In a study, Singaporean scientists found that a combination of readily available and inexpensive vitamins D3, B12 and magnesium can alleviate COVID-19 and reduce the risk of death, especially in elderly patients.
One of the main causes of COVID complications is not the harmful effect of the virus itself, but the excessive reaction of the immune system – acute inflammation called the cytokine storm. Specialists decided to check how effective a safe anti-inflammatory combination of micronutrients will prove to be.
Vitamin D protects the respiratory epithelium. Magnesium contributes to better absorption of vitamin D, and also has independent bronchodilator and vasodilator activity. Vitamin B12 improves the condition of the intestinal microflora, which, in turn, is important for the effective functioning of the immune system. All are safe and well tolerated.
During the experiment, scientists observed the development of the disease in 17 patients with a diagnosis of COVID over the age of 50 who were prescribed 1000 IU of vitamin D3, 150 mg of magnesium and 500 μg of vitamin B12 per day for up to two weeks.
Their condition was compared with 26 patients of the same age from the control group – they were not given a combination of vitamins.
The results came out extremely encouraging. The analysis showed that the chance of complications increased with age and the presence of other diseases, but significantly decreased with the use of vitamins D3, B12 and magnesium, regardless of the age of the patients, gender and the presence of other diseases. Only 17% of patients from the vitamins received additional oxygen (only three out of 17 patients). At the same time, in the group that did not consume vitamins, the situation was much worse: 62% of patients (16 of 26 people) needed additional oxygen.
With simplified calculations, it can be calculated that taking these micronutrients reduced the chances of an adverse outcome by 3.5 times. It is only regrettable that the sample was small, and with a larger experiment, performance indicators may turn out to be less impressive. But, since vitamins D3, B12 and magnesium are necessary nutrients for each, they can be taken for prophylactic purposes, without exceeding the dosages recommended in the instructions.
Earlier, Reedus published a selection of the five most useful berries to enhance immunity.
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