CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 96Vitamin D Research StudiesRespiratory viral infections researchVitamin C and Antioxidants Research

Effect of micronutrient supplements on influenza and other respiratory tract infections among adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Open access
Abioye, Ajibola Ibraheem, Bromage, Sabri, Fawzi, Wafaie·2021·BMJ Global Health
DOI 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003176PMC PMC7818810
Open this paper in CoChat — free accountOpen PDF

Abstract

Acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) are a leading cause of ill-health and death globally. Individual or multiple micronutrients have been shown to modulate immune function and affect the risk and severity of a number of infectious diseases. We systematically reviewed the evidence on the impact of micronutrient supplements to reduce the occurrence of ARIs and shorten the duration of ARI symptoms among adults. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted to estimate the pooled effects of vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc and multiple micronutrient supplementation (MMS) on the occurrence of ARIs and the duration of ARI symptoms. Vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of ARI (risk ratio (RR)=0.97; 95% CI 0.94 to 1.00; p=0.028) and shortened the duration of symptoms (per cent difference: −6% (95% CI −9% to −2%; p=0.003)). The RR of vitamin D to prevent ARI was farther from the null when diagnosis was based on clinical diagnosis or laboratory testing, compared with self-report and when the loading dose was <60 000 IU. Vitamin C supplementation reduced the risk of ARIs (RR=0.96; 95% CI 0.93 to 0.99; p=0.01) and shortened the duration of symptoms (per cent difference: −9% (95% CI −16% to −2%; p=0.014)). The effect of vitamin C on preventing ARI was stronger among men and in middle-income countries, compared with women and high-income countries, respectively. Zinc supplementation did not reduce the risk of ARIs but shortened the duration of symptoms substantially (per cent difference: −47% (95% CI −73% to −21%; p=0.0004)). Our synthesis of global evidence from randomised controlled trials indicates that micronutrient supplements including zinc, vitamins C and D, and multiple micronutrient supplements may be modestly effective in preventing ARIs and improving their clinical course. Further research is warranted to better understand the effectiveness that individual or multiple micronutrients have on SARS-CoV-2 infection and treatment outcomes.

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003176

Cites

16 of 16 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

A few free checks a day · papers already verified open instantly · results are public

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Many systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs suggest beneficial effects of flavonoids and probiotics, while the effects of vitamins A, C, D, E, and zinc remain controversial.

    “In recent years, many systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have explored the effectiveness of oral nutrient supplements in preventing RTIs,4,8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 suggesting beneficial effects of flavonoids and probiotics, while the effects of vitamins A, C, D, E, and zinc remain controversial.”

    From Comparative effectiveness of oral nutritional supplements in preventing respiratory tract infections among adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [4]

    The Introduction describes a synthesis of RCT evidence on micronutrient supplements and respiratory infections in adults, and the Results report mixed findings for vitamins A and E. But the Discussion reports preventive benefits for vitamins C and D and shorter symptom duration with zinc; the paper does not establish the claimed beneficial effects of flavonoids or probiotics. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Therapeutic supplementation with VD, VC, and zinc may outperform preventive supplementation in reducing RTI duration or symptom severity.

    “This NMA and current evidence suggest therapeutic supplementation with VD,173 VC,4,174 and zinc16 may outperform preventive supplementation in reducing RTI duration or symptom severity”

    From Comparative effectiveness of oral nutritional supplements in preventing respiratory tract infections among adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [4]

    The Results (Zinc supplementation; page unavailable) report that zinc shortened ARI symptom duration, while preventive zinc did not reduce ARI occurrence. That supports the suggested benefit of therapeutic zinc, but the paper does not compare therapeutic and preventive zinc for reducing symptom duration or severity. This citation is attached to zinc, not to the vitamin D or C claims. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Fewer systematic reviews have focused on the adult population.

    “However, fewer systematic reviews have focused on the adult population.”

    From Comparative effectiveness of oral nutritional supplements in preventing respiratory tract infections among adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as [4]

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

The self-check needs the paper’s full text.

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 103

  1. [3]Astuti I, Ysrafil Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): an overview of viral structure and host response. Diabetes Metab Syndr 2020; 14: 407– 12. 10.1016/j.dsx.2020.04.020 32335367 PMC7165108 · DOI
  2. [4]Ludvigsson JF Systematic review of COVID-19 in children shows milder cases and a better prognosis than adults. Acta Paediatr 2020; 109: 1088– 95. 10.1111/apa.15270 32202343 PMC7228328 · DOI
  3. [5]Wu Z, McGoogan JM Characteristics of and important lessons from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in China: summary of a report of 72 314 cases from the Chinese center for disease control and prevention. JAMA 2020; 323: 1239– 42. 10.1001/jama.2020.2648 32091533 · DOI · Paper page
  4. [7]Bergman P, Lindh AU, Björkhem-Bergman L, et al Vitamin D and respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One 2013; 8: e65835. 10.1371/journal.pone.0065835 23840373 PMC3686844 · DOI · Paper page
  5. [8]Vuichard Gysin D, Dao D, Gysin CM, et al Effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on respiratory tract infections in healthy individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One 2016; 11: e0162996. 10.1371/journal.pone.0162996 27631625 PMC5025082 · DOI
  6. [9]Mao S, Huang S Vitamin D supplementation and risk of respiratory tract infections: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Scand J Infect Dis 2013; 45: 696– 702. 10.3109/00365548.2013.803293 23815596 · DOI
  7. [10]Martineau AR, Jolliffe DA, Greenberg L, et al Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory infections: individual participant data meta-analysis. Health Technol Assess 2019; 23: 1– 44. 10.3310/hta23020 PMC6369419 30675873 · DOI
  8. [11]Charan J, Goyal JP, Saxena D, et al Vitamin D for prevention of respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pharmacol Pharmacother 2012; 3: 300– 3. 10.4103/0976-500X.103685 23326099 PMC3543548 · DOI · Paper page
  9. [13]Ran L, Zhao W, Wang J, et al Extra dose of vitamin C based on a daily supplementation shortens the common cold: a meta-analysis of 9 randomized controlled trials. Biomed Res Int 2018; 2018: 1– 12. 10.1155/2018/1837634 PMC6057395 30069463 · DOI
  10. [14]Hemilä H, Louhiala P Vitamin C for preventing and treating pneumonia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013: CD005532. 10.1002/14651858.CD005532.pub3 17253561 · DOI
  11. [15]D'Cruze H, Arroll B, Kenealy T Is intranasal zinc effective and safe for the common cold? A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Prim Health Care 2009; 1: 134– 9. 10.1071/HC09134 20690364 · DOI
  12. [16]Jackson JL, Peterson C, Lesho E A meta-analysis of zinc salts lozenges and the common cold. Arch Intern Med 1997; 157: 2373– 6. 10.1001/archinte.1997.00440410105012 9361579 · DOI
  13. [18]Wang L, Song Y Efficacy of zinc given as an adjunct to the treatment of severe pneumonia: a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trials. Clin Respir J 2018; 12: 857– 64. 10.1111/crj.12646 28488366 · DOI
  14. [19]Hodinka RL Respiratory RNA viruses. Microbiol Spectr 2016; 4. 10.1128/microbiolspec.DMIH2-0028-2016 27726802 · DOI
  15. [23]Hemilä H, Chalker E Meta-Analysis on vitamin C and the common cold in children may be misleading. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2019; 75: 1747– 8. 10.1007/s00228-019-02733-x 31377890 · DOI
  16. [24]Hemilä H, Chalker E Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013: Cd000980. 10.1002/14651858.CD000980.pub4 23440782 PMC8078152 · DOI · Paper page
  17. [25]Higgins JPT, Altman DG, Gøtzsche PC, et al The Cochrane collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials. BMJ 2011; 343: d5928. 10.1136/bmj.d5928 22008217 PMC3196245 · DOI · Paper page
  18. [28]Simpson S, van der Mei I, Stewart N, et al Weekly cholecalciferol supplementation results in significant reductions in infection risk among the vitamin D deficient: results from the CIPRIS pilot RCT. BMC Nutr 2015; 1: 7 10.1186/2055-0928-1-7 · DOI
  19. [30]Laaksi I, Ruohola J-P, Mattila V, et al Vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of acute respiratory tract infection: a randomized, double-blinded trial among young Finnish men. J Infect Dis 2010; 202: 809– 14. 10.1086/654881 20632889 · DOI
  20. [31]Arihiro S, Nakashima A, Matsuoka M, et al Randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation to prevent seasonal influenza and upper respiratory infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2019; 25: 1088– 95. 10.1093/ibd/izy346 30601999 PMC6499936 · DOI
  21. [32]Shimizu Y, Ito Y, Yui K, et al Intake of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 reduces duration and severity of upper respiratory tract infection: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group comparison study. J Nutr Health Aging 2018; 22: 491– 500. 10.1007/s12603-017-0952-x 29582888 PMC5866826 · DOI
  22. [33]de Gruijl FR, Pavel S The effects of a mid-winter 8-week course of sub-sunburn sunbed exposures on tanning, vitamin D status and colds. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2012; 11: 1848– 54. 10.1039/c2pp25179e 23104230 · DOI
  23. [34]Murdoch DR, Slow S, Chambers ST, et al Effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on upper respiratory tract infections in healthy adults: the VIDARIS randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2012; 308: 1333– 9. 10.1001/jama.2012.12505 23032549 · DOI
  24. [35]Slow S, Epton M, Storer M, et al Effect of adjunctive single high-dose vitamin D3 on outcome of community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalised adults: The VIDCAPS randomised controlled trial. Sci Rep 2018; 8: 13829. 10.1038/s41598-018-32162-2 30218062 PMC6138743 · DOI
  25. [36]Camargo CA, Sluyter J, Stewart AW, et al Effect of monthly high-dose vitamin D supplementation on acute respiratory infections in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 71: 311– 7. 10.1093/cid/ciz801 31420647 · DOI
  26. [37]Bergman P, Norlin A-C, Hansen S, et al Vitamin D supplementation to patients with frequent respiratory tract infections: a post hoc analysis of a randomized and placebo-controlled trial. BMC Res Notes 2015; 8: 391. 10.1186/s13104-015-1378-3 26319134 PMC4553208 · DOI
  27. [38]Martineau AR, Hanifa Y, Witt KD, et al Double-Blind randomised controlled trial of vitamin D3 supplementation for the prevention of acute respiratory infection in older adults and their carers (ViDiFlu). Thorax 2015; 70: 953– 60. 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2015-206996 26063508 · DOI
  28. [39]Martineau AR, James WY, Hooper RL, et al Vitamin D3 supplementation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (ViDiCO): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Respir Med 2015; 3: 120– 30. 10.1016/S2213-2600(14)70255-3 25476069 · DOI
  29. [40]Martineau AR, MacLaughlin BD, Hooper RL, et al Double-Blind randomised placebo-controlled trial of bolus-dose vitamin D3 supplementation in adults with asthma (ViDiAs). Thorax 2015; 70: 451– 7. 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2014-206449 25724847 · DOI
  30. [41]Aloia JF, Islam S, Mikhail M Vitamin D and acute respiratory Infections-The PODA trial. Open Forum Infect Dis 2019; 6: ofz228. 10.1093/ofid/ofz228 31660391 PMC6736285 · DOI
  31. [42]Aloia JF, Li-Ng M Re: epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiol Infect 2007; 135: 1095– 6. 10.1017/S0950268807008308 17352842 PMC2870688 · DOI
  32. [43]Denlinger LC, King TS, Cardet JC, et al Vitamin D supplementation and the risk of colds in patients with asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2016; 193: 634– 41. 10.1164/rccm.201506-1169OC 26540136 PMC4824938 · DOI
  33. [44]Ginde AA, Blatchford P, Breese K, et al High-Dose monthly vitamin D for prevention of acute respiratory infection in older long-term care residents: a randomized clinical trial. J Am Geriatr Soc 2017; 65: 496– 503. 10.1111/jgs.14679 27861708 PMC5357189 · DOI
  34. [45]Li-Ng M, Aloia JF, Pollack S, et al A randomized controlled trial of vitamin D3 supplementation for the prevention of symptomatic upper respiratory tract infections. Epidemiol Infect 2009; 137: 1396– 404. 10.1017/S0950268809002404 19296870 · DOI
  35. [46]Rees JR, Hendricks K, Barry EL, et al Vitamin D3 supplementation and upper respiratory tract infections in a randomized, controlled trial. Clin Infect Dis 2013; 57: 1384– 92. 10.1093/cid/cit549 24014734 PMC3805175 · DOI
  36. [47]Tran B, Armstrong BK, Ebeling PR, et al Effect of vitamin D supplementation on antibiotic use: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2014; 99: 156– 61. 10.3945/ajcn.113.063271 24108783 · DOI
  37. [48]Briggs MH Letter: clinical trials with vitamin C. Lancet 1974; 2: 1211– 2. 10.1016/s0140-6736(74)90855-1 4139630 · DOI
  38. [49]Carr AB, Einstein R, Lai LY, et al Vitamin C and the common cold: a second MZ Cotwin control study. Acta Genet Med Gemellol 1981; 30: 249– 55. 10.1017/S0001566000006450 7048833 · DOI
  39. [50]Anderson TW, Suranyi G, Beaton GH The effect on winter illness of large doses of vitamin C. Can Med Assoc J 1974; 111: 31– 6. 4601508 PMC1947567
  40. [51]Anderson TW, Reid DB, Beaton GH Vitamin C and the common cold: a double-blind trial. Can Med Assoc J 1972; 107: 503– 8. 5057006 PMC1940935
  41. [52]Sasazuki S, Sasaki S, Tsubono Y, et al Effect of vitamin C on common cold: randomized controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 2006; 60: 9– 17. 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602261 16118650 · DOI · Paper page
  42. [54]Peters E, Goetzsche J, Joseph L Vitamin C as effective as combinations of anti-oxidant nutrients in reducing symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in ultramarathon runners. S Afr J Sports Med 1996; 11: 23– 7.
  43. [56]Dahlberg G, Engel A, Rydin H The value of ascorbic acid as a prophylactic against »common colds».1. Acta Med Scand 1944; 119: 540– 61. 10.1111/j.0954-6820.1944.tb05420.x · DOI
  44. [57]Carson M, Cox H, CORBETT M, et al Vitamin C and the common cold. Occup Med 1975; 25: 99– 102. 10.1093/occmed/25.3.99 162650 · DOI
  45. [58]Clegg KM, Macdonald JM L-Ascorbic acid and D-isoascorbic acid in a common cold survey. Am J Clin Nutr 1975; 28: 973– 6. 10.1093/ajcn/28.9.973 1099894 · DOI
  46. [59]Elwood PC, Lee HP, St Leger AS, et al A randomized controlled trial of vitamin C in the prevention and amelioration of the common cold. Br J Prev Soc Med 1976; 30: 193– 6. 10.1136/jech.30.3.193 788820 PMC478963 · DOI
  47. [60]Elwood PC, Hughes SJ, Leger AS A randomized controlled trial of the therapeutic effect of vitamin C in the common cold. Practitioner 1977; 218: 133– 7. 319446
  48. [61]Cowan DW, Diehl HS, Baker AB Vitamins for the prevention of colds. J Am Med Assoc 1942; 120: 1268– 71. 10.1001/jama.1942.02830510006002 · DOI · Paper page
  49. [62]Karlowski TR, Chalmers TC, Frenkel LD, et al Ascorbic acid for the common cold. A prophylactic and therapeutic trial. JAMA 1975; 231: 1038– 42. 163386
  50. [63]Pitt HA, Costrini AM Vitamin C prophylaxis in marine recruits. JAMA 1979; 241: 908– 11. 10.1001/jama.1979.03290350028016 368370 · DOI · Paper page
  51. [67]Charleston S, Clegg KM Ascorbic acid and the common cold. Lancet 1972; 299: 1401– 2. 10.1016/S0140-6736(72)91143-9 4113614 · DOI
  52. [68]Brown WB, Mahoney F, Niedringhaus A Weather and susceptibility in relation to the spread of common cold; effect of ascorbic acid, in massive dosage, on duration. J Immunol 1945; 50: 161– 77.
  53. [70]Tebrock HE, Arminio JJ, Johnston JH Usefulness of bioflavonoids and ascorbic acid in treatment of common cold. J Am Med Assoc 1956; 162: 1227– 33. 10.1001/jama.1956.02970300027010 13366736 · DOI
  54. [72]Audera C, Patulny RV, Sander BH, et al Mega-dose vitamin C in treatment of the common cold: a randomised controlled trial. Med J Aust 2001; 175: 359– 62. 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2001.tb143618.x 11700812 · DOI
  55. [73]Anderson TW, Beaton GH, Corey P, et al Winter illness and vitamin C: the effect of relatively low doses. Can Med Assoc J 1975; 112: 823– 6. 1091343 PMC1958969
  56. [74]Abott P, Abrahams M, Adams MSM Ineffectiveness of vitamin C in treating coryza. Practitioner 1968; 200: 442– 5. 4870463
  57. [75]Van Straten M, Josling P Preventing the common cold with a vitamin C supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey. Adv Ther 2002; 19: 151– 9. 10.1007/BF02850271 12201356 · DOI · Paper page
  58. [76]Tyrrell DA, Craig JW, Meada TW, et al A trial of ascorbic acid in the treatment of the common cold. Br J Prev Soc Med 1977; 31: 189– 91. 10.1136/jech.31.3.189 338079 PMC479021 · DOI
  59. [77]Regnier E The administration of large doses of ascorbic acid in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. II. Rev Allergy 1968; 22: 948– 56. 4920714
  60. [79]Lewis TL, Karlowski TR, Kapikian AZ, et al A controlled clinical trial of ascorbic acid for the common cold. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1975; 258: 505– 12. 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1975.tb29309.x 1106302 · DOI
  61. [81]Al-Nakib W, Higgins PG, Barrow I, et al Prophylaxis and treatment of rhinovirus colds with zinc gluconate lozenges. J Antimicrob Chemother 1987; 20: 893– 901. 10.1093/jac/20.6.893 3440773 PMC7110079 · DOI
  62. [82]Farr BM, Conner EM, Betts RF, et al Two randomized controlled trials of zinc gluconate lozenge therapy of experimentally induced rhinovirus colds. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1987; 31: 1183– 7. 10.1128/AAC.31.8.1183 2820298 PMC174900 · DOI
  63. [83]Turner RB Ineffectiveness of intranasal zinc gluconate for prevention of experimental rhinovirus colds. Clin Infect Dis 2001; 33: 1865– 70. 10.1086/324347 11692298 · DOI
  64. [84]Veverka DV, Wilson C, Martinez MA, et al Use of zinc supplements to reduce upper respiratory infections in United States air force Academy cadets. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2009; 15: 91– 5. 10.1016/j.ctcp.2009.02.006 19341987 · DOI
  65. [85]Weismann K, Jakobsen JP, Weismann JE, et al Zinc gluconate lozenges for common cold. A double-blind clinical trial. Dan Med Bull 1990; 37: 279– 81. 2192839
  66. [86]Eby GA, Davis DR, Halcomb WW Reduction in duration of common colds by zinc gluconate lozenges in a double-blind study. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1984; 25: 20– 4. 10.1128/AAC.25.1.20 6367635 PMC185426 · DOI · Paper page
  67. [87]Hirt M, Nobel S, Barron E Zinc nasal gel for the treatment of common cold symptoms: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ear Nose Throat J 2000; 79: 778– 82. 10.1177/014556130007901008 11055098 · DOI
  68. [88]Mossad SB, Macknin ML, Medendorp SV, et al Zinc gluconate lozenges for treating the common cold. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Ann Intern Med 1996; 125: 81– 8. 10.7326/0003-4819-125-2-199607150-00001 8678384 · DOI
  69. [89]Turner RB, Cetnarowski WE Effect of treatment with zinc gluconate or zinc acetate on experimental and natural colds. Clin Infect Dis 2000; 31: 1202– 8. 10.1086/317437 11073753 · DOI
  70. [90]Godfrey JC, Conant Sloane B, Smith DS, et al Zinc gluconate and the common cold: a controlled clinical study. J Int Med Res 1992; 20: 234– 46. 10.1177/030006059202000305 1397668 · DOI
  71. [91]Mossad SB Effect of zincum gluconicum nasal gel on the duration and symptom severity of the common cold in otherwise healthy adults. QJM 2003; 96: 35– 43. 10.1093/qjmed/hcg004 12509647 · DOI
  72. [92]Petrus EJ, Lawson KA, Bucci LR, et al Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled clinical study of the effectiveness of zinc acetate lozenges on common cold symptoms in allergy-tested subjects. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp 1998; 59: 595– 607. 10.1016/S0011-393X(98)85058-3 32287355 PMC7118419 · DOI
  73. [93]Prasad AS, Fitzgerald JT, Bao B, et al Duration of symptoms and plasma cytokine levels in patients with the common cold treated with zinc acetate. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Intern Med 2000; 133: 245– 52. 10.7326/0003-4819-133-4-200008150-00006 10929163 · DOI · Paper page
  74. [95]Douglas RM, Miles HB, Moore BW, et al Failure of effervescent zinc acetate lozenges to alter the course of upper respiratory tract infections in Australian adults. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1987; 31: 1263– 5. 10.1128/AAC.31.8.1263 3307620 PMC174915 · DOI
  75. [96]Smith DS, Helzner EC, Nuttall CE, et al Failure of zinc gluconate in treatment of acute upper respiratory tract infections. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1989; 33: 646– 8. 10.1128/AAC.33.5.646 2665639 PMC172506 · DOI
  76. [97]Bernal-Orozco MF, Posada-Falomir M, Ortega-Orozco R, et al Effects of a dietary supplement on the incidence of acute respiratory infections in susceptible adults: a randomized controlled trial. Nutr Hosp 2015; 32: 722– 31. 10.3305/nh.2015.32.2.8219 26268104 · DOI
  77. [98]Jain AL Influence of vitamins and trace-elements on the incidence of respiratory infection in the elderly. Nutr Res 2002; 22: 85– 7. 10.1016/S0271-5317(01)00369-4 27315748 · DOI
  78. [99]Dangour AD, Albala C, Allen E, et al Effect of a nutrition supplement and physical activity program on pneumonia and walking capacity in Chilean older people: a factorial cluster randomized trial. PLoS Med 2011; 8: e1001023. 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001023 21526229 PMC3079648 · DOI
  79. [100]Girodon F, Galan P, Monget AL, et al Impact of trace elements and vitamin supplementation on immunity and infections in institutionalized elderly patients: a randomized controlled trial. min. Vit. AOX. geriatric network. Arch Intern Med 1999; 159: 748– 54. 10.1001/archinte.159.7.748 10218756 · DOI
  80. [102]Johnson MA, Porter KH Micronutrient supplementation and infection in institutionalized elders. Nutr Rev 1997; 55: 400– 4. 10.1111/j.1753-4887.1997.tb01582.x 9420452 · DOI
  81. [103]Hemilä H, Virtamo J, Albanes D, et al Vitamin E and beta-carotene supplementation and hospital-treated pneumonia incidence in male smokers. Chest 2004; 125: 557– 65. 10.1378/chest.125.2.557 14769738 · DOI
  82. [104]Meydani SN, Leka LS, Fine BC, et al Vitamin E and respiratory tract infections in elderly nursing home residents: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2004; 292: 828– 36. 10.1001/jama.292.7.828 15315997 PMC2377357 · DOI · Paper page
  83. [105]Hemilä H Vitamin E administration may decrease the incidence of pneumonia in elderly males. Clin Interv Aging 2016; 11: 1379– 85. 10.2147/CIA.S114515 27757026 PMC5055121 · DOI
  84. [106]Meydani SN, Han SN, Hamer DH Vitamin E and respiratory infection in the elderly. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2004; 1031: 214– 22. 10.1196/annals.1331.021 15753147 · DOI
  85. [107]van Schoor N, Lips P Global overview of vitamin D status. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 2017; 46: 845– 70. 10.1016/j.ecl.2017.07.002 29080639 · DOI
  86. [108]Lei G-S, Zhang C, Cheng B-H, et al Mechanisms of action of vitamin D as supplemental therapy for Pneumocystis pneumonia. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2017; 61. 10.1128/AAC.01226-17. [Epub ahead of print: 22 Sept 2017]. PMC5610499 28760906 · DOI
  87. [109]Lemire JM, Archer DC, Beck L, et al Immunosuppressive actions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3: preferential inhibition of Th1 functions. J Nutr 1995; 125: 1704S– -08S. 10.1093/jn/125.suppl_6.1704S 7782931 · DOI
  88. [110]Boonstra A, Barrat FJ, Crain C, et al 1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin d3 has a direct effect on naive CD4(+) T cells to enhance the development of Th2 cells. J Immunol 2001; 167: 4974– 80. 10.4049/jimmunol.167.9.4974 11673504 · DOI
  89. [111]Padayatty SJ, Levine M Vitamin C: the known and the unknown and Goldilocks. Oral Dis 2016; 22: 463– 93. 10.1111/odi.12446 26808119 PMC4959991 · DOI · Paper page
  90. [112]Hemilä H Vitamin C, respiratory infections and the immune system. Trends Immunol 2003; 24: 579– 80. 10.1016/j.it.2003.09.004 14596879 PMC7129436 · DOI
  91. [113]Hemilä H Vitamin C and infections. Nutrients 2017; 9. 10.3390/nu9040339. [Epub ahead of print: 29 Mar 2017]. PMC5409678 28353648 · DOI · Paper page
  92. [114]Borrelli E, Roux-Lombard P, Grau GE, et al Plasma concentrations of cytokines, their soluble receptors, and antioxidant vitamins can predict the development of multiple organ failure in patients at risk. Crit Care Med 1996; 24: 392– 7. 10.1097/00003246-199603000-00006 8625625 · DOI
  93. [115]Wessells KR, Brown KH Estimating the global prevalence of zinc deficiency: results based on zinc availability in national food supplies and the prevalence of stunting. PLoS One 2012; 7: e50568. 10.1371/journal.pone.0050568 23209782 PMC3510072 · DOI
  94. [116]Read SA, Obeid S, Ahlenstiel C, et al The role of zinc in antiviral immunity. Adv Nutr 2019; 10: 696– 710. 10.1093/advances/nmz013 31305906 PMC6628855 · DOI
  95. [117]Tanumihardjo SA, Russell RM, Stephensen CB, et al Biomarkers of nutrition for development (BOND)-Vitamin A review. J Nutr 2016; 146: 1816S– 48. 10.3945/jn.115.229708 27511929 PMC4997277 · DOI · Paper page
  96. [118]Prasad AS Zinc: role in immunity, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 2009; 12: 646– 52. 10.1097/MCO.0b013e3283312956 19710611 · DOI
  97. [120]Fawzi WW, Msamanga GI, Spiegelman D, et al A randomized trial of multivitamin supplements and HIV disease progression and mortality. N Engl J Med 2004; 351: 23– 32. 10.1056/NEJMoa040541 15229304 · DOI · Paper page
  98. [121]Sudfeld CR, Buchanan A, Ulenga N, et al Effectiveness of a multivitamin supplementation program among HIV-infected adults in Tanzania. AIDS 2019; 33: 93– 100. 10.1097/QAD.0000000000002033 30289815 PMC6599688 · DOI
  99. [122]Grant WB, Lahore H, McDonnell SL, et al Evidence that vitamin D supplementation could reduce risk of influenza and COVID-19 infections and deaths. Nutrients 2020; 12: 988 10.3390/nu12040988 PMC7352449 32492787 · DOI
  100. [123]Zhang L, Liu Y Potential interventions for novel coronavirus in China: a systematic review. J Med Virol 2020; 92: 479– 90. 10.1002/jmv.25707 32052466 PMC7166986 · DOI
  101. [124]Mohammad S, Mishra A, Ashraf MZ Emerging role of vitamin D and its associated molecules in pathways related to pathogenesis of thrombosis. Biomolecules 2019; 9: 649. 10.3390/biom9110649 PMC6920963 31653092 · DOI
  102. [125]Daneshkhah A, Agrawal V, Eshein A The possible role of vitamin D in suppressing cytokine storm and associated mortality in COVID-19 patients. medRxiv 2020 10.1101/2020.04.08.20058578 · DOI
  103. [126]Vieth R How to optimize vitamin D supplementation to prevent cancer, based on cellular adaptation and hydroxylase enzymology. Anticancer Res 2009; 29: 3675– 84. 19667164

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Abioye, A. I., Bromage, S., & Fawzi, W.
Affiliations
Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author
Abioye, Ajibola Ibraheem
ORCID
Venue
BMJ Global Health
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2021-01
Volume
6
Issue
1
Pages
e003176
ISSN
2059-7908 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003176
PMC
PMC7818810
OpenAlex
W3125790204
Cited by
96
References
16
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 18
FWCI
3.42
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • BMJ Global Health (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Respiratory viral infections research
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Vitamin C and Antioxidants Research
Keywords
micronutrient supplementation, acute respiratory infections, influenza, vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, multiple micronutrient supplements, symptom duration, adults, immune function, COVID-19 pandemic
MeSH terms
COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Humans, Influenza, Human, Respiratory Tract Infections, Micronutrients, Dietary Supplements

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review