Can Vitamin C Protect You from COVID-19?

An important note

No supplement will cure or prevent disease.

With the 2019 coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, it’s especially important to understand that no supplement, diet, or other lifestyle modification other than social distancing and proper hygiene practices can protect you from COVID-19.

You may have noticed the vitamin C section of the supplement aisle looking bare these days or seen the claims on social media that vitamin C can help with COVID-19.

While physicians and researchers are studying the effects of high dose intravenous (IV) vitamin C on the new coronavirus, no supplement, including vitamin C, can prevent or treat COVID-19.

This article reviews what vitamin C is, how it affects immunity, how it’s being tried for COVID-19 treatment in a hospital setting, and whether taking an oral supplement is beneficial.
What is vitamin C?

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient with several roles in your body. It’s a potent antioxidant, meaning it can neutralize unstable compounds in your body called free radicals and help prevent or reverse cellular damage caused by these compounds.

It’s also involved in a number of biochemical processes, many of which are related to immune health.

The Daily Value (DV) for vitamin C is 90 mg per day, but breastfeeding women need an extra 30 mg and people who smoke need an extra 35 mg per day.

It’s pretty easy to meet your vitamin C needs through your diet as long as you eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. For example, a single medium orange provides 77% of the DV, and 1 cup (160 grams) of cooked broccoli provides 112% of the DV.

Vitamin C affects your immune health in several ways. Its antioxidant activity can decrease inflammation, which may help improve your immune function.

Vitamin C also keeps your skin healthy by boosting collagen production, helping the skin serve as a functional barrier to keep harmful compounds from entering your body. Vitamin C in the skin can also promote wound healing .

The vitamin also boosts the activity of phagocytes, immune cells that can “swallow” harmful bacteria and other particles.

In addition, it promotes the growth and spread of lymphocytes, a type of immune cell that increases your circulating antibodies, proteins that can attack foreign or harmful substances in your blood.

In studies of its effectiveness against viruses that cause the common cold, vitamin C doesn’t appear to make you any less likely to get a cold — but it may help you get over a cold faster and make the symptoms less severe.

There’s also some evidence from animal research and case studies in humans that high dose or IV vitamin C can reduce lung inflammation in severe respiratory illnesses caused by H1N1 (“swine flu”) or other viruses.

However, these doses were far above the DV, and there’s not enough research to support the use of high dose vitamin C for lung inflammation at this time. You shouldn’t take high doses of vitamin C supplements — even orally — because they can cause side effects like diarrhea.

    Summary

    Vitamin C is an important nutrient found in fruit and vegetables that may help shorten the duration and severity of colds. High doses are being studied for their potential to decrease lung inflammation, but more research is needed.

Vitamin C and COVID-19

In an article published in the Chinese Journal of Infection Diseases, the Shanghai Medical Association endorsed the use of high dose vitamin C as a treatment for hospitalized people with COVID-19.

Doses that are magnitudes higher than the DV are recommended to be given through IV to improve lung function, which may help keep a patient off of mechanical ventilation or life support.

Additionally, a 2019 review found that both oral and IV high dose vitamin C treatment may aid people admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) for critical illnesses by reducing ICU stay length by 8% and shortening the duration of mechanical ventilation by 18.2%.

Chinese researchers have also registered a clinical trial to further study the effectiveness of IV vitamin C in hospitalized people with COVID-19.

However, it’s important to note that vitamin C is not yet a standard part of the treatment plan for COVID-19 because evidence is still lacking .

Though high dose IV vitamin C is currently being tested to see if it can improve lung function in people with COVID-19, no evidence suggests that high doses of oral vitamin C supplements can help with the disease. In fact, they can cause complications like diarrhea .

    Summary

    High dose IV vitamin C has been used in China to help improve lung function in people with COVID-19. However, vitamin C’s effectiveness is still being tested. There’s no evidence to support the use of oral vitamin C supplements for COVID-19.

Do you need to supplement?

Currently, no evidence supports the use of oral vitamin C supplements to prevent COVID-19.

Vitamin C may help shorten the duration and severity of colds caused by other viruses, but this is no guarantee that it will have the same effect on the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Additionally, vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. It dissolves in water, meaning that excess amounts aren’t stored in your body but instead eliminated through your urine. Taking more vitamin C does not mean that your body is absorbing more .

High dose vitamin C supplements may even cause diarrhea, as they can signal your body to pull water out of the cells and into your digestive tract.

Moreover, although high dose vitamin C appears promising for COVID-19 treatment, these doses were exceptionally high and given via IV — not taken orally. Additionally, it was only given in cases severe enough to require hospitalization.

Your best bet is to eat a diet that’s full of a variety of fruits and vegetables, which naturally provide all the vitamin C a healthy person needs — along with many other nutrients and antioxidants.

Choosing a supplement

If you do choose to take a vitamin C supplement, it’s important to choose one that’s high quality and to take the correct dose.

While supplements are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they aren’t held to the same safety standards as pharmaceuticals. Thus, it’s important to purchase supplements from reputable companies.

Some third-party organizations, such as NSF International, ConsumerLab, and United States Pharmacopeia (USP), test supplements for purity and label accuracy. You may want to choose a vitamin C supplement that has been tested by one of these companies.

Additionally, the Upper Limit (UL) for supplemental vitamin C — the amount most people can consume daily without negative effects — is 2,000 mg.

Most vitamin C supplements provide a daily dose of anywhere from 250–1,000 mg, so it can be easy to exceed the UL if you’re not careful. Be sure to read the packaging and take only the recommended dose to avoid complications.

Vitamin C may also interfere with chemotherapy, radiation treatments, or cholesterol lowering drugs .

That said, when used in clinical settings treating critically ill patients, very high dose vitamin C treatments are safe and not associated with significant side effects .

If you have any concerns about vitamin C supplements, you should consult your healthcare provider before adding it to your routine.

    Summary

    There’s no evidence that vitamin C supplements help prevent COVID-19. In fact, high doses are likely just excreted through your urine. If you do supplement, choose a product tested by a third party and don’t take more than 2,000 mg per day.

The bottom line

Vitamin C is an important nutrient that keeps your immune system functioning properly.

According to a report published by the Shanghai Medical Association, high dose IV vitamin C may improve lung function in hospitalized people with COVID-19.

However, there’s no proof that oral vitamin C supplements will help treat or prevent COVID-19.

To get plenty of immune-strengthening vitamin C in your diet, make sure you’re eating a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Though there’s currently no cure for COVID-19, preventive measures like social distancing and proper hygiene can help protect you from developing the disease.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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Onion juice for hair growth

This remedy is regarded as one of most effective and oldest ones. The reason behind is that it contains sulphur that boosts collagen production in the tissues and helps in the re-growth of hair.

 Don't let its strong smell keep you away from using it, because it goes off just after one rinse. 

To try this remedy, cut a few slices of onion and squeeze out its juice (either by mashing it or grating it) and apply it on your scalp for about 10-15 minutes. 

Let it work its magic and then rinse it off with a mild shampoo.

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Vitamin D protects against colds and flu study confirms

Japanese doctors claim that the risk of flu in children can be lowered by 50 % if they take vitamin F supplements on a regular basis. Under normal condition, our bodies can naturally produce vitamin D through our exposure to direct sunlight. Vitamin D can be more powerful than anti-viral medicines or vaccines , a research has shown.

The Power of Vitamin D
In a clinical trial, only one in 10 children between the ages of 6-15 who took vitamin D caught the flu whereas the number of those in the placebo group was one in 5. The head of the trial, explains that vitamin D was found to be more powerful in averting the flu than vaccines were.

Additionally, vitamin D was also more beneficial when the comparison did not include children who were already given external vitamin D  by their parents, outside of the trial. Vitamin D was able to lower the chance for flu to a 3rd to what it would otherwise be.

This being said, it may not come as very shocking news to learn that a lot of Canadian and American physicians have been prescribing up to 50,000 IU of vitamin D on the daily as a therapy for numerous chronic illnesses.

Namely, lack of vitamin D is not uncommon during the winter period, especially in countries far north from the equator. And, vitamin D, also plays a role of an immune system modulator and averts excessive production of inflammatory cytokines and elevates the macrophage activity.

What's more, vitamin D encourages the production of powerful anti-microbial peptides in cells which are lining the respiratory tract and thus, keep the lungs safe from infections.
Flu reduction in children thanks to Vitamin D

The trial had 354 children participants and vitamin D kept them safe from influenza A, but not from the influenza B. This trial was randomized, double-blind and led by doctors and scientists from Japan.

During the research, the children took 1200 IU of vitamin D on a daily basis for 3 months. In the 1st month, the children from the group who took vitamin D became sick as often as those from the placebo group. But, things changed during the 2nd month when the level of vitamin D was much higher.

Though anti-virals are usually more beneficial than vaccines in the treatment of influenza, they are too expensive and also contains toxins. Therefore, vitamin D may be a much better solution. 
Namely, this vitamin D doesn't just avert bone fractures, but it also lowers the chance for heart illness, cancer, diabetes and viral and bacterial infections.

How Vitamin D3 strengthens the immunity\Although called a vitamin, this is actually a steroid hormone precursor which has a significant impact on the immune system.

Adults need around 5000 IU of vitamin D per day.

The healthy level of vitamin D in the blood is between 70-90 ng/ml.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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source- Science daily, Harvard

Daily consumption of almonds reduce facial wrinkles

Anti-aging regimens abound but emerging research suggests that one delicious addition to your skincare routine may be in your pantry instead of your makeup kit: almonds. 

A new pilot study wrinkles found that a daily snack of almonds in place of other nut-free snacks improved measures of wrinkle width and severity in postmenopausal women. A larger and longer-term follow-up study is underway. 

In this 16-week randomized controlled trial, 28 healthy postmenopausal women with Fitzpatrick skin type 1 or 2 (characterized by increased tendency to burn with sun exposure) were randomly assigned to one of two groups. In the intervention group, women ate almonds as a snack, which accounted for 20% of their total daily calorie intake, or 340 calories per day on average (60 grams). The control group ate a nut-free snack that also accounted for 20% of calories: a cereal bar, granola bar or pretzels. Aside from these snacks, study participants ate their regular diets and did not eat any nuts or nut-containing products.
Skin assessments were made at the start of the study, and again at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks. At each visit, facial wrinkles were assessed using high-resolution facial imaging and validated 3-D facial modeling and measurement. “These high resolution cameras allow for 3-D reconstruction of any wrinkles so that they can be mapped for their key characteristics of width and severity. The severity score is a calculation of the depth and length of a wrinkle,” explains  lead researcher on the study. Skin barrier function was also assessed, by measuring sebum production and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Skin barrier function examines the strength of the skin barrier and how well it protects skin from moisture loss (TEWL) and from harmful irritants coming from the environment.
By the end of the study at 16 weeks, photographic image analysis showed statistically significant improvements for participants in the almond snack group compared to the control group (P<0 .02="" br="">Wrinkle width decreased by 10%
Wrinkle severity decreased by 9%
There were no significant changes in skin barrier function between groups. “Food as a means of promoting skin health – the “health from the inside out” idea – is of growing interest to those looking for options for healthy aging,” says Dr. Sivamani. “It’s also a growing area of scientific research. Almonds are a rich source of antioxidant vitamin E and deliver essential fatty acids and polyphenols. They’re a smart choice for overall good nutrition. And, as seen in this study, almonds may hold promise as a food to include as part of a healthy aging diet, especially for post-menopausal women.”
Study at a Glance:
The Study: 28 healthy, postmenopausal women with Fitzpatrick skin type 1 (always burns, never tans) or 2 (usually burns, tans minimally) were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group. Almonds were provided as 20% of total daily calorie intake for the intervention group (340 calories/day on average), about 60 grams. The control group consumed a calorie-matched nut-free snack in place of almonds daily: cereal bar, energy bar or pretzels. All participants were advised not to consume any nuts or nut-containing products over the course of the study (except for the almond snack for the intervention group). They otherwise were advised to continue their usual daily energy intake.
After a four-week dietary wash-out period, participants were randomized to one of the two study groups detailed above. Study visits occurred at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 16 weeks.
Facial wrinkles were assessed using high-resolution facial photography and validated 3-D facial modeling and measurement at baseline, 8 weeks and 16 weeks. Skin barrier function was assessed by measurement of sebum production and transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
Results:
Photographic image analysis showed that the almond group had significant reductions in wrinkle width and severity, by 10 and 9%, respectively, compared to the control group at the 16-week time point (P<0 .02="" br="">
There were no significant differences in sebum production between groups after 8 and 16 weeks.

There were no significant differences between groups in transepidermal water loss (TEWL) from baseline after 8 and 16 weeks.

There were no significant changes from baseline in the skin barrier function (P=0.65) between the almond and control groups relative to baseline after 16 weeks.

Study Limitations
Aging is a long-lasting process so the findings from this 16-week study may be difficult to reproduce and generalize to extended periods of time. Skin-aging is also multi-factorial in nature and although certain groups were excluded (i.e., those with a smoking history), there is variance in aging confounders, such as frequency of UV light exposure and emotional stress, which were outside the scope of the study. This study was limited to cosmetic evaluation, as no measurements were made regarding collagen production. Study did not evaluate disease or younger subjects, so results are limited to otherwise healthy post-menopausal females. In addition, this was a pilot study with a limited number of participants. Future studies should expand to a larger recruitment pool.

ConclusionResults of this pilot study suggest that daily consumption of almonds may play a role in reducing wrinkle severity in post-menopausal women. The outcomes warrant future studies with expanded population groups and additional evaluations for signs of skin aging.skincare.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   
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The Health Benefits of Sleeping in a Cold Environment

We usually don’t value sleep, right until the moment when we don’t get enough of it, and when insomnia is to blame, every minute of shut-eye turns into precious and treasured time. But what if we told you  sometimes, it isn’t stress, genetics or your sleeping position  that’s to blame for poor sleep quality, it’s the temperature of your surroundings. It turns out that room temperature affects not only our sleep quality but our overall health as well.

In fact, scientists have proven that the cozy feeling you get when you sleep under the covers in a cold room isn’t just pleasant, but also beneficial for your metabolism and weight loss, may help lower chronic inflammation and pain and promotes hormonal regulation. Here is why you should try to always sleep in a cold room.

1. You’ll get more and better sleep

Temperature regulation plays an incredibly important role in our sleep, as our temperatures naturally drop by bed time. This is a necessary biological process that’s part of circadian rhythms that regulate our sleep, eating schedule and energy levels. And while this natural drop in body temperature works well in most people, a cool, but not freezing room temperature can facilitate this process and help you fall asleep faster.

The recommended range of temperatures is between 60 and 67°F (15-19°C). A cool room temperature is especially beneficial for those whose circadian rhythms are disrupted (which is true of some insomniacs), as it nudges your body in the right direction even when you don’t feel particularly sleepy.

2. Cold temperatures can help you get your beauty sleep

It’s known that melatonin production is at its peak when a person is in a dark and cool surrounding, which is a good thing, as melatonin does a lot of helpful things for our body. For one, melatonin is a powerful antioxidant, so it will make you age slower and be less prone to chronic disease.

As a bonus, melatonin also regulates fat cells in the body, so make sure you sleep in a dark and cold room if beauty maintenance is your goal.

3. Pain and inflammation decrease in the cold

If you ever applied a cold compress on a swollen wound and watched it get better, you have observed the anti-inflammatory effects of cold first hand. In fact, the pain brought about by inflammation may be the primary reason why you have trouble sleeping, so by literally cooling things down, you’ll be able to hit two birds with one stone and improve your symptoms and sleep better simultaneously.

4. Your metabolism benefits from cooler temperatures, and so does your waistline

A healthy metabolism is key to keeping such problems as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity at bay. One way to boost your metabolic health is to simply sleep in a cold room, as proven by a 2014 study. In this study, participants slept at a temperature of 66°F (19°C) for only 4 weeks, and by the end of the experiment, it was observed that their insulin sensitivity, as well as brown fat production, was much better than before.

Insulin sensitivity is a key marker measuring how well our body regulates blood sugar, and being more sensitive to insulin means you’re less at risk of suffering from metabolic syndrome and diabetes. An increase in brown fat, in turn, is also a beneficial marker, as brown fat is the kind of fat our body will use up, unlike white fat, that just accumulates in our body.

In this way, sleeping in a cold room may help you prevent diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and will keep your waistline in check.

 

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   
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Vitamin B12 deficiency: Complications that may follow with this condition

Also known as cobalamin, vitamin B12 is an extremely essential vitamin. It is important for the production of DNA and red blood cells. Additionally, it helps in effective functioning of your nervous system. Found in foods like eggs, meats, dairy products etc. this water-soluble vitamin can be helpful in keeping you healthy. Deficiency of cobalamin in the body can affect your health in many ways. It is characterized by symptoms like fatigue, weakness, sensation of pins and needles, breathlessness etc. Vitamin B12 deficiency is most commonly found in elderly people. Also, those who have had surgery where their bowel part was removed, people on drug metformin, those following a vegan diet etc. are at increased risk of developing this condition. The main reason for the symptoms you experience due to deficiency of this vitamin is that it causes lack of healthy blood cells in the body. If not taken care of on time, you may go through certain complications. Read on to know about them.

Problem in mobility: Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause damage to your peripheral nerve, that can further cause movement problem.

Anemia: Lack of B12 vitamin is followed by lack in production of DNA required to make red blood cells. And without it, cells won’t be able to divide and will cause megaloblastic anemia.

Mouth ulcer: If you are not eating foods containing enough of cobalamin, you will develop inflammation in your tongue that will further develop in to lesions.

Vision problem: Vitamin B12 deficiency can damage your optic nerves and cause blurred or disturbed vision.

Increased heart beat: Your heart beat may raise to make up with the loss of red blood cells in the body.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                    PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                       https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                     FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                   

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