and an open label design, meaning patients knew which treatment they were receiving.
Researchers said ongoing studies in China and the US are investigating vitamin C administered through IV to reduce respiratory failure, which stimulates ventilation among coronavirus patients.
Alexandria Hein of Fox News contributed to this report.