CLEVELAND — Despite their reputations for helping boost immune systems, a new study released by the Cleveland Clinic found vitamin C and zinc supplements do not help COVID-19 patients recover from the illness.

“There are many patients that take vitamin C and zinc when they have a cold, and they think that this might decrease their symptoms or the severity of their symptoms," explained Dr. Suma Thomas, the vice chairman of strategic operations and a cardiologist at the Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute. "We decided to study outpatients with COVID-19."

Thomas is a co-principal investigator of the study, which was recently published in the medical journal JAMA Open Network.

The trial studied 214 adult patients with a confirmed COVID-19 infection. Patients were randomized and either received 10 days of a high dose of zinc, a high dose of vitamin C, or a combination of both.

Another control group received normal care and did not receive the supplements.

“Our studies showed that high doses of vitamin C and zinc do not affect a patient's symptoms, severity or duration if you have COVID-19 and you're in an outpatient setting,” said Thomas. 

Finding no difference between patients who received the supplements and those who did not can be disappointing to some people as many look for ways to give themselves the best chance to fight the virus.

“Just because you have a healthy immune system doesn't mean you're never going to get sick. I mean, you can still get sick. You can still get exposed to illness,” said Kelli Santiago, a clinical dietician and wellness coach for University Hospitals in Cleveland.  

Santiago said supplements can’t hurt if taken in collaboration with a doctor’s recommendations, but she added the best way to keep an immune system ready to fight off sickness is to lead an overall healthy lifestyle.

“So if we are deficient in vitamins and minerals, if you are deficient in certain micronutrients, could that increase your risk for getting sick or increase your risk for a certain illness? Absolutely,” Santiago said. “A diet that would consist of lean proteins, healthy carbohydrates, like whole grains and plenty of fruits and vegetables is going to be the best thing to support your immune system from a nutrition standpoint.”

The medical professionals emphasize the best defense against COVID-19 is to, when possible, get a COVID-19 vaccine, continue to socially distance, wash hands often and wear a mask in public.

“We need to follow the CDC guidelines, and you really should talk to your doctor about any individual risks or your own risk because of your underlying conditions,” Thomas said. “And you really should focus on that and a healthy lifestyle.”