Zinc is the most well known antiviral mineral, and is widely used as a winter cold and flu preventative. (See our written blog for NIH research papers.) Early on in the pandemic, it was found to have a strong suppressive action on covid infection. Several doctors found this function was enhanced when paired with Chloraquine or HCQ as an ionophore, but the all medical research on chloraquine left out the zinc, thus undermining chloraquine as a useful medicine in the fight against covid. Since then, the supplement quercetin has taken the place of CQ as an ionophore, but the importance of zinc cannot be overstated. See what these doctors have to say
COVID-19 and Zinc
President Trump taking zinc (WSJ)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-takes-zinc-maybe-you-should-too-11601916665
Low zinc levels at clinical admission associates with poor outcomes in COVID-19, (11th October)
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.10.07.20208645v1
Zinc balances immune responses and also has a proven direct antiviral action against ...some viruses.
Zinc deficiency (ZD) is a common condition in elderly and individuals with chronic diseases
Increased intracellular zinc concentrations efficiently impair replication
Resulting in a lower number of viruses
Retrospective analysis
Patients admitted in Barcelona
15th March to 30th April 2020
Clinical severity of COVID-19 and PMH assessed
Fasting plasma zinc levels measured routinely at admission
N = 611
Mean age, 63 years
Male 332, (55%)
Total mortality was 87 patients (14%) during study time
But
249 of 611 patients studied
Of the 249, 21 (8%) died
Baseline zinc levels
Died, (21 people) mean plasma zinc = 43 μg/dl
Survived, (228 people) mean plasma zinc = 63.1 μg/dl
Higher zinc levels, associated with lower maximum levels of interleukin-6 during the period of active infection
Zinc level lower than 50 μg/dl at admission, 2.3 times increased risk of in-hospital death
Compared with those of 50 μg/dl or higher
Lower zinc levels at admission correlate with higher inflammation in the course of infection and poorer outcome
Low plasma zinc levels at admission are associated with mortality in COVID-19 in our study
Further studies are needed to assess the therapeutic impact of this association
COVID-19: Poor outcomes in patients with zinc deficiency (International Journal of Infectious Diseases, November 2020)
Chennai, India
Prospective study of fasting zinc levels in COVID-19 patients at the time of hospitalization
Healthy controls median 105.8 μg/dl
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S120197122030730X
Zinc is a trace element with potent immunoregulatory and antiviral properties
Is utilized in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Patients with serious COVID-19 had significantly low zinc levels in comparison to healthy controls
Zinc deficient COVID patients developed more complications
Zinc deficient patients 70.4% developed complications
Non zinc deficient patients, 30.0% developed complications, (p = 0.009)
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
More need of steroids
Increased mortality
Zinc deficient COVID patients had a prolonged hospital stay
Zinc deficient patients, 7.9 days
Non zinc deficient patients, 5.7 days, (p = 0.048)
In vitro studies
Reduced zinc levels increase SARS-CoV-2 virus receptor interactions
Increased zinc levels inhibit ACE2 expression
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/
What zinc does
Catalytic activity of approximately 100 enzymes
Plays a role in immune function
Protein synthesis
Wound healing
DNA synthesis
Cell division
Normal growth and development, pregnancy, childhood, adolescence
Required for sense of taste and smell
Zinc and immunity
Severe zinc deficiency depresses immune function
Even mild to moderate degrees of zinc deficiency can impair macrophage and neutrophil functions, natural killer cell activity, and complement activity
Body requires zinc to develop and activate T-lymphocytes
Low zinc levels have shown reduced lymphocyte proliferation
…. that can be corrected by zinc supplementation
Low zinc status has been associated with increased susceptibility to pneumonia and other infections in children in developing countries and the elderly
Foods
Oysters
Sea food
Beef
Pork
Baked beans
Fortified cereals
Pumpkin seeds
Yogurt
Cashew nuts
Chickpeas
Oats
Almonds
Vitamin D and zinc can be made in bulk for essentially nothing[+] Show More
COVID-19 and Zinc
President Trump taking zinc (WSJ) ...
President Trump taking zinc (WSJ)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-takes-zinc-maybe-you-should-too-11601916665
Low zinc levels at clinical admission associates with poor outcomes in COVID-19, (11th October)
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.10.07.20208645v1
Zinc balances immune responses and also has a proven direct antiviral action against ...some viruses.
Zinc deficiency (ZD) is a common condition in elderly and individuals with chronic diseases
Increased intracellular zinc concentrations efficiently impair replication
Resulting in a lower number of viruses
Retrospective analysis
Patients admitted in Barcelona
15th March to 30th April 2020
Clinical severity of COVID-19 and PMH assessed
Fasting plasma zinc levels measured routinely at admission
N = 611
Mean age, 63 years
Male 332, (55%)
Total mortality was 87 patients (14%) during study time
But
249 of 611 patients studied
Of the 249, 21 (8%) died
Baseline zinc levels
Died, (21 people) mean plasma zinc = 43 μg/dl
Survived, (228 people) mean plasma zinc = 63.1 μg/dl
Higher zinc levels, associated with lower maximum levels of interleukin-6 during the period of active infection
Zinc level lower than 50 μg/dl at admission, 2.3 times increased risk of in-hospital death
Compared with those of 50 μg/dl or higher
Lower zinc levels at admission correlate with higher inflammation in the course of infection and poorer outcome
Low plasma zinc levels at admission are associated with mortality in COVID-19 in our study
Further studies are needed to assess the therapeutic impact of this association
COVID-19: Poor outcomes in patients with zinc deficiency (International Journal of Infectious Diseases, November 2020)
Chennai, India
Prospective study of fasting zinc levels in COVID-19 patients at the time of hospitalization
Healthy controls median 105.8 μg/dl
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S120197122030730X
Zinc is a trace element with potent immunoregulatory and antiviral properties
Is utilized in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Patients with serious COVID-19 had significantly low zinc levels in comparison to healthy controls
Zinc deficient COVID patients developed more complications
Zinc deficient patients 70.4% developed complications
Non zinc deficient patients, 30.0% developed complications, (p = 0.009)
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
More need of steroids
Increased mortality
Zinc deficient COVID patients had a prolonged hospital stay
Zinc deficient patients, 7.9 days
Non zinc deficient patients, 5.7 days, (p = 0.048)
In vitro studies
Reduced zinc levels increase SARS-CoV-2 virus receptor interactions
Increased zinc levels inhibit ACE2 expression
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/
What zinc does
Catalytic activity of approximately 100 enzymes
Plays a role in immune function
Protein synthesis
Wound healing
DNA synthesis
Cell division
Normal growth and development, pregnancy, childhood, adolescence
Required for sense of taste and smell
Zinc and immunity
Severe zinc deficiency depresses immune function
Even mild to moderate degrees of zinc deficiency can impair macrophage and neutrophil functions, natural killer cell activity, and complement activity
Body requires zinc to develop and activate T-lymphocytes
Low zinc levels have shown reduced lymphocyte proliferation
…. that can be corrected by zinc supplementation
Low zinc status has been associated with increased susceptibility to pneumonia and other infections in children in developing countries and the elderly
Foods
Oysters
Sea food
Beef
Pork
Baked beans
Fortified cereals
Pumpkin seeds
Yogurt
Cashew nuts
Chickpeas
Oats
Almonds
Vitamin D and zinc can be made in bulk for essentially nothing[+] Show More
Coronavirus Update 59: Dr. Roger Seheult's Daily Regimen (Vitamin D, C, Zinc, Quercetin, NAC)
COVID-19 Update 59 with Roger Seheult, MD of ...
COVID-19 Update 59 with Roger Seheult, MD of https://www.medcram.com/?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Video+Link+Clicks&utm_term=Coronavirus+Update+59%3A+Dr.+Roger+Seheult%27s+Daily+Regimen+%28Vitamin+D%2C+C%2C+Zinc%2C+Quercetin%2C+NAC%29&utm_content=NM2A2xNLWR4
We recorded this video in response to your comments asking what Dr. Seheult's daily regimen is - to optimize his immune system ...and minimize COVID-19 risk. In the absence of good clinical data that is specific to SARS-CoV-2, Dr. Seheult discusses supplements, sleep, and his daily disinfection routine when removing PPE, getting in his car, and returning home from the hospital. We look forward to more randomized, blinded, placebo-control studies in the future that will build upon the current body of evidence as it relates to immunity and specifically coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV-2.
Links referenced in this video:
Johns Hopkins - https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
Nutrients - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6521194/
Healthline - https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-c-coronavirus#bottom-line
BMJ - https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-c-coronavirus#bottom-line
Trinity College Dublin - https://www.tcd.ie/news_events/articles/vitamin-d-could-help-fight-off-covid-19-new-tilda-research/
Eur Respit J - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9230243
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/05/us/coronavirus-nurses.html
Hydrotherapy - https://vimeo.com/165013134/346f3ef87a
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-australia/australia-edges-towards-reopening-schools-as-coronavirus-infections-slow-idUSKBN222364
https://www.emra.org/emresident/article/critcare-alert-citris/
Some previous videos from this series (visit MedCram.com for the full series):
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 57: Remdesivir Treatment Update and Can Far-UVC Disinfect Public Spaces? https://youtu.be/2U4DAQ3kjRs
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 56: What is “Forest Bathing” & Can It Boost Immunity Against Viruses? https://youtu.be/PgDjVEpEOdQ
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 55: How COVID-19 Infection Attacks The Immune System & Differs From HIV: https://youtu.be/8NffZAGELGg
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 54: COVID-19 Antibody vs. PCR Testing; When to Relax Social Distancing?: https://youtu.be/kgzFAdYwYLM
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 53: Anticoagulation; Can Mechanical Ventilation Make COVID 19 Worse?: https://youtu.be/o8aG63yigjA
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 52: Ivermectin Treatment; Does COVID-19 Attack Hemoglobin?: https://youtu.be/qc6VV7ue4cE
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 51: State by State Projections; Ultrasound to Diagnose COVID19 Pneumonia: https://youtu.be/E7MufS6dnJw
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 50: Dip in Daily New Deaths; Research on Natural Killer Cells & COVID-19: https://youtu.be/fya6Zwxch88
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 49: New Data on COVID-19 vs Other Viral Infections (Ventilator Outcomes): https://youtu.be/uaIzj3s3p4A
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 48: Curve Flattening in California, PPE in the ICU, Medication Trials: https://youtu.be/JN-8bGB1cLM
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 47: Searching for Immunity Boosters & Possible Lessons From Spanish Flu: https://youtu.be/H1LHgyfPPQ8
-Coronavirus Pandemic Update 46: Can Hot/Cold Therapy Boost Immunity? More on Hydroxychloroquine https://youtu.be/EFRwnhfWXxo
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 45: Sharing Ventilators, More on Sleep, Immunity, & COVID-19 Prevention https://youtu.be/G1zsE9_85i4
- Coronavirus Pandemic Update 44: Loss of Smell & Conjunctivitis in COVID-19, Is Fever Helpful? https://youtu.be/A4eu-h_owaI
- How Coronavirus Kills: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) & Treatment: https://youtu.be/okg7uq_HrhQ
Many other videos on COVID-19 (coronavirus outbreak, coronavirus symptoms, influenza, coronavirus epidemic, coronavirus updates, coronavirus vaccine, boosting the immune system, vitamin D, vitamin C, Zinc, Quercetin, NAC, n-acetyl cysteine, Sleep, Insomnia, PPE, hydroxychloroquine, ultrasound to diagnose COVID-19) and other medical topics (ECG Interpretation, hypertension, anticoagulation, DKA, acute kidney injury, influenza, measles, mechanical ventilation, etc.) at MedCam.com
Speaker: Roger Seheult, MD
Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine.
MedCram provides videos to a variety of medical schools, education programs, and institutions (please contact us at customers@medcram.com if you are interested)
Media Contact: customers@medcram.com
Media contact info: https://www.medcram.com/pages/media-contact?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Video+Link+Clicks&utm_term=Coronavirus+Update+59%3A+Dr.+Roger+Seheult%27s+Daily+Regimen+%28Vitamin+D%2C+C%2C+Zinc%2C+Quercetin%2C+NAC%29&utm_content=NM2A2xNLWR4
MedCram medical videos are for medical education and exam preparation, and NOT intended to replace recommendations from your doctor.
#COVID19 #SARSCoV2 #Coronavirus[+] Show More
LA doctor seeing success with hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19
A Los Angeles doctor said he is seeing significant success in ...
Zinc nutrition as we enter endemic phase
Zinc and immune function: the biological basis of altered resistance ...
Zinc and immune function: the biological basis of altered resistance to infection
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9701160/
Zinc is known to play a central role in the immune system
and zinc-deficient persons experience increased susceptibility to a ...variety of pathogens
It is clear that zinc affects multiple aspects of the immune system
Zinc is crucial for normal development and function of cells mediating nonspecific immunity such as neutrophils and natural killer cells
Zinc deficiency also affects development of acquired immunity, activation of T lymphocytes and B lymphocyte help
B lymphocyte development and antibody production, particularly immunoglobulin G, is compromised
The macrophage, is adversely affected by zinc deficiency
Zinc is needed by these key immunologic mediators
Basic cellular functions such as DNA replication
RNA transcription, cell division, and cell activation
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2020.01712/full
Zinc deficiency results in altered numbers and dysfunction of all immune cells
Suboptimal zinc states have an increased risk for infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer
Risk groups for zinc deficiency
Malnutrition
Elderly and patients with various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
Mild zinc deficiency is largely sub-clinical,
it is unnoticed in most people
World Health Organization
Assumes that at least one third of the world population is affected by zinc deficiency
Zinc deficiency is responsible for 16% of all deep respiratory infections world-wide
Supplementation, for which minimal to no side effects are known.
Europe 10 to 20% zinc deficiency
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=https://www.phmk.es/i-d/suplementar-con-zinc-podria-reducir-la-mortalidad-en-el-paciente-de-covid-19&prev=search&pto=aue
Zinc Protects the Human Body From Entering of the Virus
Essential for tissue barriers equipped with cilia and mucus, anti-microbial peptides like lysozymes and interferons
The expression of tight junction proteins was found to be zinc-dependent
Mucociliar clearance of viruses is affected by zinc
Physiological concentrations of zinc increase ciliary beat frequency
Zinc-dependent alterations in gene expression by pneumocytes
Associations with interferons
Zinc Directly Inhibits Viral Replication
Direct antiviral effects of zinc have been demonstrated
E.g. coronaviridae, picornavirus, papilloma virus, metapneumovirus, rhinovirus, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, respiratory syncytial virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the hepatitis C virus
It was suggested that zinc can prevent fusion with the host membrane
Decreases the viral polymerase function
Blocks viral particle release
Destabilizes the viral envelope
Zinc Balances the Immune Response During Infectious Diseases
Hyper-inflammation, immune products including pro-inflammatory cytokines
Movement and over activation of immune cells to the lungs
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Need of zinc for lymphocyte development and function and that zinc supplementation can reverse lymphopenia
Zinc is indispensable in the signal cascade of the T cell receptor and as a second messenger
Zinc is required for B cell maturation and function
Zinc Supplementation in Respiratory Infections
A row of successful supplementation studies focusing on respiratory tract infection
In most cases, prophylactic zinc supplementation was more effective than therapeutic proceedings
Studies showed reduced symptom severity, reduced frequency, and duration of the common cold after zinc administration
Zinc supplementation of children in developing countries
Reduced pneumonia-specific morality by 15%
and 19% of pneumonia morbidity by 19%
Risk Groups and Symptoms of COVID-19 and Zinc Deficiency Reveal a Large Overlap
Low serum zinc levels are regularly observed in:
COPD, bronchial asthma, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases, kidney diseases, dialysis, obesity, diabetes, cancer, atherosclerosis, liver cirrhosis, immunosuppression, and known liver damage
57.5% elderly and nursing home residents in the U.S., showed significantly decreased zinc intake
Zinc supplementation was able to reconstitute immune function in elderly and zinc deficient individuals
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7482607/
(Journal of infectious diseases)
The study data clearly show that a significant number of COVID-19 patients were zinc deficient. These zinc deficient patients developed more complications, and the deficiency was associated with a prolonged hospital stay and increased mortality.
Foods containing zinc
Meat
Shellfish
Seeds
Nuts
Dairy
Eggs
Whole gains
Legumes
Potatoes
Dark chocolate
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-982/zinc
Boys and men age 14 and older, 11 mg/day
Women 19 and older, 8 mg/day
Pregnant women 11 to 18 mg / day
Lactating women 12 to 14 Mg/day[+] Show More