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Nutritional supplements beneficial in acute illness

B-vitamins reduce chances of stroke

B-complex vitamins help break down the inflammatory factor, homocysteine, by metabolizing into essential, beneficial substances in the body. Doctors reviewed eight major homocysteine studies covering 8,513 participants who did or did not take B-complex vitamin supplements.

Overall, compared to placebo, the vitamin B group was 11 percent less likely to die from stroke, heart, or circulatory events. Vitamins B6, B9, and B12 were particularly effective in lowering homocysteine levels.

Also compared to placebo, homocysteine levels in those who took B vitamins were lower on average by 3.84 micromoles per liter of blood. Doctors consider 15 micromoles of homocysteine a moderate level of inflammation.

Discussing the findings, doctors said, “This meta-analysis presented substantial evidence of the benefit of B vitamins, especially among stroke patients, in lowering homocysteine and the risk of stroke and vascular deaths, with no documented side effect.”

Reference: Cureus; 2021, 10.7759, 14958, Published Online

Curcumin complementary treatment in Covid

Curcumin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-clotting effects, making it a promising candidate for treating Covid-19. In this study, 70 Covid-19 patients continued taking conventional Covid treatments while adding a probiotic placebo or 525 mg of curcumin plus 2.5 mg of piperine, twice per day during their hospital stay.

Compared to placebo, those in the curcumin group recovered sooner from fever, cough, sore throat, and breathlessness, and deteriorated less while in the hospital. The curcumin group was also better able to maintain oxygen saturation levels above 94 percent on ambient room air.

Fewer in the curcumin group required intubation or mechanical ventilation to maintain oxygen saturation, and when these were required, needed them for shorter periods of time. Those in the curcumin group also required fewer injections of remdesivir, and experienced fewer blood clotting episodes compared to placebo.

“Curcumin with piperine can significantly improve the effects of the Covid-19 treatment protocol,” doctors concluded. Curcumin complementary treatment in Covid

Reference: Frontiers in Pharmacology; August, 2021, 669362, Published Online