Clinical trials on Zinc usage initiated for Treatment of Patients with Severe Symptoms of COVID-19
Australia to test use of intravenous zinc in COVID-19 fight for the first time ever Zinc is proven to be effective at slowing the rate that similar viruses such as SARS and common cold replicate in
- Australia to test use of intravenous zinc in COVID-19 fight for the first time ever
- Zinc is proven to be effective at slowing the rate that similar viruses such as SARS and common cold replicate in the body
In the first-ever move, clinical trials have been fast-tracked to test whether receiving a daily injection of zinc chloride will benefit patients with coronavirus. A world-first trial will see researchers from Austin Health and the University of Melbourne use intravenous zinc to fight the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). The trial is being led by Dr Joseph Ischia from Austin Health, along with Dr Oneel Patel from the Department of Surgery at the University of Melbourne, who has a long history of investigating the protective effects of intravenous zinc against organ damage induced by lack of oxygen.
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Key Facts about Zinc:
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Scientists and senior officials from prominent medical institutes have been emphasizing on the importance of an optimally functioning immune system to safeguard against the disease. Several clinical nutritionists have highlighted that zinc plays a pertinent role in treating severe pneumonia and improving antiviral immunity in addition to Vitamin C and D. President Donald Trump recently highlighted the potential role of zinc in his COVID-19 briefing and mentioned the apparent success in prescribing the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine in combination with zinc to treat patients with severe symptoms of COVID-19. While more scientific evidence is needed to show the full effectiveness of this treatment, it does appear promising as suggested by Dr. Anthony Cardillo – ER Specialist and CEO, Mend Urgent Care.
Zinc is an essential trace element and plays an active role in the function of more than 300 enzymes and hormones. Zinc is also critical to the supply chain of medical devices now in dire need now including Defibrillators, Artificial respiration devices, Ionization units, Air purifiers, Portable oxygen supplies, Inhalers amongst others. The loss or reduction of zinc availability for these critical applications could threaten response capability of hospitals and health systems, food distribution and logistics networks, and reduce or hamper mobility across the economy.
In line with these developments, International Zinc Association (IZA) – leading industry association dedicated exclusively to the interests of zinc and its users – has been closely monitoring the situation and working actively finding potential treatment with zinc for COVID-19. The association has collaborated with focussed zinc expert groups and will continue to share relevant updates with Indian authorities.
