Relying solely on vitamins to protect yourself from COVID-19 can be harmful. A review published in 2022 found that taking vitamin C, D, and zinc supplements against COVID-19 did not reduce the risk of death from the infection.
This is not to say that vitamin supplements are bad or unnecessary. There are no research results yet to support whether it is useful for preventing or treating the new coronavirus. Keep learning whether vitamins can help with COVID-19 and what you should do to protect yourself instead.
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Supplements cannot prevent death from coronavirus. In a 2022 review, researchers noted that none of the people who took vitamin C, vitamin D, or zinc supplements saw an improvement in mortality. They were no less likely to die from the coronavirus than people who did not receive the supplement.
Researchers have found that vitamin D shows several benefits. The study found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with lower intubation rates and shorter hospital stays in patients with severe COVID-19 infection. The study authors noted that further evidence is needed to support these findings.
Although supplements do not reduce your risk of dying from coronavirus, vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc are essential nutrients that can help support your immune system. This highly complex system protects the body from foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Deficiencies in any of these vitamins can negatively impact your body’s ability to fight infections like the coronavirus.
Getting enough vitamin D may make you less likely to get infected with the coronavirus or develop severe symptoms. Research shows that people with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to experience severe illness and death from the coronavirus. A review published in 2023 found that vitamin D supplementation can help prevent admission to intensive care units (ICUs) due to coronavirus.
Caution: It is not entirely clear how supplements affect the outcome of COVID-19 infection. More research is needed to know if and when vitamin D supplementation can be effective in preventing and treating COVID-19.
Other studies have shown that vitamin D supplements may not have much benefit. A study published in 2020 found that people who took low-dose vitamin D supplements were just as likely to get infected with the coronavirus and develop severe symptoms as people who didn’t take it. found.
Vitamin supplements are not a reliable or evidence-based way to protect yourself from contracting COVID-19 or dying from COVID-19. It is important to continually check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for new research. Recommendations may be updated as researchers discover new findings.
Instead of taking vitamin C, D, and zinc supplements, here are other ways you can prevent coronavirus.
- Cover your mouth and nose: Bend your elbow or use a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Do not share personal items. This includes bedding, cups, towels, and tableware.
- Don’t touch your face. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus, can enter through the eyes, nose, and mouth. Always wash your hands before touching your face.
- Get vaccinated: COVID-19 vaccines and boosters can help prevent infection and spread. If you get vaccinated and become infected with the coronavirus, you are less likely to develop severe symptoms.
- Keep your home well ventilated. Open the windows to circulate the air in your home. However, this will only work if other precautions are taken, such as social distancing, wearing masks, and washing hands.
- Get tested for coronavirus: If you have symptoms, you can take a rapid antigen test at home to find out if you have COVID-19. To minimize the spread of infection, be sure to follow CDC guidelines for isolating if you test positive.
- Wash your hands regularly. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol can help eliminate SARS-CoV-2.
- Wear a high-quality mask in indoor public areas. This is especially helpful if you have been vaccinated but have a weak immune system, or if you live in an area with high hospitalization rates.
If you are deficient in vitamin D, supplementing with vitamin D can strengthen your bone, muscle, heart, and immune health. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting any supplements. The Food and Drug Administration minimally regulates supplements, but their effects vary from person to person.
Vitamin supplements can help support your immune system if you are deficient in certain nutrients, but they cannot reliably protect against or treat the coronavirus. Instead, experts advise eating a balanced diet of nutritious foods and getting enough vitamins.
Vitamin D supplements may prevent serious illness, but more research is needed. Instead, the most reliable ways to protect yourself from the coronavirus are to get vaccinated, distance yourself from people who are sick, and wear a mask in indoor public spaces.
Information in this article is accurate at the time of publication. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, some data may have changed since publication. While Health strives to keep our articles as up-to-date as possible, we encourage our readers to use the CDC, WHO, and local public health departments as resources to stay informed about news and recommendations for their communities. We recommend that you obtain the latest information.
