A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials by epidemiologists from New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) shows that vitamin C, which became a vital part of most prescriptions for Covid-19 patients, has no significant benefit in the treatment of the infectious disease.

“Vitamin C therapy didn’t reduce major health related outcomes in Covid patients. In sub-group analysis based on drug dose (high vs. Low), route (IV vs oral) and severity of illness (severe vs non-severe) no significant benefit were observed,” the study authors concluded.

A larger investigation was proposed by the authors of the study to examine the effects of isolated vitamin C supplementation on both vitamin C-replete and vitamin C-deficient people separately.

The report was published online on Elsevier Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews.

Doctors believe the findings are relevant since vitamin C supplementation has increased dramatically, with some individuals believing it can even prevent illness, which is a complete misconception.

“Benefits of vitamin C since days of Linus Pauling are fraught with uncertainties. Although this meta-analysis is categorical in stating that it is without benefits in COVID-19, it is unlikely to get of prescription sheets of physicians in a major manner,” said Dr Anoop Misra, Chairman, Fortis C-Doc.

In addition to its anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging properties, vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid.

“Ascorbic acid (vitamin c) has a role in reducing inflammation, vascular injury and in diseases where oxidative stress increases. With same hope and rationale behind, it was being used in high doses in patients who were at high risk of contracting severe covid or had severe covid. But it is still unclear if it helps in averting severe covid infection. It surely doest avert contracting covid,” said Dr Akshay Budharaja, Pulmonologist, Aakash Healthcare.

The findings could be due to a universally agreed optimal dose and mode of administration, according to the study authors.

“The particular concern with Covid-19 is that ICU treatment is needed for a rather high proportion of patients. There is much evidence that critically ill patients have reduced plasma levels of vitamin C, which is explained by the increased depletion of the vitamin in their body, so that one-third of ICU patients may have as low vitamin C levels as vitamin C deficient patients,” said Dr Babina Nanda Kumar, Chief Medical Officer, Jindal Naturecure Institute.

According to Dr. Kumar, whereas 0.1 g of vitamin C per day can maintain normal plasma levels in healthy people, critically ill patients require significantly greater dosages (2–3 g/day) to achieve normal plasma vitamin C levels.

“Therefore, it would seem reasonable to screen plasma vitamin C levels in ICU patients and administer vitamin C to those with low levels,” according to Dr Kumar.

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