Role of vitamin C in reducing morbidity in patients with COVID-19

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: It is not the corona virus that kills people with COVID;it is usually the immune system over-reacting against dead virus particles, which triggers a storm, an inflammatory fire out of control. That's when very high doses of both steroids and vitamin C are needed. Normally, the adrenal glands, which contain a hundred times more vitamin C than other organs, release both the body's most powerful steroid hormone cortisol as well as vitamin C, when in a state of emergency. The steroid helps the vitamin C get inside cells and calm down the fire. Vitamin C is both an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, mopping up the oxidant fumes of the cytokine storm. Without vitamin C the steroid hormone cortisol can't work so well. That's why ICU doctors administer both extra vitamin C and steroids to get a patient out of the danger zone. AIM OF STUDY: To find out the role of high dose oral liposomal vitamin-c in reducing morbidity,(symptomatic relief in physical, neuro cognitive functions improvement, anxiety and depression) in patients admitted in a tertiary care covid 19 hospital between 1st march to 31 may 2021. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the patients admitted in between march 1 to may 31 2021 are taken for study irrespective of any comorbidities. Totally 57,769 covid-19 positive persons are screened. Their RTPCR status, ct scan scores, bio chemical markers all studied, and those who were eligible for admission as per ICMR guidelines admitted(n=8634). All the patients during their entire stay in the hospital were given oral liposomal vitamin c with bio availability 90-95% in a palatable juice form apart from standard treatment protocol for covid-19 prescribed by world health organization and ICMR, AIIMS, AND GOVERNMENT OF TAMILNADU. RESULTS: Of the 8634 patients admitted 5422(62%) required non oxygen beds. -2989(34%) required oxygen beds on admission -223 patients(2.5%) required beds (with,98 on c pap,34 ventilators,64 high flow nasal oxygen, 43 non re-breathing mask and 58 non invasive ventilators), all outcomes are compared with same type of patients admitted in similar hospital and similar set of patients, were 49% required non oxygen bed,42% required oxygen beds 7.8% (9-13%)required ICU admissions and with out high dose vitamin c same type of protocol and the results compared and found out the morbidity, and is two third less in patients receiving high dose oral liposomal vitamin -C 4 grams per day. CONCLUSION: with available standard treatment protocols, addition of high dose oral vitamin c reduces morbidity by two third which is very significant in covid pandemic. It's especially important to understand that no supplement, diet, or other modification other than social distancing, wearing mask properly, and proper hygiene practices can prevent you from COVID-19.