New York hospitals are treating coronavirus patients with high dosages of VITAMIN C after promising results from China

  • Dr Andrew Weber says he has been immediately giving his intensive-care patients 1,500 milligrams of intravenous vitamin C
  • The Long Island-based pulmonologist and critical-care specialist with Northwell Health says patients are given three to four doses a day 
  • The regimen is based on experimental treatments that were done in China
  • Jason Molinet, a spokesman for Northwell, says Vitamin C is being 'widely used' as a coronavirus treatment throughout the health system 
  • A clinical trial into the effectiveness of intravenous vitamin C patients with coronavirus was conducted on February 14 at Zhongnan Hospital in Wuhan 
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

Doctors throughout New York state are giving their critically ill coronavirus patients massive doses of vitamin C, a tactic said to have helped those hit the hardest in China.  

Dr Andrew Weber, a Long Island based pulmonologist and critical-care specialist with Northwell Health, shared that he has been immediately giving his intensive-care patients 1,500 milligrams of intravenous vitamin C.  

Those patients are then re-administered the doses of the powerful antioxidant three or four times a day, the doctor explained to the New York Post

Dr Andrew Weber said he has been immediately giving his intensive-care patients 1,500 milligrams of intravenous vitamin C. The recommended daily allowance for men is 90mg

Dr Andrew Weber said he has been immediately giving his intensive-care patients 1,500 milligrams of intravenous vitamin C. The recommended daily allowance for men is 90mg

Each dose is more than 16 times the daily dietary vitamin allowance of vitamin C advised from the National Institute of Health. 

For adult men, the allowance is 90 milligrams, with 75 milligrams recommended for women.

The Long Island based pulmonologist and critical-care specialist with Northwell Health shared that patients are given three to four doses a day

The Long Island based pulmonologist and critical-care specialist with Northwell Health shared that patients are given three to four doses a day

Weber said the regimen is based on experimental treatments administered to coronavirus patients in Shanghai, China. 

'The patients who received vitamin C did significantly better than those who did not get vitamin C,' he said. 'It helps a tremendous amount, but it is not highlighted because it's not a sexy drug.'

Jason Molinet, a spokesman for Northwell, said that Vitamin C is being 'widely used' as a coronavirus treatment throughout the health system. He noted, however, that the amount given to patients varies. 

'As the clinician decides,' Molinet added. 

Northwell Health is the state's largest healthcare provider, with 23 hospitals across New York. 

According to Molinet, approximately 700 patients across the hospital network are being treated for the coronavirus. He could not specify how many were receiving vitamin C treatment.

There are now 25,665 cases of the virus in New York, including 14,904 in New York City. 

Weber shared that the regimen is based off experimental treatments that were done in China. A clinical trial into the effectiveness of intravenous vitamin C patients with coronavirus was conducted on February 14 at Zhongnan Hospital (pictured) in Wuhan, China

Weber shared that the regimen is based off experimental treatments that were done in China. A clinical trial into the effectiveness of intravenous vitamin C patients with coronavirus was conducted on February 14 at Zhongnan Hospital (pictured) in Wuhan, China

Dr Weber explained that the vitamin C is just one treatment being given to coronavirus patients. They have also received the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine, the antibiotic azithromycin, as well as various biologics and blood thinners.

Patients with coronavirus who suffer sepsis - an inflammatory response that occurs when the body overreacts to the infection - suffer significant drops in vitamin C levels, said Weber.

'It makes all the sense in the world to try and maintain this level of vitamin C,' he added. 

A clinical trial into the effectiveness of intravenous vitamin C on patients with coronavirus started on February 14 at Zhongnan Hospital in Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the country's outbreak.

It is expected to be completed at the end of September, according to information on the US National Library of Medicine’s website. 

VITAMINS AND MINERALS TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

According to Chinese data, one in five patients with COVID-19 may be ill enough to need medical intervention. For the rest with symptoms, the best medication could be paracetamol, as this controls fever and pain. 

In order to help rebuild the immune system post-virus, experts recommend antioxidants which can be obtained from a variety of foods, such as berries, garlic and onion. 

Vitamin Injections London founder Bianca Estelle has recommended cocktails of vitamins and minerals, intravenous (IV) or intramuscular (IM) injection, as an alternative to oral supplements which can be harmful to the stomach in high doses.

The UK-based clinic administers high doses (dependent on factors including age and health condition. The antiviral concoctions are also great for preventing free radical damage and reducing inflammation caused by viruses.  

According to Chinese data, one in five patients with COVID-19 may be ill enough to need medical intervention. File image

According to Chinese data, one in five patients with COVID-19 may be ill enough to need medical intervention. File image

B VITAMINS 

B Complex vitamins also help boost the immune system after a viral infection. 

'Specifically B6,' Estelle says. 'It gives cells the energy they require to communicate effectively and function.' B6 supports red blood cell production and reduces inflammation. It cannot be made by the body naturally.

VITAMIN C

Coronavirus victims have reported symptoms of fatigue, body aches, fever, coughing and sneezing. 

Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant that protects the body against the effects of harmful agents (internal and external) and can negatively affect metabolic processes, leading to tiredness and fatigue. 

Chinese studies have been treating some infected people with high doses of vitamin C due to its anti-viral properties. 

Since it has a very low toxicity level, there is no risk of damaging vital organs, as long as the correct dose is administered for an individual as recommended by a health expert. 

VITAMIN D

According to a WHO study on respiratory tract infections, 'Vitamin D deficiency may affect the immune system as vitamin D plays an immunomodulation role, enhancing innate immunity by up-regulating the expression and secretion of antimicrobial peptides, which boosts mucosal defenses'. Magnesium is also found in vegetables, milk and fish (pictured)

According to a WHO study on respiratory tract infections, 'Vitamin D deficiency may affect the immune system as vitamin D plays an immunomodulation role, enhancing innate immunity by up-regulating the expression and secretion of antimicrobial peptides, which boosts mucosal defenses'. Magnesium is also found in vegetables, milk and fish (pictured)

According to a World Health Organization study on respiratory tract infections, 'Vitamin D deficiency may affect the immune system as vitamin D plays an immunomodulation role, enhancing innate immunity by up-regulating the expression and secretion of antimicrobial peptides, which boosts mucosal defenses'. 

Airborne illnesses such as coronavirus can get into the system via mucous membranes; eyes, nose and mouth.

Estelle hails the antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of D3, otherwise known as the 'sunshine vitamin'. Darker skin tones have more difficulty obtaining the benefits of vitamin D but slow-release adhesive skin patches provide 12 hours of continuous D3 supplementation, delivered directly into the bloodstream.

'The Vitamin D Shot is a safe treatment,' VitaminInjections.co.uk states. 'Rarely, however, Vitamin D injections can lead to a number of side effects - the most common of which are stomach discomfort and nausea.' 

Darker skin tones have more difficulty obtaining the benefits of vitamin D but slow-release adhesive skin patches provide 12 hours of continuous D3 supplementation

Darker skin tones have more difficulty obtaining the benefits of vitamin D but slow-release adhesive skin patches provide 12 hours of continuous D3 supplementation

MAGNESIUM 

Magnesium helps reduce inflammation in tissues and regulates the immune system response. Notably it helps keep organs, bones and nerves healthy.

Found in vegetables, milk, fish, pulses, and grains, about 15 percent is absorbed via oral supplement and it's absorbed at a much higher rate via IV.

ZINC 

Zinc helps flush out damaged cells and fight infection.  

According to VitaminInjections.co.uk, the trace mineral, stimulates the activities of nearly one hundred enzymes and is necessary for the healthy functioning of the body. Individuals lacking in this nutrient may be more susceptible to illness, meaning that an adequate amount of Zinc should ideally be present in the body’s cells.

Zinc is recommended for supplementing pre-existing deficiencies in order to enhance the body’s natural ability to defend itself against foreign invaders.

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