Vitamin A and COVID-19: Studies Show Vitamin A is Critical
Vitamin A plays a key role in regulating the immune system, development of lung tissue and repair of infection-related damage. To better understand its potential role in COVID-19, University Hospital Muenster researchers compared vitamin A blood plasma levels in critically ill and recovering COVID-19 patients. The study is one of the first to differentiate between unbound free vitamin A, retinol-binding protein (RBP) and total vitamin A. They found that critically ill patients in the acute phase of COVID-19 showed significantly decreased total vitamin A and RBP-bound levels compared to patients who were recovering. Although these results support previous studies that have shown vitamin A deficiency in patients with acute infections, the researchers say that more work is needed to understand how this deficiency might affect COVID-19 disease progression.
Richard Vollenberg will present this research on-demand starting at noon on Tuesday, June 14, during NUTRITION 2022 LIVE ONLINE (presentation details).
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The COVIDENCE UK study (published in Thorax, BMJ), studied more than 15,000 participants in UK from May 2020 to February 2021. Out of the 15,227 participants, 2.9% tested positive (446 cases).
Prospective survey-based study with 15,227 people in the UK, showing relatively lower risk of COVID-19 cases with vitamin A. However, it was not statistically significant.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnylJVgqr4YOqr_2UGGqenaMhm6QIES_NQhAtAiMCUP8-K1tG4ODc4HOMUi2FldeagBNMajT3ThXIaHvN-Q4Mg7sCKcTi-Imp0r0h1bw4MrcBUW7yBwd4J5YSnhZrqL2Kim8GRcKJxijdqih71rExj99EKdfiIxeq3rCZC_rn2OOwqfm9xZOY8fGKP/w640-h428/Screenshot%202022-07-15%20at%205.07.20%20AM.png)
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Richard Vollenberg will present this research on-demand starting at noon on Tuesday, June 14, during NUTRITION 2022 LIVE ONLINE (presentation details).
Please note that abstracts presented at NUTRITION 2022 LIVE ONLINE were evaluated and selected by a committee of experts but have not generally undergone the same peer review process required for publication in a scientific journal. As such, the findings presented should be considered preliminary until a peer-reviewed publication is available.
Vitamin A and COVID-19
As of July 2022, there are 8 published studies of vitamin A for treatment and prevention of COVID-19 (c19early.com/va).
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Vitamin A for COVID-19 Prevention
As you can see from the table and chart below, vitamin A is one of the most studied nutraceutical for prevention. The league table below suggests that vitamin A may be a better candidate as compared to vitamin D in terms of prevention. Although quercetin appears to be the most promising nutrient, the number of patients studied is relatively smaller as compared to vitamin A or D.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXs1jvmHfDcAL78_4CZpPUOuC1OqsZx6b-BG59afFCC1G1YVwpF5RAYbEH_v2uXv16MD1YOyMO49yLf-nh56PWA5GqEepOXgW4uQJnjbrzrKxcoUPuGs_I3jHt2V-aT8o48x1dlywEXCDqYbD-GKKQFGOAF0QhcBdMWpEckRB85sFo1TIsw9Kp3PNW/w601-h778/hpfppreppep%20(5).png)
The COVIDENCE UK study (published in Thorax, BMJ), studied more than 15,000 participants in UK from May 2020 to February 2021. Out of the 15,227 participants, 2.9% tested positive (446 cases).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnylJVgqr4YOqr_2UGGqenaMhm6QIES_NQhAtAiMCUP8-K1tG4ODc4HOMUi2FldeagBNMajT3ThXIaHvN-Q4Mg7sCKcTi-Imp0r0h1bw4MrcBUW7yBwd4J5YSnhZrqL2Kim8GRcKJxijdqih71rExj99EKdfiIxeq3rCZC_rn2OOwqfm9xZOY8fGKP/w640-h428/Screenshot%202022-07-15%20at%205.07.20%20AM.png)
Vitamin A for Early Treatment
If you refer to the C19Early.com league table below, the effectiveness of vitamin A as early treatment out-performs many other OTC (over the counter) compounds such as vitamin D, melatonin and povidone-iodine. That said, the number of patients studied is still relatively small.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhBbAPlKcJF9FQX5d1nRRdBdRy_JJ0jqt1u4jZ-iGBC92iSTkftwO3biWlsikOaCSURkp_G9zBv2AAkLMTV1TOYUlf4E1G5z7ymfP8lvI8bTNHDLfNe5_cAlluxeyuAtmBopxAfhr6MS3qVsrOdCJrQ5af_Wq0LN_irNA_6-ka-2pmGLQ4jA3vC6Z/w580-h901/hpfpearly%20(1).png)
Key Takeaways
Aside from supplements and preventive treatments, there are other ways that may help improve immune response and to prevent you from catching the coronavirus.
- Abundant evidence suggests that eating whole in fruits, vegetables and whole grains—all rich in networks of naturally occurring antioxidants and their helper molecules—provides protection against free radicals.
- Vaccination
- Getting Enough Sleep
- Avoid sugar, red meat and processed foods.
- Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.
- Try to minimize stress.
- Drink enough water to keep your body hydrated.
- Avoid drinking excess alcohol and stop smoking.
- Avoid crowded areas especially in-door.
- Regular outdoor physical activity. (Ref)
- Wear protective face mask. This is to protect not only yourself but others.
- Consult your nearest local healthcare provider if you have any doubt.
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