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Review
. 2021 May 31:8:2333794X211021739.
doi: 10.1177/2333794X211021739. eCollection 2021.

Potential Role of Vitamins and Zinc on Acute Respiratory Infections Including Covid-19

Indah K Murni  1 , Endy P Prawirohartono  1 , Rina Triasih  1
Affiliations
Review

Potential Role of Vitamins and Zinc on Acute Respiratory Infections Including Covid-19

Indah K Murni et al. Glob Pediatr Health. .

Abstract

Background. Vitamin C, E, D, A, zinc are considered to be essential in preventing and treating of acute respiratory infections (ARI) including COVID-19. Methods. We reviewed published studies evaluating the potential roles of these vitamin and zinc for ARIs and COVID-19 using Medline database, medRxiv, and bibliographic references. Results. Vitamins C, D, and E did not reduce incidence of common cold in general, but vitamin C reduced by half in population with physical and environment stresses. Vitamins C and E shortened duration and reduced severity of common cold. A large-dose vitamin A had no effect on recovery from pneumonia. Zinc improved clinical deterioration and pneumonia duration in under five. The effect on preventing COVID-19 morbidity and related-death was lacking. Conclusions. Although the effects of vitamins and zinc on ARIs including COVID-19 were inconclusive, taking these for a short period during pandemic may be beneficial when there is risks of deficiency.

Keywords: COVID-19; respiratory infections; vitamin; zinc.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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