People are once again interested in finding out what supplements they can take to protect themselves against COVID
Important note: The following are suggestions for prophylaxis or for mild symptoms only. Call your doctor and seek medical care if you are experiencing severe symptoms as effective treatments are available. Supplements may help your immune response, but are not a replacement for a two-dose vaccination series, which has been shown to be very effective against severe COVID. The following is intended for general information; for specific advise, please seek a consultation from your health providers.
Even among the fully vaccinated, the Delta variant can cause mild to moderate cold-like symptoms, thus it makes sense to explore ways to support the immune system to help it handle the stress. A sensible diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, exercise, adequate sleep, and other healthy lifestyle choices help maintain a healthy and resilient immune response. Supplements can be used to provide the body with additional support. For COVID, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, and Quercetin are usually recommended. B complex vitamins, N-Acetyl Cysteine, and Melatonin may be helpful as well.
Suggested doses for teens and adults are:
Vitamin C 500 mg twice a day
Vitamin D 1,000-5,000 IU per day (higher doses in range for treatment)
Zinc 30-100 mg per day (higher doses in range for treatment)
Quercetin 250 mg daily for prophylaxis, 250-500 mg twice daily for treatment
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) up to 1,200 mg twice a day
B complex - standard doses
Melatonin 2-10 mg at night (optimal dose not known, higher doses for treatment)
These can be taken individually, but that is a lot of pills to take. I found a high-quality supplement (OrthoMune by Ortho Molecular) that combines most of the necessary ingredients in proportions that make it easy to use and customize to the patient's needs.
For prophylaxis, 1 capsule twice a day would deliver: Vitamin C 300 mg twice a day, Vitamin D 2,500 IU per day, Zinc 25 mg/day, NAC 600 mg/day, Quercetin 250 mg/day
For treatment, 2 capsules twice a day would deliver: Vitamin C 600 mg twice a day, Vitamin D 5,000 IU per day, Zinc 50 mg/day, NAC 1200 mg/day, Quercetin 250 mg twice a day.
And as always, get vaccinated and follow the latest health guidelines. We are here to help you make sense of scientific developments and the ever changing recommendations!