Arthritis Foundation Logo
Español ES
Your Local Area
Sign In
Popular Search
arthritis gout home ja
Suggested Content
Article
Rx for Access
Online resource that helps patients better understand health coverage options, choose the right coverage, manage the denial process and reduce health care costs.
Article
Do I Have Arthritis?
Think you may have arthritis? Learn about the four most common warning signs.
Article
Gout
Gout is an inflammatory type of arthritis that can come and go.
Arthritis Foundation Logo
  • About Arthritis
    Common Topics
    woman holding her wristWhat Is Arthritis?

    Arthritis is not one disease. Learn about the different types of arthritis, how they differ and why it’s important.

    microbesInflammation and the Immune System

    Body-wide inflammation is at the root of most chronic diseases — and you may have more control over it than you think.

    Patient talking with nurseNewly Diagnosed With Arthritis

    A new arthritis diagnosis can be overwhelming. These tips can help.

    • Understanding Arthritis
    • Arthritis Types
    • More About Arthritis
    • Where it Hurts
    • Related Conditions
  • Treatments
    Common Topics
    Woman holding shoulderWebinar: Touch Therapies for Pain Management

    Learn the evidence behind popular touch therapies for arthritis, including what to try and what to avoid, for how long and when.

    Managing Arthritis Care Costs

    Learn the basics about health care costs and financial tools available to you.

    Man with head in hands on bedWebinar: Arthritis Fatigue Causes and Solutions

    Learn the various causes of arthritis-related fatigue and strategies to combat weariness.

    • Treatment Plan
    • Drug Guide
    • Joint Surgery
    • Complementary Therapies
    • Insurance Management
  • Healthy Living
    Common Topics
    Woman with upset stomachMicrobiome, Gut Health & Arthritis

    Microbiome, microbes, microorganisms – these terms may be confusing, but the types of bacteria living in and on our bodies can impact arthritis. Learn what helps or harms the microbiome and the health of your gut and discover dietary changes that can make a difference. This episode was originally released on January 19, 2021.

    man exercisingStairs Workout Demo

    Strengthen your leg muscles and improve your stability to make going up and down stairs safer and easier.

    woman consoling anotherArthritis and Mental Health

    Learn about the connection between arthritis, depression and anxiety and how these conditions can make your arthritis worse.

    • Ease of Use Products
    • Managing Pain
    • Recipes & Nutrition
    • Physical Activity
    • Emotional Well-being
    • Daily Living
    • Family & Relationships
  • Juvenile Arthritis
    Common Topics
    2023 JA Family Summit

    Learn about the National Juvenile Arthritis Conference, a place for families to connect, share and learn.

    JA Camps

    The Arthritis Foundation’s JA camp programs give kids with arthritis and related childhood rheumatic diseases the chance to make lasting memories.

    Juvenile Arthritis Volunteer

    • About Juvenile Arthritis
    • Treatment
    • Managing Pain
    • Medical Decisions
    • Nutrition
    • Emotional Well-being
  • Professionals
    Common Topics
    Transforming Clinical Interactions

    The Live Yes! Arthritis community connects patients with others online and in-person for support and education, and encourages patients to play an active role in their health care.

    Partners 4 Patients with Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation recently launched an initiative to build stronger relationships and increase recognition of our most engaged practices. 

    Fellowships

    See how we're aiming to address the growing shortage of arthritis specialists, especially in under-served parts of the country.

    • Better Living Toolkits
    • Our Issue Briefs
  • Science
    Common Topics
    OACS Forum Series

    The Osteoarthritis Clinical Studies Forum Series features OA thought leaders from across the globe discussing the future of how the disease can be treated to improve patient outcomes.

    man bandaging boy's kneeConquering Childhood Arthritis

    The Arthritis Foundation is mobilizing patients and their families to engage in studies comparing the effectiveness of treatments for juvenile arthritis and funding research for more options.

    Focus

    • Awards
    • Funding Opportunities
    • OACS Forum Series
    • Osteoarthritis Focus
    • Participate in Clinical Trials
    • Partnerships
    • Publications
  • Get Involved
    Common Topics
    Capital hillAction Center

    Take action today - use the resources here to learn who your elected officials are, what opportunities we have to advocate from the comfort of your own home, federal and state legislation, and more!

    LiveYes! Insights thumbnailLive Yes! INSIGHTS

    Share your experience in a 10-minute assessment to be among those changing the future of arthritis.

    woman listening to podcastLive Yes! Podcast

    You may have arthritis, but it doesn't have you. The Arthritis Foundation’s one-of-a-kind podcast. Hosted by patients, for patients.

    • Advocacy
    • Ways to Give
    • Fundraising
    • Volunteer
    • Partnership
    • Live Yes! Arthritis Community
Donate
Back

Using Vitamins and Minerals to Fight Viruses and Support Immunity

There is no pill or food that can prevent COVID-19, but certain supplements may help your ability to stay healthy or recover faster.

By Linda Rath

With the world’s attention focused on COVID-19, the illness caused by the new coronavirus, people with arthritis might wonder if there is something that protects them from getting infected. The internet has many remedies and recommendations – many unproven and a few downright dangerous. But some have potential benefit, whether you’re already sick or trying to stay healthy. This is especially true of vitamins and minerals, which are essential in supporting a healthy immune system. While no pill or food can prevent COVID-19, certain supplements may help your ability to stay healthy or recover faster.

Talk to your doctor before starting any vitamin, mineral or supplement – especially at higher than recommended daily doses – to make sure it is not contraindicated for any health conditions you might have and won’t interfere or interact with your current medications.

Vitamin D:

Vitamin D, commonly known for its role in bone health, also helps make proteins that kill viruses and bacteria, especially in the respiratory tract. In a 2019 analysis of 25 randomized controlled trials involving more than 11,000 patients, vitamin D supplements significantly reduced respiratory infections in people deficient in the vitamin and lowered the risk in those with normal levels. Benefits were greatest when people took vitamin D daily or weekly, rather in a single large dose, echoing the findings of other studies. Tod Cooperman, MD, president of the independent supplement testing company, Consumerlab.com, recommends 2,000 IU (50 mcg) of vitamin D a day, preferably in liquid form. But Daniel Small, MD, a rheumatologist with the Mayo Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin, says many people with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other autoimmune diseases may need to take much higher doses under a doctor's supervision.

Vitamin C:

Nobel Prize-winner Linus Pauling championed vitamin C as a cold cure decades ago, but research remains mixed. Some studies suggest that taking 500 mg twice daily can help prevent colds but not cure them. Other research has found that vitamin C may not prevent viral respiratory infections but can speed recovery.  Not in dispute: Vitamin C is vital for the function of leukocytes – white blood cells that help fight infections – and you need a lot more when you’re sick. There’s some evidence that it may help with certain symptoms that develop in critically ill patients with COVID-19 (such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis). Doctors in China are experimenting with intravenous vitamin C for patients with moderate to severe COVID-19. While vitamin C doesn’t build up in your body, a daily dose of 2,000 mg or more could cause diarrhea.

Zinc:

Decades of research have shown that zinc lozenges can shorten colds by 20% to 40%. This seems to hold true for both low and high doses – 80 mg to over 200 mg a day – and for different forms, including gluconate, sulfate, acetate and picolinate. Zinc works best if you start it at the first sign of symptoms. Doctors are taking a closer look at zinc for COVID-19, too. Pathologist and virologist James Robb, MD, who was among the first to study coronaviruses, writes that zinc can prevent them from “multiplying in your nose and pharynx.” But he also stresses that taking zinc is no “guarantee against being infected by the virus.” Other doctors say there’s not enough evidence to know for sure.

Zinc supplements come in lozenge, pill or liquid form. Consumerlab.com recommends taking a lozenge containing 13 mg to 23 mg zinc every two hours throughout the day for no more than a week if you have a cold. (Those without symptoms may not get any benefit.)

Too much zinc can have the opposite effect and blunt your immune response and can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea and headache. The National Institutes of Health sets the daily maximum limit at 40 mg day, unless being advised to take more under medical supervision. It’s also important to talk to your doctor before supplementing with zinc – too much can interact with various prescription medications. If your doctor gives you the go ahead, avoid zinc nasal spray, which a decade ago was linked to loss of smell, and choose lozenges that don’t contain citric acid, which can diminish its effectiveness.

Polyphenols:

Thousands of different chemicals known as polyphenols are found naturally in plants, including most fruits and vegetables as well as coffee beans, cocoa, nuts, green tea and extra virgin olive oil. Polyphenols are anti-inflammatory and may protect against a broad range of health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer and disorders that affect the brain, like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.  In lab (not human) studies, they’ve also been found to kill coronaviruses. One polyphenol – quercetin – proved especially effective against infections similar to COVID-19. Quercetin seems to work by preventing viruses from entering cells. A clinical trial of quercetin is underway in China.

In human research, polyphenols from green tea and blueberries helped prevent viral respiratory infections in athletes. You can buy polyphenol supplements or specific types, such as quercetin, but Dr. Cooperman at Consumerlab.com says it’s not yet known what type of quercetin or dose might be effective against the new coronavirus.

Potassium:

This mineral won’t prevent COVID-19 but could play a life-saving role in treating it.  The new coronavirus causes low potassium levels because it blocks an enzyme called ACE2 that regulates blood pressure by balancing potassium and sodium. Potassium loss can be especially severe in COVID-19 patients with heart disease or high blood pressure.  If you have mild respiratory symptoms, potassium probably won’t help. Still, only about 2% of American adults get enough. Experts recommend getting potassium from food instead of supplements, which could be dangerous for certain groups of people, including (but not limited to) those with kidney or heart disease and those who take particular blood pressure medications. Potatoes, lentils, beans, squash and dried fruit are good sources.

Probiotics:

There’s evidence in both animals and humans that probiotics containing Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains can improve your immune response to viruses and reduce the severity and duration of respiratory infections. In a Cochrane review of 12 randomized controlled trials, probiotics cut the number of respiratory infections nearly in half. When people did get sick, they recovered almost two days sooner than those who didn’t take probiotics – however, the authors caution many of the trials were poorly conducted. You can find probiotics in kefir, yogurt and fermented foods like miso and sauerkraut (look for unpasteurized products sold in the refrigerated sections of your supermarket). But supplements are probably the best way to get the amount needed to fight infections. Many probiotics are heat-sensitive and should be refrigerated, both at home and in the store where you buy them. Look for brands that have been independently tested by a third party for purity and potency.

Supplement Wisely

When shopping for supplements, it’s important to remember that not all are created equal. Unlike drug manufacturers, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require supplement makers to prove their product is safe or effective before selling them. For tips on choosing safe, quality supplements, click here.  

Again, always talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement. Your doctor can help you choose the right product and dose as well as help you avoid any potential medication side effects.

Complementary Therapies
View All Articles
Track Your Health
Share your experience with arthritis to shape research and patient care for yourself and others.
Participate
Stay in the Know. Live in the Yes.

Get involved with the arthritis community. Tell us a little about yourself and, based on your interests, you’ll receive emails packed with the latest information and resources to live your best life and connect with others.

 
Get Involved
  • Live Yes! Arthritis Community
  • Live Yes! Connect Groups
  • Live Yes! Online Community
  • Local Office
  • Fundraising
  • Webinars
  • Volunteer Portal
  • Store
About
  • About Us
  • Annual Report
  • Careers
  • Code Of Ethics
  • Financials
  • News and Stories
  • Privacy Notice
  • Terms of Use
  • Español
Join Us
  • Jingle Bell Run
  • JA Camps
  • Pathways Conference 2023
  • Walk to Cure Arthritis
  • Fundraise Your Way
  • JA Family Summit
Home Office
  • 1355 Peachtree St NE Suite 600
  • Atlanta, GA 30309
  • Helpline: 1.800.283.7800
  • Contact Us
Atlanta, GA
46° Arthritis Index Beneficial
See More Details
Arthritis Foundation is a qualified 501(c)(3) EIN 58-1341679
I Want to Contribute
I Need Help
  • Donate

    Donate

    Every gift to the Arthritis Foundation will help people with arthritis across the U.S. live their best life.

  • Volunteer

    Volunteer

    Join us and become a Champion of Yes. There are many volunteer opportunities available.

  • Live Yes! INSIGHTS

    Live Yes! INSIGHTS

    Take part to be among those changing lives today and changing the future of arthritis.

  • Partner

    Partner

    Proud Partners of the Arthritis Foundation make an annual commitment to directly support the Foundation’s mission.

Donate


Ways to Give

Every gift to the Arthritis Foundation will help people with arthritis across the U.S. live their best life. Whether it is supporting cutting-edge research, 24/7 access to one-on-one support, resources and tools for daily living, and more, your gift will be life-changing.

Make a Donation

Help millions of people live with less pain and fund groundbreaking research to discover a cure for this devastating disease. Please, make your urgently-needed donation to the Arthritis Foundation now!

Become a Member

Become an Arthritis Foundation member today for just $20 and you'll receive access to helpful tools..... and more. 

Make a Honor or Memorial Gift

Honor a loved one with a meaningful donation to the Arthritis Foundation. We'll send a handwritten card to the honoree or their family notifying them of your thoughtful gift.

Gift Planning

I want information on ways to remember the AF in my will, trust or other financial planning vehicles.
 

Other Ways to Give

  • Match Gift
  • Donate a Car
  • Donor-Advised Funds

Volunteer


Volunteer Opportunities

The Arthritis Foundation is focused on finding a cure and championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing information, advocacy, science and community. We can only achieve these goals with your help. Strong, outspoken and engaged volunteers will help us conquer arthritis. By getting involved, you become a leader in our organization and help make a difference in the lives of millions. Join us and become a Champion of Yes.

Become a Volunteer

More About Volunteering

  • Walk to Cure
  • Jingle Bell Run
  • Do it Yourself Fundraising
  • JA Camp
  • Start a Live Yes! Connect Group
  • Be an Online Community Moderator
  • Local Leadership Board

Live Yes! INSIGHTS


Give Just 10 Minutes.

Tell us what matters most to you. Change the future of arthritis.

By taking part in the Live Yes! INSIGHTS assessment, you’ll be among those changing lives today and changing the future of arthritis, for yourself and for 54 million others. And all it takes is just 10 minutes.

Your shared experiences will help:

- Lead to more effective treatments and outcomes
- Develop programs to meet the needs of you and your community
- Shape a powerful agenda that fights for you

Now is the time to make your voice count, for yourself and the entire arthritis community. 

Currently this program is for the adult arthritis community.  Since the needs of the juvenile arthritis (JA) community are unique, we are currently working with experts to develop a customized experience for JA families. 

How are you changing the future?

By sharing your experience, you’re showing decision-makers the realities of living with arthritis, paving the way for change. You’re helping break down barriers to care, inform research and create resources that make a difference in people’s lives, including your own.

Get Started

Partner


Meet Our Partners

As a partner, you will help the Arthritis Foundation provide life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections for people with arthritis, the nations leading cause of disability. Join us today and help lead the way as a Champion of Yes.

Trailblazer

Our Trailblazers are committed partners ready to lead the way, take action and fight for everyday victories. They contribute $2,000,000 to $2,749,000

Visionary

Our Visionary partners help us plan for a future that includes a cure for arthritis. These inspired and inventive champions have contributed $1,500,00 to $1,999,999.

Pioneer

Our Pioneers are always ready to explore and find new weapons in the fight against arthritis. They contribute $1,000,000 to $1,499,999.

Pacesetter

Our Pacesetters ensure that we can chart the course for a cure for those who live with arthritis. They contribute $500,000 to $999,000.

Signature

Our Signature partners make their mark by helping us identify new and meaningful resources for people with arthritis. They contribute $250,000 to $499,999.

Supporting

Our Supporting partners are active champions who provide encouragement and assistance to the arthritis community. They contribute $100,000 to $249,999.

More About Partnerships

  • Partner with Us
  • Ease Of Use Commendation
  • Let's Get a Grip On Arthritis
  • Promotions that Give Back