Nutritional therapist Caroline Hind discusses the best supplements to take whilst recovering from Covid-19 

Multivitamins and minerals
A good combination multi-nutrient can make up for nutritional deficits even in a health diet and should cover an array of the micronutrients that support energy production and immune function. Look for a product with bioavailable folate rather than folic acid and, unless your doctor recommends it, avoid large quantities of iron that can interfere with your ability to fight off infection.

Find the right multi for you at Vitaminology.co.

Vitamin D
Multivitamins rarely contain an adequate dosage of vitamin D, so it’s good to supplement with additional, especially in the darker months due to the lack of sunlight. Vitamin D plays an important role in preventing long Covid by turning off the immune response once the threat of infection has been neutralized. This is vital in order to avoid long-term, chronic tissue inflammation that can perpetuate pain, fatigue and discomfort.

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Magnesium
Low magnesium levels appear to promote and perpetuate inflammation and therefore may increase the risk of long Covid. Magnesium works alongside vitamin D to support a healthy respiratory tract and preserve the function of infection-fighting cells. Choose easily-absorbed forms of magnesium such as magnesium malate, glycinate or taurate.

For all your magnesium needs, click here.

Quercetin
Quercetin is an antioxidant that has histamine-lowering properties. Although histamine is an important and necessary part of the immune response to an infection, it can be problematic when we can’t process it quickly enough.  Excess histamine can be a contributing factor in chronic fatigue, headaches and brain fog. The natural flavonoid quercetin inhibits histamine release and helps manage inflammation caused by viruses and other infections. 

Find supplements containing quercetin here.

Vitamin C
Studies suggest that vitamin C can be useful to support the body in fighting off a severe Covid infection. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is best bought separately so that the dosage can be increased to suit your needs. The buffered format, sodium ascorbate, is gentler on the stomach compared to ascorbic acid. As vitamin C is water-soluble it is excreted from the body quickly, so it’s important to include vitamin C-rich foods or supplement daily.

Top up your vitamin C levels here.

D-ribose
This is an important raw material for energy production within cells. D-ribose supplements have been seen to support better energy production and mood, as well as improved muscle and cardiac health in chronic fatigue conditions. As D-ribose is a sugar, people taking diabetes medications must consult their doctor before using it as a supplement.

Discover d-ribose here.

Please note, the list of supplements mentioned is not all-encompassing. Other nutraceuticals not listed above have also been shown to have an important role to play in managing long Covid and supporting individuals experiencing post-viral fatigue. Consider scheduling a consultation with a registered nutritional therapist to discuss your circumstances before deciding on the supplement protocol right for you.

If taking medication, please consult with your doctor before taking any supplements.

Article taken from Vitaminology’s Long Covid and Nutrition support kit report, written by Caroline Hind, Nutritional Therapist, with Vitaminology.