Impact of Zinc and Vitamin D3 Supplementation on the Survival of Aged Patients Infected With COVID-19

Impact of Zinc and Vitamin D3 Supplementation on the Survival of Institutionalized Aged Patients Infected With COVID-19

Mortality from Covid-19 increases with age, reaching 14.8% from the age of 80. The severity of the infection is linked to the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which requires intensive care. ARDS is the consequence of the reactional inflammatory storm that damages the lungs.

Aged subjects are particularly prone to zinc and vitamin D deficiency. These two micronutrients are able to modulate the immune response by reducing the inflammatory storm.

The hypothesis is that supplementation with zinc and vitamin D would reduce the inflammatory reaction which worsens ARDS and leads to the death of subjects infected with Covid-19.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Institutionalized

Exclusion Criteria:

• Life expectancy < 1 month independently of Covid-19 infection (overall subjects)
• Known hypercalcemia
• History of renal lithiasis