{"id":1754574,"date":"2022-11-29T06:30:12","date_gmt":"2022-11-29T11:30:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1754574"},"modified":"2022-11-29T09:33:41","modified_gmt":"2022-11-29T14:33:41","slug":"zinc-cuts-covid-death-risk-by-40","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/zinc-cuts-covid-death-risk-by-40\/","title":{"rendered":"Zinc Cuts COVID Death Risk by 40%"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fzinc-cuts-covid-death-risk-by-40%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1754574&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p><em>Twice-daily zinc for 15 days led to a significant reduction in death rate among people with COVID-19. It also reduced hospital stays and duration of symptoms.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"bodytext\" data-swiftype-name=\"postbody\" data-swiftype-type=\"text\">\n<p>It\u2019s estimated that 1 in 3 Americans is deficient in at least 10 minerals, zinc included.<sup><span id=\"edn1\" data-hash=\"#ednref1\">1<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0Not only does this put them at risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes,<sup><span id=\"edn2\" data-hash=\"#ednref2\">2<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0but it may increase risk of death or a hospital stay from COVID-19 if you\u2019re infected.<sup><span id=\"edn3\" data-hash=\"#ednref3\">3<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Zinc has been acknowledged as an essential mineral for human health since the 1970s.<sup><span id=\"edn4\" data-hash=\"#ednref4\">4<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0It\u2019s the second most abundant trace mineral found in the human body,<sup><span id=\"edn5\" data-hash=\"#ednref5\">5<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0but your body cannot store it very well, so you need to consume foods with zinc every day to meet your body\u2019s needs. More than 300 enzymes in your body require zinc for normal function,<sup><span id=\"edn6\" data-hash=\"#ednref6\">6<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0and it\u2019s well-recognized for its role in immunity and normal immune system development.<sup><span id=\"edn7\" data-hash=\"#ednref7\">7<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>During the pandemic, the late Dr. Vladimir Zelenko treated thousands of COVID-19 patients using a combination of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), azithromycin and zinc sulfate,<sup><span id=\"edn8\" data-hash=\"#ednref8\">8<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0with great success.<\/p>\n<p>However, the use of zinc for SARS-CoV-2 was a topic routinely flagged by COVID fact checkers as \u201cmisinformation,\u201d so word didn\u2019t really get out about its potential as an anti-COVID agent. Now, research once again shows zinc\u2019s promise for keeping people healthy if they get COVID.<\/p>\n<h2>Zinc Twice a Day Treats COVID-19<\/h2>\n<p>A team of researchers with Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital in Tunisia set out to determine zinc\u2019s efficacy in treating adults with COVID-19. \u201cLike in many other diseases, regulation of white blood cell production using immuno-nutrition is a novel concept that could be applied to COVID-19,\u201d they noted. \u201cSome molecules and nutrients such as zinc play central roles in keeping the function and integrity of the immune system.\u201d<sup><span id=\"edn9\" data-hash=\"#ednref9\">9<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>They conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, during which patients who tested positive for COVID-19 \u2014 including 190 outpatients and 280 hospitalized patients<sup><span id=\"edn10\" data-hash=\"#ednref10\">10<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0\u2014 received either oral zinc or a placebo twice daily for 15 days. Those taking zinc had a nearly 40% lower rate of death and admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). They also had shorter hospital stays and cut the number of days needed for their symptoms to resolve.<sup><span id=\"edn11\" data-hash=\"#ednref11\">11<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Specifically, mortality after 30 days was 6.5% in the zinc group compared to 9.2% in the placebo group. ICU admission rate was 5.2% in the zinc group and 11.3% in the placebo group. Further, those in the zinc group had, on average, a 3.5-day shorter hospital stay while their symptoms resolved 1.9 days sooner than those who received a placebo.<sup><span id=\"edn12\" data-hash=\"#ednref12\">12<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>The beneficial effects of zinc were seen even in subgroups of patients, including those under 65, people with comorbidities and those who needed oxygen therapy at the start of the study. No severe adverse effects were seen. In fact, more minor adverse events occurred in the placebo group (7.1%) than in those taking zinc (3.9%).<sup><span id=\"edn13\" data-hash=\"#ednref13\">13<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0The researchers concluded:<sup><span id=\"edn14\" data-hash=\"#ednref14\">14<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>\u201cTo our knowledge, this study is the first well powered, placebo-controlled clinical trial to report results of zinc for the treatment of patients with COVID-19.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>When administered orally to patients hospitalized with COVID-19 without end-organ failure, zinc demonstrated its efficacy to prevent ICU admission and to reduce hospital length of stay; for outpatients, zinc reduced symptom duration. Zinc should be considered for the treatment of patients with COVID-19.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2>Zinc Deficiency Linked to Worse COVID Outcomes<\/h2>\n<p>Research published in 2020 demonstrated that zinc is crucial to immune system function and deficiency can raise your risk of severe COVID-19 illness.<sup><span id=\"edn15\" data-hash=\"#ednref15\">15<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0\u201cThe study data clearly show that a significant number of COVID-19 patients were zinc deficient,\u201d the researchers noted. \u201cThese zinc deficient patients developed more complications, and the deficiency was associated with a prolonged hospital stay and increased mortality.\u201d<sup><span id=\"edn16\" data-hash=\"#ednref16\">16<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>There are a number of reasons why lack of zinc could worsen COVID-19 outcomes, not the least of which is zinc\u2019s antiviral properties and action as an immunomodulator. Zinc inhibits RNA synthesis and viral replication, while deficiency is associated with reduced natural killer cell function.<\/p>\n<p>Zinc supplements have long been used to treat the common cold, which is usually caused by coronaviruses, and are known to shorten the duration of symptoms and severity of respiratory infections.<sup><span id=\"edn17\" data-hash=\"#ednref17\">17<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0Writing in the Journal of Infectious Disease, researchers explained:<sup><span id=\"edn18\" data-hash=\"#ednref18\">18<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>\u201cInterestingly, hydroxychloroquine, a drug used initially in the management of COVID-19, is an ionophore that transports zinc across the hydrophobic cell membrane.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>Moreover, evidence specifically suggests that zinc supplements with antiviral drugs containing zinc ionophores precisely target and bind to SARS-CoV-2 preventing its replication within the infected host cells. Intracellularly, zinc binds with RNA-dependent RNA polymerase causing elongation inhibition and decreased template binding of the viral mRNA.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Chances are you\u2019ve heard of HCQ being used for COVID-19, but the real key in early treatment protocols that used HCQ is the zinc. The primary role of the HCQ is to boost zinc uptake in the cell.<\/p>\n<p>In similar research, COVID-19 disease severity was associated with low levels of selenium and mortality was associated with zinc deficiency, particularly in patients with diabetes. However, the majority of those who died had a combination of selenium and zinc deficits.<sup><span id=\"edn19\" data-hash=\"#ednref19\">19<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Micronutrients such as zinc, the researchers explained, \u201cmay be of high relevance for reducing SARS-CoV-2 infection risk, supporting the immune system in combating the virus, and avoiding long-term adverse health issues from COVID-19.\u201d They added:<sup><span id=\"edn20\" data-hash=\"#ednref20\">20<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>\u201cThere are \u2026 a number of studies and reviews highlighting a potentially important role of Zn [zinc] supply, Zn status and Zn distribution in COVID-19, suggesting supplemental Zn as a promising therapeutic adjuvant.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p><em>Virus replication is enhanced in Zn deficiency, and supplemental Zn can inhibit virus spread and proliferation, as shown in preclinical studies and infected subjects. It is assumed that Zn deficiency predisposes to severe COVID-19, and accordingly high death rates of COVID-19 patients with Zn deficits have been observed in clinics.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2>How Zinc Influences Immune Function<\/h2>\n<p>Zinc\u2019s complex role in immune function continues to be unraveled. Zinc is required for the development of disease-fighting T cells and for the regeneration of your thymus, which produces T cells.<\/p>\n<p>Further, a molecule inside your cells called GPR39 acts as a sensor that tracks changes in external zinc, and when the level rises, GPR39 triggers the release of a key renewal factor and thymic regeneration. In short, it appears that zinc helps the immune system to regrow immune cells.<sup><span id=\"edn21\" data-hash=\"#ednref21\">21<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat we think is going on is, as you give zinc supplementation, that gets accumulated within the developing T cells. It gets stored and stored and stored, then the damage comes along and the zinc is released,\u201d Dr. Jarrod Dudakov, an immunologist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, said in a news release.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNow you have more zinc than you normally would, and it can instigate this regenerative pathway.\u201d<sup><span id=\"edn22\" data-hash=\"#ednref22\">22<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0Zinc also influences immune function in a number of additional ways, including:<sup><span id=\"edn23\" data-hash=\"#ednref23\">23<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy alignnone size-medium wp-image-4889724\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/assets\/themes\/eet\/images\/white.png\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Screenshot-2022-11-28-at-11-17-43-Can-Zinc-Support-COVID-19-Patients-600x552-1.png\" alt=\"Epoch Times Photo\" width=\"600\" height=\"552\" \/><\/p>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4889724\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Screenshot-2022-11-28-at-11-17-43-Can-Zinc-Support-COVID-19-Patients-600x552-1.png\" alt=\"Epoch Times Photo\" width=\"600\" height=\"552\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h2>How to Improve Zinc\u2019s Effectiveness<\/h2>\n<p>One caveat regarding zinc is that it\u2019s not very bioavailable. To improve its uptake in your cells, zinc ionophores are useful. These work by shuttling zinc through the cellular membrane and into the cell, which is crucial for its role in stopping virus replication. In addition to HCQ, mentioned earlier, other zinc ionophores include chloroquine, quercetin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).<sup><span id=\"edn32\" data-hash=\"#ednref32\">32<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<p>When HCQ was banned from use for COVID, many wisely turned to quercetin, which is available over the counter and also has beneficial properties, such as antiviral activities,<sup><span id=\"edn33\" data-hash=\"#ednref33\">33<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0of its own. A number of studies have shown quercetin, when used early, also lowers your risk of hospitalization and death from COVID,<sup><span id=\"edn34\" data-hash=\"#ednref34\">34<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0and improves clinical outcomes.<\/p>\n<h2>Signs of Deficiency and Food Sources of Zinc<\/h2>\n<p>Common signs<sup><span id=\"edn35\" data-hash=\"#ednref35\">35<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0your body may need more zinc include lack of appetite, mental lethargy, impaired sense of taste or smell, frequent colds, flu or infections, hair loss<sup><span id=\"edn36\" data-hash=\"#ednref36\">36<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0and poor neurological function.<sup><span id=\"edn37\" data-hash=\"#ednref37\">37<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0Individuals at higher risk for zinc deficiency include those with malnutrition, persistent diarrhea,<sup><span id=\"edn38\" data-hash=\"#ednref38\">38<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0the elderly, people with inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, chronic alcoholics, vegetarians and vegans.<\/p>\n<p>Although it may be necessary to supplement during illness when your body needs more zinc, I recommend trying to get your zinc from foods. Fortunately, many foods are rich in zinc, including the following:<sup><span id=\"edn39\" data-hash=\"#ednref39\">39<\/span>,<\/sup><sup><span id=\"edn40\" data-hash=\"#ednref40\">40<\/span>,<\/sup><sup><span id=\"edn41\" data-hash=\"#ednref41\">41<\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy alignnone size-medium wp-image-4889720\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/assets\/themes\/eet\/images\/white.png\" data-src=\"https:\/\/img.theepochtimes.com\/assets\/uploads\/2022\/11\/28\/Screenshot-2022-11-28-at-11-17-22-Can-Zinc-Support-COVID-19-Patients-600x189.png\" alt=\"Epoch Times Photo\" width=\"600\" height=\"189\" \/><\/p>\n<p><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-4889720\" src=\"https:\/\/img.theepochtimes.com\/assets\/uploads\/2022\/11\/28\/Screenshot-2022-11-28-at-11-17-22-Can-Zinc-Support-COVID-19-Patients-600x189.png\" alt=\"Epoch Times Photo\" width=\"600\" height=\"189\" \/><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p><em>Originally published\u00a0<span id=\"bcr_PostDate\">November 28, 2022 on Mercola.com<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><i>Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/submission-guidelines_4553495.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">our form here<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Twice-daily zinc for 15 days led to a significant reduction in death rate among people with COVID-19. It also reduced hospital stays and duration of symptoms. It\u2019s estimated that 1<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1754577,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[547],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1754574","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-bongino-report"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1754574","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1754574"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1754574\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1754577"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1754574"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1754574"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1754574"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}