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Apr 5, 2021 · Based on the science, there is reason to be hopeful that supplements such as vitamin C or D, zinc, or melatonin might help in the fight against COVID-19. While there's no proof yet that they do, additional research could show a benefit in certain situations, or with a different dose or formulation of the supplement.
- Vitamin C. Though the National Institutes of Health (NIH) says there’s not enough evidence to recommend either for or against using vitamin C for COVID-19, some research does indicate there are benefits to taking vitamin C.
- Vitamin D. Vitamin D reached all-time popularity during the pandemic. If there’s one vitamin that’s been researched the most with regard to COVID-19, it may be this one.
- Zinc. There is quite a bit of research indicating that the mineral zinc can be helpful at helping you fend off COVID-19. A small 2023 study found that taking zinc reduced death, hospital admission and shortened duration of symptoms.
- Melatonin. There’s quite a bit of research on the hormone melatonin to treat COVID-19. A 2022 study published in Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences found melatonin helps manage the effect of the cytokine storm that’s a common response to COVID-19.
- Overview
- 1. Vitamin D
- 2. Zinc
- 3. Vitamin C
- 4. Elderberry
- 5. Medicinal mushrooms
- 6–15. Other supplements with immune-boosting potential
- The bottom line
Deficiencies in certain vitamins, including vitamin C, zinc, and others, may weaken your immune system. Taking supplements of these vitamins may help support immune system function.
An important note
No supplement will cure or prevent disease.
With the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic, it’s especially important to understand that no supplement, diet, or other lifestyle modification other than physical distancing, also known as social distancing, and proper hygiene practices can protect you from COVID-19.
Currently, no research supports the use of any supplement to protect against COVID-19 specifically.
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Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient essential to the health and functioning of your immune system.
Vitamin D enhances the pathogen-fighting effects of monocytes and macrophages — white blood cells that are important parts of your immune defense — and decreases inflammation, which helps promote immune response (3).
Many people are deficient in this important vitamin, which may negatively affect immune function. In fact, low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of upper respiratory tract infections, including influenza and allergic asthma (4).
Some studies show that supplementing with vitamin D may improve immune response. In fact, recent research suggests that taking this vitamin may protect against respiratory tract infections.
In a 2019 review of randomized control studies in 11,321 people, supplementing with vitamin D significantly decreased the risk of respiratory infections in people deficient in this vitamin and lowered infection risk in those with adequate vitamin D levels (5).
This suggests an overall protective effect.
Zinc is a mineral that’s commonly added to supplements and other healthcare products like lozenges that are meant to boost your immune system. This is because zinc is essential for immune system function.
Zinc is needed for immune cell development and communication and plays an important role in inflammatory response. Zinc also specifically protects tissue barriers in the body and help prevent foreign pathogens from entering (12).
A deficiency in this nutrient significantly affects your immune system’s ability to function properly, resulting in an increased risk of infection and disease, including pneumonia (13, 14).
According to research, 16% of all deep respiratory infections worldwide have been found to be due to zinc deficiency (15).
Zinc deficiency affects around 2 billion people worldwide and is very common in older adults. In fact, up to 30% of older adults are considered deficient in this nutrient (16).
Zinc deficiency is relatively rare in North America and in developed countries (17, 18).
Vitamin C is perhaps the most popular supplement taken to protect against infection due to its important role in immune health.
This vitamin supports the function of various immune cells and enhances their ability to protect against infection. It’s also necessary for cellular death, which helps keep your immune system healthy by clearing out old cells and replacing them with new ones (25, 26).
Vitamin C also functions as a powerful antioxidant, protecting against damage induced by oxidative stress, which occurs with the accumulation of reactive molecules known as free radicals.
Oxidative stress can negatively affect immune health and is linked to numerous diseases (27).
Supplementing with vitamin C has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of upper respiratory tract infections, including the common cold (28).
A large review of 29 studies in 11,306 people demonstrated that regularly supplementing with vitamin C at an average dose of 1–2 grams per day reduced the duration of colds by 8% in adults and 14% in children (29).
Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra), which has long been used to treat infections, is being researched for its effects on immune health.
In test-tube studies, elderberry extract demonstrates potent antibacterial and antiviral potential against bacterial pathogens responsible for upper respiratory tract infections and strains of the influenza virus (35, 36).
What’s more, it has been shown to enhance immune system response and may help shorten the duration and severity of colds as well as reduce symptoms related to viral infections (37, 38).
A review of 4 randomized control studies in 180 people found that elderberry supplements significantly reduced upper respiratory symptoms caused by viral infections (39).
An older, 5-day study from 2004 demonstrated that people with the flu who supplemented with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of elderberry syrup 4 times a day experienced symptom relief 4 days earlier than those who didn’t take the syrup and were less reliant on medication (40).
However, this study is outdated and was sponsored by the elderberry syrup manufacturer, which may have skewed results (40).
Medicinal mushrooms have been used since ancient times to prevent and treat infection and disease. Many types of medicinal mushrooms have been studied for their immune-boosting potential.
Over 270 recognized species of medicinal mushrooms are known to have immune-enhancing properties (44).
Cordyceps, lion’s mane, maitake, shitake, reishi, and turkey tail are all types that have been shown to benefit immune health (45).
Some research demonstrates that supplementing with specific types of medicinal mushrooms may enhance immune health in several ways as well as reduce symptoms of certain conditions, including asthma and lung infections.
For example, a study in mice with tuberculosis, a serious bacterial disease, found that treatment with cordyceps significantly reduced bacterial load in the lungs, enhanced immune response, and reduced inflammation, compared with a placebo group (46).
In a randomized, 8-week study in 79 adults, supplementing with 1.7 grams of cordyceps mycelium culture extract led to a significant 38% increase in the activity of natural killer (NK) cells, a type of white blood cell that protects against infection (47).
Aside from the items listed above, many supplements may help improve immune response:
•Astragalus. Astragalus is an herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Animal research suggests that its extract may significantly improve immune-related responses (54).
•Selenium. Selenium is a mineral that’s essential for immune health. Animal research demonstrates that selenium supplements may enhance antiviral defense against influenza strains, including H1N1 (55, 56, 57).
•Garlic. Garlic has powerful anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. It has been shown to enhance immune health by stimulating protective white blood cells like NK cells and macrophages. However, human research is limited (58, 59).
•Andrographis. This herb contains andrographolide, a terpenoid compound found to have antiviral effects against respiratory-disease-causing viruses, including enterovirus D68 and influenza A (60, 61, 62).
•Licorice. Licorice contains many substances, including glycyrrhizin, that may help protect against viral infections. According to test-tube research, glycyrrhizin exhibits antiviral activity against severe acute respiratory-syndrome–related coronavirus (SARS-CoV) (63).
Many supplements on the market may help improve immune health.
Zinc, elderberry, and vitamins C and D are just some of the substances that have been researched for their immune-enhancing potential.
However, although these supplements may offer a small benefit for immune health, they should not and cannot be used as a replacement for a healthy lifestyle.
Aiming to eat a nutrient-dense balanced diet, getting enough sleep, engaging in regular physical activity, and not smoking (or considering quitting, if you smoke) are some of the most important ways to help keep your immune system healthy and reduce your chances of infection and disease.
If you decide that you want to try a supplement, speak with a healthcare professional first, as some supplements may interact with certain medications or are inappropriate for some people.
Moreover, remember that there’s no scientific evidence to suggest that any of them can protect against COVID-19 — even though some of them may have antiviral properties.
- Jillian Kubala, MS, RD
Aug 10, 2023 · Currently there is no research to suggest that supplements prevent COVID-19. “For most people with varied diets, vitamins, minerals, and other supplements are unlikely to provide any benefit or prevent COVID-19 infection,” says LaRose. The best way to reduce risk of getting COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and boosted.
- Vitamin D. Vitamin D is the most frequently discussed micronutrient among nutrition experts for the management of COVID-19 (5). This fat-soluble vitamin and hormone exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing overactivity of the immune system, according to newer and older research (1, 5, 8, 9).
- Carotenoids and vitamin A. Carotenoids are antioxidants as well as pigments (red, green, yellow, and orange). They’re found in nature in some colorful algae, bacteria, fungi, plants, fruits, and vegetables, some of which you can include in your diet (20, 21).
- Zinc. Zinc deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of infections and poorer outcomes in those with COVID-19 (1, 35). Zinc is regarded as one of the most important minerals.
- Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fats are a category of fatty acids shown to have anti-inflammatory health benefits, including for brain health, heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis (1, 9, 53, 54).
The COVID A to Z trial compared the effects of daily supplementation with 8,000 mg ascorbic acid, 50 mg zinc (as zinc gluconate), or both for 10 days with standard of care in 214 adults (mean age 45.2 years) with COVID-19 who were not hospitalized [ 261 ]. None of the supplements shortened symptom duration.
Oct 16, 2020 · Supplements are cheap and generally safe, and some are beginning to be tested against COVID-19. Consumers have long turned to vitamins and herbs to try to protect themselves from disease. This ...
