Zinc and vitamin C fell short in a clinical trial after the researchers found that they made no significant difference in relieving the duration of coronavirus symptoms.
The Cleveland Clinic findings were published on the JAMA Network on Friday, based on the results from April 27 to October 14, when 214 coronavirus patients in Ohio and Florida outpatient centers received 50 milligrams of high-dose zinc to be taken in the evening, 8,000 milligrams of vitamin C to be taken several times a day with meals, a combination of the two or standard care over a 10-day period.
These patients, with an average age of 45 years, were at home and answered virtual surveys about their symptoms, adverse effects, hospitalizations and other medications. Any patient requiring hospitalization was considered a treatment failure, the researchers said. The data show that most patients had mild symptoms, with very few suffering from severe cases.
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Patients achieved a 50% reduction in symptoms after 6.7 days with usual care, 5.5 days when treated with vitamin C, 5.9 days with zinc and 5.5 days with combined treatment.
“These findings suggest that treatment with zinc, ascorbic acid or both does not affect the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2,” wrote the study authors.
The scientists ended the test earlier because the supplements were not working. The study authors observed four serious events, including three deaths due to COVID-19, which were unrelated to treatment. More patients who received vitamin C reported side effects such as nausea, diarrhea and cramps.
The study authors said there was “inconsistent” evidence of zinc and vitamin C as a beneficial treatment for colds.
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The Cleveland Clinic study authors noted that zinc is known to help cells fight infections and boost the immune system, and vitamin C “is an antioxidant that can play a role in the 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,” says the study. “High-dose zinc gluconate, ascorbic acid or both supplements have not reduced the symptoms of SARS-CoV-2. Most consumers of ascorbic acid and zinc are taking significantly lower doses of these supplements, demonstrating that even ascorbic acid and high-dose zinc had no benefit suggests a clear lack of effectiveness. “
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The study had some limitations, such as the lack of a placebo group and an open design, which means that patients knew which treatment they were receiving.
The researchers said that ongoing studies in China and the United States are examining vitamin C delivered intravenously to reduce respiratory failure, which encourages ventilation among patients with coronavirus.
Fox News’ Alexandria Hein contributed to this report.