10 Best Supplements in Malaysia and How to Boost Your Immune System during this Coronavirus Pandemic
Your first line of defence is to prevent the virus from entering your body. Measures include social distancing, face mask and hand hygiene. Your second line of defence is your immune system. Your third line of defence will be the care given to you in the hospital.
While the treatment given to you in the hospital is not much within your control, your first line and second line of defence are very much within your control. In this article, we will focus on the roles of supplements, how it might boost your immune system and the evidence behind them.
Research has shown that supplementing with certain vitamins, minerals and other substances can improve immune response and potentially protect against illness.
However, note that some supplements can interact with prescription or over-the-counter medications you’re taking. Some may not be appropriate for people with certain health conditions. If you are on medications, be sure to talk with your doctor before starting any supplements.
This guide can help you make sense of the options and to separate the facts from fiction. Here is the list.
1. Vitamin C
Most people turn to vitamin C after they've caught a cold. Because your body doesn't produce or store it, you need daily vitamin C for continued health. Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C.
Vitamin C appears to be able to both prevent and treat respiratory and systemic infections by enhancing various immune cell functions. Prophylactic prevention of infection requires dietary vitamin C intakes that provide at least adequate, if not saturating plasma levels (i.e., 100–200 mg/day), which optimize cell and tissue levels. In contrast, treatment of established infections requires significantly higher (gram) doses of the vitamin to compensate for the increased metabolic demand. (PubMed).
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A large review of 29 studies in 11,306 people demonstrated that regularly supplementing with vitamin C at an average dose of 1–2 grams per day reduced the duration of colds by 8% in adults and 14% in children (PubMed).
Interestingly, the review also demonstrated that regularly taking vitamin C supplements reduced common cold occurrence in individuals under high physical stress, including marathon runners and soldiers, by up to 50% (PubMed, PubMed).
Additionally, high dose intravenous vitamin C treatment has been shown to significantly improve symptoms in people with severe infections, including sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) resulting from viral infections (PubMed, PubMed).
However, note that taking large doses of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on a regular basis lowers your level of copper, so if you are already deficient in copper and take high doses of vitamin C, you can compromise your immune system.
On Feb 11, 2020, a study on "Vitamin C Infusion for the Treatment of Severe 2019-nCoV Infected Pneumonia” was posted to ClinicalTrials.gov by Chinese researchers.
As of Mar 28, 2020, there were 2 new studies related to Vitamin C for COVID-19 on clinicaltrials.gov. One in Italy and the other in Saudi Arabia.
On the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, there is another new trial registered on Vitamin C and COVID-19: A randomized, open, controlled trial for diammonium glycyrrhizinate enteric-coated capsules combined with vitamin C tablets in the treatment of common novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19).
Time will tell what the outcome will be.
1.1 Best Vitamin C Supplement Malaysia
2. Vitamin D
In a 2019 review of randomized control studies in 11,321 people from 14 countries, supplementing with vitamin D significantly decreased the risk of respiratory infections in people deficient in this vitamin and lowered infection risk in those with adequate vitamin D levels (PubMed).
Other studies note that vitamin D supplements may improve response to antiviral treatments in people with certain infections, including hepatitis C and HIV (PubMed, PubMed, PubMed).
A study that was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in 2016, revealed that
elderly patients who had high doses of the Vitamin D3 were 40 per cent less likely to develop lung infections. Pneumonia, bronchitis and influenza are known to have higher death rates among older people because of their weakened immune system. Experts believe vitamin D helps to reinforce the first line of defense as people age, to prevent acute respiratory infections.
As for the dosage, anywhere between 1,000 and 4,000 IU of supplemental vitamin D per day is sufficient for most people, though those with more serious deficiencies often require much higher doses (PubMed).
2.1 Vitamin D Supplement Malaysia
You can purchase Vitamin D as a dietary supplement online and from local health stores i.e. Guardian and Watsons.
3. Zinc
What’s more, supplementing with zinc may be beneficial for those who are already sick.
In a 2019 study in 64 hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs), taking 30 mg of zinc per day decreased the total duration of infection and the duration of the hospital stay by an average of 2 days, compared with a placebo group (PubMed).
Supplemental zinc may also help reduce the duration of the common cold (PubMed).
Taking zinc long term is typically safe for healthy adults, as long as the daily dose is under the set upper limit of 40 mg of elemental zinc (PubMed).
Excessive doses may interfere with copper absorption, which could compromise your immune system.
Related: Zinc Sulphate is part of Dr. Vladimir Zelenko anti-coronavirus experimental protocol. Please take note that the protocol is experimental and has not been 100% proven. Do discuss with your doctor before taking the medication as per the protocol. The protocol is meant for out-patient treatment and is not for prevention.
3.1 Zinc Supplement Malaysia
You can purchase Zinc as a dietary supplement online and from local health stores i.e. Guardian and Watsons.
4. Garlic
Garlic has shown promise as a treatment for preventing colds and the flu.
Studies have shown that garlic reduces the risk of becoming sick in the first place, as well as how long you stay sick. It can also reduce the severity of symptoms (PubMed, PubMed).
One study gave 146 healthy volunteers either garlic supplements or a placebo for three months. The garlic group had a 63% lower risk of getting a cold, and their colds were also 70% shorter (PubMed).
Another study found that colds were on average 61% shorter for subjects who ate 2.56 grams of aged garlic extract per day, compared to a placebo group. Their colds were also less severe (PubMed).
4.1 Garlic Supplement Malaysia
You can purchase garlic as a dietary supplement online and from local health stores i.e. Guardian and Watsons.
6. Quercetin
A study published in 2020 by the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Labs used the most powerful IBM supercomputer to model which FDA approved compounds or supplements might interfere with the coronavirus binding to cells. To review, the coronavirus uses the ACE 2 (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) receptor to enter cells. Once in a cell, the coronavirus virus empties its RNA contents and hijacks the cell to start producing more viruses. So preventing the coronavirus from binding to the ACE 2 receptor is a good thing as it means the virus can’t get into your cells. The study modeled various compounds and at number 5 on the list as those that has the potential to block the virus was Quercetin.
A 2004 study showed that Quercetin blocked the entry of another SARS coronavirus into cells. A 2012 study basically concluded the same thing (PubMed). This coronavirus is called SARS-CoV-2 and is different from the others in its family. So has Quercetin been shown to do anything that prevents this novel virus from entering cells? A lab study in 2020 that has yet to be peer-reviewed, demonstrated that Quercetin and other compounds showed promise in blocking the SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus from entering cells.
6.1 Quercetin Supplement Malaysia
You can purchase Quercetin as a dietary supplement online at Lazada Malaysia.
7. Luteolin
Luteolin is a common flavonoid abundantly present in several plant products, including broccoli, pepper, thyme, and celery. Studies have shown that luteolin possesses beneficial neuroprotective effects both in vitro and in vivo. It also has antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties.
The IBM Modelling Study as mentioned above also studied other compounds and at number 3 on the list as those that has the potential to block the virus was Luteolin.
Turmeric and especially its most active compound curcumin have many scientifically-proven health benefits, such as the potential to prevent heart disease, Alzheimer's and cancer. It has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, and animal studies indicate that it may help improve immune function (PubMed).
A lab study in 2020 that has yet to be peer-reviewed, demonstrated that Curcumin and other compounds showed promise in blocking the SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus from entering cells.
8.1 Turmeric Supplement Malaysia
You can purchase Turmeric as a dietary supplement online and from local health stores i.e. Guardian and Watsons.
9. Probiotics
Probiotics can promote a healthy gut, enhance your immune system and reduce your risk of infection (PubMed, PubMed).
On the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, a study on probiotics for the treatment of COVID-19 was posted on Feb 18, 2020.
9.1 Probiotic Supplement Malaysia
You can purchase probiotics as a dietary supplement online and from local health stores i.e. Guardian and Watsons.
10. Alpha Lipoic Acid
Lipoic Acid (often called Alpha-lipoic acid) is an organic compound found in all human cells.
It’s made inside the mitochondrion — also known as the powerhouse of cells — where it helps enzymes turn nutrients into energy (PubMed).
Alpha-lipoic acid is both water- and fat-soluble, which allows it to work in every cell or tissue in the body. Meanwhile, most other antioxidants are either water- or fat-soluble (PubMed).
Please take note that the dosages for micronutrients are higher for treatment as opposed to maintenance. This is probably due to higher demand or the deficiency of the micronutrients are worse during a complicated viral infection. However, for prevention or maintenance, the dosages for most of the micronutrients are much lower.
Aside from supplements, there are other ways that may help improve immune response and to prevent you from catching the coronavirus.
Alert
While the treatment given to you in the hospital is not much within your control, your first line and second line of defence are very much within your control. In this article, we will focus on the roles of supplements, how it might boost your immune system and the evidence behind them.
Research has shown that supplementing with certain vitamins, minerals and other substances can improve immune response and potentially protect against illness.
However, note that some supplements can interact with prescription or over-the-counter medications you’re taking. Some may not be appropriate for people with certain health conditions. If you are on medications, be sure to talk with your doctor before starting any supplements.
This guide can help you make sense of the options and to separate the facts from fiction. Here is the list.
1. Vitamin C
Most people turn to vitamin C after they've caught a cold. Because your body doesn't produce or store it, you need daily vitamin C for continued health. Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C.
Vitamin C appears to be able to both prevent and treat respiratory and systemic infections by enhancing various immune cell functions. Prophylactic prevention of infection requires dietary vitamin C intakes that provide at least adequate, if not saturating plasma levels (i.e., 100–200 mg/day), which optimize cell and tissue levels. In contrast, treatment of established infections requires significantly higher (gram) doses of the vitamin to compensate for the increased metabolic demand. (PubMed).
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A large review of 29 studies in 11,306 people demonstrated that regularly supplementing with vitamin C at an average dose of 1–2 grams per day reduced the duration of colds by 8% in adults and 14% in children (PubMed).
Interestingly, the review also demonstrated that regularly taking vitamin C supplements reduced common cold occurrence in individuals under high physical stress, including marathon runners and soldiers, by up to 50% (PubMed, PubMed).
Additionally, high dose intravenous vitamin C treatment has been shown to significantly improve symptoms in people with severe infections, including sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) resulting from viral infections (PubMed, PubMed).
However, note that taking large doses of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on a regular basis lowers your level of copper, so if you are already deficient in copper and take high doses of vitamin C, you can compromise your immune system.
On Feb 11, 2020, a study on "Vitamin C Infusion for the Treatment of Severe 2019-nCoV Infected Pneumonia” was posted to ClinicalTrials.gov by Chinese researchers.
As of Mar 28, 2020, there were 2 new studies related to Vitamin C for COVID-19 on clinicaltrials.gov. One in Italy and the other in Saudi Arabia.
On the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, there is another new trial registered on Vitamin C and COVID-19: A randomized, open, controlled trial for diammonium glycyrrhizinate enteric-coated capsules combined with vitamin C tablets in the treatment of common novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19).
Time will tell what the outcome will be.
1.1 Best Vitamin C Supplement Malaysia
You can purchase liposomal Vitamin C as a dietary supplement online.
2. Vitamin D
In a 2019 review of randomized control studies in 11,321 people from 14 countries, supplementing with vitamin D significantly decreased the risk of respiratory infections in people deficient in this vitamin and lowered infection risk in those with adequate vitamin D levels (PubMed).
Other studies note that vitamin D supplements may improve response to antiviral treatments in people with certain infections, including hepatitis C and HIV (PubMed, PubMed, PubMed).
A study that was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in 2016, revealed that
elderly patients who had high doses of the Vitamin D3 were 40 per cent less likely to develop lung infections. Pneumonia, bronchitis and influenza are known to have higher death rates among older people because of their weakened immune system. Experts believe vitamin D helps to reinforce the first line of defense as people age, to prevent acute respiratory infections.
As for the dosage, anywhere between 1,000 and 4,000 IU of supplemental vitamin D per day is sufficient for most people, though those with more serious deficiencies often require much higher doses (PubMed).
2.1 Vitamin D Supplement Malaysia
You can purchase Vitamin D as a dietary supplement online and from local health stores i.e. Guardian and Watsons.
3. Zinc
Numerous studies reveal that zinc supplements may protect against respiratory tract infections like the common cold (PubMed, PubMed).
What’s more, supplementing with zinc may be beneficial for those who are already sick.
In a 2019 study in 64 hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs), taking 30 mg of zinc per day decreased the total duration of infection and the duration of the hospital stay by an average of 2 days, compared with a placebo group (PubMed).
Supplemental zinc may also help reduce the duration of the common cold (PubMed).
Taking zinc long term is typically safe for healthy adults, as long as the daily dose is under the set upper limit of 40 mg of elemental zinc (PubMed).
Excessive doses may interfere with copper absorption, which could compromise your immune system.
Related: Zinc Sulphate is part of Dr. Vladimir Zelenko anti-coronavirus experimental protocol. Please take note that the protocol is experimental and has not been 100% proven. Do discuss with your doctor before taking the medication as per the protocol. The protocol is meant for out-patient treatment and is not for prevention.
3.1 Zinc Supplement Malaysia
You can purchase Zinc as a dietary supplement online and from local health stores i.e. Guardian and Watsons.
Garlic has shown promise as a treatment for preventing colds and the flu.
Studies have shown that garlic reduces the risk of becoming sick in the first place, as well as how long you stay sick. It can also reduce the severity of symptoms (PubMed, PubMed).
One study gave 146 healthy volunteers either garlic supplements or a placebo for three months. The garlic group had a 63% lower risk of getting a cold, and their colds were also 70% shorter (PubMed).
Another study found that colds were on average 61% shorter for subjects who ate 2.56 grams of aged garlic extract per day, compared to a placebo group. Their colds were also less severe (PubMed).
4.1 Garlic Supplement Malaysia
You can purchase garlic as a dietary supplement online and from local health stores i.e. Guardian and Watsons.
5. Molecular Hydrogen
Molecular hydrogen has been shown to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Yes, we are referring to the hydrogen gas (H2) and not some fancy new chemical entity. It was discovered and reported in Nature in 2007 by a team in Japan, that inhaled hydrogen gas could act as an antioxidant and protect the brain from free radicals. This sparked the interest in its potential health benefits worldwide and led to many published and on-going clinical research.
Published in 2017, a group of researchers in China suggested that hydrogen-rich solution therapy may be a safe, reliable, and effective treatment for Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) induced by influenza and other viral infectious diseases (Ref).
A review in 2019 that included 113 references, has also focused on the potential mechanisms of molecular hydrogen against sepsis to provide a theoretical basis for clinical treatment (PubMed).
5.1 Hydrogen Water Malaysia
You can purchase Izumio (hydrogen water) from Lazada Malaysia. You can purchase online on a per carton basis (30 packs) or on a per pack basis.
Molecular hydrogen has been shown to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Yes, we are referring to the hydrogen gas (H2) and not some fancy new chemical entity. It was discovered and reported in Nature in 2007 by a team in Japan, that inhaled hydrogen gas could act as an antioxidant and protect the brain from free radicals. This sparked the interest in its potential health benefits worldwide and led to many published and on-going clinical research.
Published in 2017, a group of researchers in China suggested that hydrogen-rich solution therapy may be a safe, reliable, and effective treatment for Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) induced by influenza and other viral infectious diseases (Ref).
A review in 2019 that included 113 references, has also focused on the potential mechanisms of molecular hydrogen against sepsis to provide a theoretical basis for clinical treatment (PubMed).
5.1 Hydrogen Water Malaysia
You can purchase Izumio (hydrogen water) from Lazada Malaysia. You can purchase online on a per carton basis (30 packs) or on a per pack basis.
6. Quercetin
A study published in 2020 by the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Labs used the most powerful IBM supercomputer to model which FDA approved compounds or supplements might interfere with the coronavirus binding to cells. To review, the coronavirus uses the ACE 2 (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) receptor to enter cells. Once in a cell, the coronavirus virus empties its RNA contents and hijacks the cell to start producing more viruses. So preventing the coronavirus from binding to the ACE 2 receptor is a good thing as it means the virus can’t get into your cells. The study modeled various compounds and at number 5 on the list as those that has the potential to block the virus was Quercetin.
A 2004 study showed that Quercetin blocked the entry of another SARS coronavirus into cells. A 2012 study basically concluded the same thing (PubMed). This coronavirus is called SARS-CoV-2 and is different from the others in its family. So has Quercetin been shown to do anything that prevents this novel virus from entering cells? A lab study in 2020 that has yet to be peer-reviewed, demonstrated that Quercetin and other compounds showed promise in blocking the SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus from entering cells.
6.1 Quercetin Supplement Malaysia
You can purchase Quercetin as a dietary supplement online at Lazada Malaysia.
7. Luteolin
Luteolin is a common flavonoid abundantly present in several plant products, including broccoli, pepper, thyme, and celery. Studies have shown that luteolin possesses beneficial neuroprotective effects both in vitro and in vivo. It also has antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties.
The IBM Modelling Study as mentioned above also studied other compounds and at number 3 on the list as those that has the potential to block the virus was Luteolin.
8. Curcumin
Turmeric and especially its most active compound curcumin have many scientifically-proven health benefits, such as the potential to prevent heart disease, Alzheimer's and cancer. It has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, and animal studies indicate that it may help improve immune function (PubMed).
A lab study in 2020 that has yet to be peer-reviewed, demonstrated that Curcumin and other compounds showed promise in blocking the SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus from entering cells.
8.1 Turmeric Supplement Malaysia
You can purchase Turmeric as a dietary supplement online and from local health stores i.e. Guardian and Watsons.
9. Probiotics
Probiotics can promote a healthy gut, enhance your immune system and reduce your risk of infection (PubMed, PubMed).
On the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, a study on probiotics for the treatment of COVID-19 was posted on Feb 18, 2020.
9.1 Probiotic Supplement Malaysia
You can purchase probiotics as a dietary supplement online and from local health stores i.e. Guardian and Watsons.
10. Alpha Lipoic Acid
Lipoic Acid (often called Alpha-lipoic acid) is an organic compound found in all human cells.
It’s made inside the mitochondrion — also known as the powerhouse of cells — where it helps enzymes turn nutrients into energy (PubMed).
Alpha-lipoic acid is both water- and fat-soluble, which allows it to work in every cell or tissue in the body. Meanwhile, most other antioxidants are either water- or fat-soluble (PubMed).
As of Mar 28, 2020, there were 2 new studies related to Alpha Lipoic Acid for COVID-19 on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. One on Mar 8, 2020 and another on Feb 15, 2020.
10.1 Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplement Malaysia
You can purchase probiotics as a dietary supplement online and from local health stores i.e. Guardian and Watsons.
Conclusion
10.1 Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplement Malaysia
You can purchase probiotics as a dietary supplement online and from local health stores i.e. Guardian and Watsons.
Conclusion
Aside from supplements, there are other ways that may help improve immune response and to prevent you from catching the coronavirus.
- Wear protective face mask. This is to protect not only yourself but others.
- 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.
- Getting Enough Sleep
- Avoid Sugar
- Don't smoke.
- 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 excess alcohol.
- Regular physical activity (outdoor activities may not be allowed in countries with 'lock-down').
Alert
For those with a weakened immune system, existing heart or lung problem and the elderly, please see your doctor immediately if you suspect that you have been infected by the Coronavirus. If you have high blood pressure, please make sure that your blood pressure is well controlled, as the fever will likely to increase the blood pressure, raising your probability of getting a heart attack or a stroke.
References:
Read more: Coronavirus
References:
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/immune-boosting-supplements
- https://onedaymd.aestheticsadvisor.com/2020/01/ways-to-boost-your-immune-system.html
Read more: Coronavirus
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