You may be thinking about approaches to boost your immune system in light of the worries over COVID-19 variants and the impending flu season. Your immune system defends you from infections every day, but it can be compromised by environmental factors such as chronic disease, stress, sleep deprivation, and poor diet. Research suggests that vitamin supplementation may help you boost your immunity and protect and aid in recovery from COVID-19 and other viral infections. Intravenous (IV) vitamins and minerals are better absorbed due to bypassing the digestive process and going directly into the blood stream.
What Is IV Vitamin Therapy, And How Can It Improve Immunity?
IV Therapy is a type of intravenous treatment that provides the body with vitamins and minerals to restore deficiencies and promote recovery.
Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants promote the creation and dispersion of white blood cells, enhancing your immune system’s response to infections such as the common cold, influenza, COVID-19, and others. Moreover, antioxidants detoxify the body naturally, eliminating damaging free radicals that lead to toxin accumulation, inflammation, and a weakened immune system.
Immune-boosting IV therapies offer quick bioavailability for optimal organ function. Additionally, they aid in the gut’s health, which is home to 70-80% of the immune system.
Similar to other forms of supplements, IV therapies are most effective when delivered regularly and along with other health promoting activities such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.
A Few Key Players In The Immune System
Vitamin C– Vitamin C is essential for boosting the immune system’s resistance to viral infections. The antioxidant vitamin assists the body in removing excess free radicals that can cause cellular damage. Additionally, it promotes the development of white blood cells and aids in the maintenance of your muscles, bones, and circulatory system. Recent research indicates that large doses of IV vitamin C may be an effective adjunct therapy for COVID-19 patients [1,2].
Vitamin D– Vitamin D is believed to boost the activity of immune cells, such as T-cells and macrophages, which defend the body against infections. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a positive COVID-19 test result and an increased risk of severe disease. Consequently, increased vitamin D levels may reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 positivity, thus reducing the risk of hospitalization with severe disease [3].
B-Complex Vitamins– B-complex vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6) perform various critical tasks, including cardiovascular support, aiding in the conversion of food into energy, and supporting the immune system. They have been found to have a key role in circulating antibodies (the good guys) to antigens (the bad guys), therefore, boosting and accelerating immune system responses to infection [4].
Zinc– Zinc is crucial for immune cell growth and the immune system’s inflammatory response to infections- helping reduce out-of-control inflammation. According to a recent study, zinc supplementation may benefit as a preventative measure, as well as an adjunct to antivirals and other treatments for COVID-19 [5].
Water– The importance of adequate hydration can not be overstated. The body is mostly made up of water therefore it is a crucial component to keeping balance, flushing toxins, helping disperse nutrients, and supporting the healthy immune response.
Health Promoting Habits
While we cannot avoid being exposed to germs all together, there are steps we can take to lower the risk and prepare our immune systems to fight the good fight.
· Thorough hand washing with soap and water throughout the day
· Sanitize frequently used surfaces regularly
· Get vaccinated early against seasonal infections like the flu
· Avoid or minimize processed foods (eat one ingredient foods when possible)
· Ensure adequate intake of essential vitamins and minerals
· Get plenty of rest
· Regular moderate intensity exercise (a brisk walk, swimming, dance etc.)
· Maintain adequate hydration
· Minimize stress (Seek therapy, make time for things you enjoy, get some sunshine)
· Wear UVA/UVB sunscreen (Minimum 30 SPF) (Fact: While people of color do have some extra “built-in” sun protection from increased melanocytes, it only equates to around an SPF of 13, give or take. Dark skin does not show damage of the sun as quickly as fair skin, leading many to believe they can not burn and therefore do not need sunscreen. People of color do not get skin cancer as frequent however, if they do, they are more likely to die from it.) [6]
The Gist
Though data continues to emerge, research continues to show that deficiencies of key immune-boosting vitamins and minerals can negatively impact the body’s ability to fight COVID-19. IV vitamins have been utilized and have shown promising results as adjunct treatment of COVID and can help reduce the chance of developing severe disease. IV delivery can help to provide a higher concentration of vitamins and minerals into the body compared to other means. It also boosts hydration which helps to clear toxins from the body, among other benefits. IV therapy is most effective when delivered regularly and in combination with other health promoting habits such as hand washing, regular exercise, adequate sleep, healthy diet, and stress management. Those interested should discuss with their primary care provider whether utilizing IV therapy is right for them.
References
1. Cheng R. Z. (2020). Can early and high intravenous dose of vitamin C prevent and treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?. Medicine in drug discovery, 5, 100028. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7167497/
2. Huang, L., Wang, L., Tan, J., Liu, H., & Ni, Y. (2021). High-dose vitamin C intravenous infusion in the treatment of patients with COVID-19: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine, 100(19), e25876. https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/Fulltext/2021/05140/High_dose_vitamin_C_intravenous_infusion_in_the.62.aspx/
3. Demir, M., Demir, F., & Aygun, H. (2021). Vitamin D deficiency is associated with COVID-19 positivity and severity of the disease. Journal of medical virology, 93(5), 2992–2999. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33512007/
4. Shakoor, H., Feehan, J., Mikkelsen, K., Al Dhaheri, A. S., Ali, H. I., Platat, C., … & Apostolopoulos, V. (2021). Be well: A potential role for vitamin B in COVID-19. Maturitas, 144, 108-111. https://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(20)30348-0/abstract
5. Boretti, A. (2022). Zinc augments the antiviral potential of HCQ/CQ and ivermectin to reduce the risks of more serious outcomes from COVID-19 infection. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtemb.2022.126954. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0946672X22000347)
6. Shue-McGuffin, Katherine D.; Powers, Kelly (2022). Skin cancer in people of color: Misconceptions and opportunities for early detection and treatment. Journal of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association. 14(4). P- 152-160 doi: 10.1097/JDN.0000000000000693
