COVID Protection with Supplements, Part 1 of 2

COVID remains an ongoing threat to individual and public health. Vaccines are widely recommended as the most effective means of reducing risk of infection and symptom severity. Unfortunately, the vaccines are not fully protective, not everyone is able to get the vaccines, and there may be legitimate concerns about vaccine safety. This paper will not look at relative risks of vaccines vs contracting the virus and will instead focus on non-vaccine and non-pharmacological approaches to reducing risk and improving treatment. These approaches can be helpful for both the vaccinated and nonvaccinated.

I am a professor of integrative medicine with experience teaching and doing research at several universities, including Stanford’s School of Medicine, where I was founding co-director of the Program for Integral Health. I have diligently tracked the best available evidence for broader prevention and treatment options during the course of this pandemic. The information in this article represents my current understanding of what is helpful, which may change as new evidence comes available.

This article is published in two parts. The first part, which you're reading now, contains a summary of recommended supplements for prevention and treatment, then lists a few additional supplements that may be effective, followed by some cautions about a couple supplements that may be contraindicated. The second part of the article then dives deep into the published research, with links to the original medical journal articles supporting each statement. This second part begins with an overview of the available research, continues with studies using supplement combinations similar to those recommended here, and finishes with a detailed breakdown of the actions, dosages, safety and best delivery methods for each of the recommended supplements.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor. None of the statements in this paper are intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is not meant as medical advice. If you have a medical concern, please consult with a healthcare professional.

Summary of Recommendations

Prevention

The following supplements have shown beneficial effects in reducing the risk of being infected with the Covid virus.

• Vitamin C: 2-4 g (2,000-4,000 mg) per day, may increase to level of tolerance. Buffered forms reduce stomach upset but are only partially absorbed. Liposomal forms are more completely absorbed. Distribute administration during the day, for instance taking half the total daily dose in the morning and half at night.
• Vitamin D3: 100 mcg (4,000-5,000 IU) per day. If you have not been taking D3 supplements, start with 10,000 IU/day for 3 weeks.
• Zinc: 15-30 mg per day. Use the higher dose if over 50 years old or have ongoing health concerns.
• Quercetin: 350-500 mg per day.
• Selenium: Total selenium intake of 200-300 mcg per day, including food sources. Two to three Brazil nuts per day should suffice. Take at a different time from vitamin C. Do not take more than the recommended amount for an extended period of time.
• Melatonin: 5-10 mg per day. One hour before usual bedtime.

Treatment

Immediate action is required in order for treatments to have the best effect. The earlier treatment begins, the better the outcomes. Begin treatment level dosages as soon as you believe you were exposed to the virus or when you experience the first possible symptom and continue until the symptoms subside. Prepare in advance for a possible infection by having a sufficient supply of these supplements on hand, especially of liposomal vitamin C. Each of these supplements have been shown in clinical trials to provide benefit even when combined with conventional medical treatments. Consult with your doctor about possible interactions with medications.

• Vitamin C: 8-12 g (8,000-12,000 mg) per day of liposomal vitamin C, taken in doses of 2-3g four times per day. Increase to tolerance. Some cases required up to 50 grams per day for resolution (through IV and under professional care).
• Vitamin D3: 250 mcg/ 10,000 IU per day
• Zinc: 40-150 mg per day, divided into two or more doses. Continue for 3-5 days after symptoms stop.
• Quercetin: 500-1,000 mg. Do not exceed 1,000 mg daily.
• Selenium: Total selenium intake of 300-600 mcg per day, including food sources. Three to six Brazil nuts per day should suffice. Take at a different time from vitamin C. Do not take this amount for longer than two weeks.
• Melatonin: 20-30 mg (or less to tolerance) per day, one hour before usual bedtime, or distributed through the day.

Possible Additional Supplements

Sinus spray. The primary mechanism of Covid infection is through absorption and initial proliferation of the virus in the nasal membranes. There is a Phase 3 clinical trial scheduled to end soon testing the effectiveness of a nitric oxide (NO) nasal spray as a Covid treatment. This is based on an earlier trial showing the spray was able to reduce viral load by 95% within 24 hours and by 99% within 3 days. This shows a nasally-delivered antiviral can be effective in reducing risk of Covid infection. The NO spray is not yet commercially available, but breathing exercises can increase sinus NO levels.

Slow, regular, full breaths in and out through the nose lead to increased production of NO in the sinuses. When you hum during the nasal exhale your sinuses collect 15 times as much NO compared to a silent nasal exhale. Even just 2-3 minutes can make a big difference, so breathe steadily and hum in the car while driving to any public place.

Xlear brand nasal spray can be used before and after venturing out in public. Its two principal active ingredients are grapefruit seed extract (GSE) and xylitol. Lab-based experiments (here and here) and human case studies suggest this combination has strong preventive and treatment effects. Lots of research shows GSE has anti-viral activity, and xylitol reduces the ability of viruses to attach and implant into the sinus membranes. Even a simple saline spray reduces infection risk and symptoms.

Curcumin with pepper. Curcumin is the medically-active ingredient in turmeric. Black pepper, which contains piperine, increases your body’s ability to absorb and use curcumin about 20-fold. Piperine has anti-inflammatory properties of its own, increasing immune function, and has also been found to bind to the protein spikes on the Covid virus and the ACE2 receptors in the host cells, possibly blocking the ability of the virus to infect the host cells directly. Curcumin also acts as an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-depressant, among many other positive effects. Oral curcumin with piperine has shown positive treatment effects against Covid in a randomized clinical trial. Curcumin’s ability to normalize the disruptive inflammatory process that leads to extreme respiratory distress in Covid are well established. You can take this daily as a general tonic and increase the dosage on exposure to the virus.

Nigella sativa. Commonly known as black seeds and sometimes referred to as black cumin, nigella sativa has strong evidence showing multiple positive health effects, including as an anti-viral. Preliminary clinical trials show effectiveness in treating Covid when delivered as an oil or as raw seeds in combination with honey. This plant is safe even at extremely high doses.

Gut health. The microbiota inside our digestive system are strongly tied to a healthy immune system. Two recent studies found an important connection between gut health and the risk of long Covid. Research-supported ways to improve gut heath include eating more fruits and vegetables, supplementing with probiotics and amino acids, eating fermented foods and yogurt, eating less sugar and other sweeteners, exercising, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress.

A Few Words of Caution

Elderberry is commonly recommended for its antiviral properties, but may not be the best choice to protect you from this virus. One of the many benefits elderberries or elderberry syrup provides is to make ACE2 receptors stronger and more active. Usually that’s a good thing, as healthy ACE2 receptors can improve respiratory function. The potential problem is that the current virus attaches to ACE2 receptors as its method of entry/infection. More active ACE2 receptors may translate into increased risk of infection. This relationship has not been tested, but it is at least a potential risk that can be avoided.

Elderberries should also not be used if you have been infected. One of the ways Covid causes serious damage is through inflammation of the lungs. Elderberries have been found in the lab to increase some of the chemicals known to cause this serious lung inflammation. This relationship has not been tested in humans or with the coronavirus. There is preliminary evidence a different part of the elderberry plant could be useful against Covid symptoms, but the precautionary principle may apply.

If you choose to supplement with vitamin E, use only products containing natural or plant-sourced forms of the vitamin. Synthetic forms of vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol, or any form starting with dl-) have been found to not only not confer benefits but to also produce harms.

Please open Part 2 of this article to read the medical evidence for each of the recommended supplements, along with safety records and suggestions for best methods of delivery.