Supplements may not dramatically reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.

The COVID-19 virus has been present in the United States for more than a year.

In fact, this time last year the Kansas City area was under stay-at-home orders.

Remember that?

Much information and misinformation has circulated in 2020 and 2021 regarding the virus.

Understatement.

According to a recent Money Talk News article titled “These 2 Supplements Don’t Curb COVID-19 Danger After All,” there is still new research being released.

Vitamin C and zinc supplements did not reduce COVID-19 symptoms in a recent study.

The JAMA Network Open journal published by the American Medical Association recently released reports on a study conducted on specific supplements and COVID-19.

The study focused on the impact of zinc and vitamin C on COVID-19 symptoms.

Why?

Many healthcare providers recommended taking these supplements to reduce or avoid COVID-19 symptoms.

Zinc has been known to benefit immune functioning.

The mineral is integral in the production of white blood cells and antibodies and is recognized for fighting infections.

Vitamin C serves as an antioxidant.

The known benefits of this vitamin include boosting the immune system and decreasing damage to cells.

What were the findings?

The researchers at Cleveland Clinic where the study was conducted found patients taking zinc, vitamin C, or a combination of these supplements experienced symptoms for the same amount of time as those receiving care without the supplements.

Participants in the study where given 50 milligrams of zinc a day, 8,000 milligrams of vitamin C a day, or a combination of these for 10 days.

The patients were 45 years of age on average and 62 percent were female.

Because this research was conducted on patients who already had COVID-19, it may not indicate the effectiveness of supplements on severity of symptoms when taken regularly in advance of contracting COVID-19.

That is very interesting.

Personally, I have been taking 30 milligrams of zinc a day, plus 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C a day, and 4,000 IU of vitamin D a day.

Now, full disclosure: I am not a doctor and have never played one on television.

However, I am including these three supplements as part of my basic self-defense against "catching" any of the gunk floating around in the population, to include this virus.

Reference: Money Talk News (Feb. 15, 2021) “These 2 Supplements Don’t Curb COVID-19 Danger After All”