Vitamin C and Colds
by Debbie Johnson
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NUTRITION
Evidence Based
Can Vitamin C Protect You from COVID-19?

Written by SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD on April 2, 2020 — Medically reviewed by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD
Vitamin C & immunity
Vitamin C & COVID-19
Recommendation
Bottom line
An important note
No supplement will cure or prevent disease.
With the 2019 coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, it’s especially important to understand that no supplement, diet, or other lifestyle modification other than physical distancing, also known as social distancing, and proper hygiene practices can protect you from COVID-19.
You may have noticed the vitamin C section of the supplement aisle looking bare these days or seen the claims on social media that vitamin C can help with COVID-19.
While physicians and researchers are studying the effects of high dose intravenous (IV) vitamin C on the new coronavirus, no supplement, including vitamin C, can prevent or treat COVID-19.
This article reviews what vitamin C is, how it affects immunity, how it’s being tried for COVID-19 treatment in a hospital setting, and whether taking an oral supplement is beneficial.
