© Provided by Cover Media Taking multivitamins, probiotics or vitamin D supplements could reduce the risk of having a positive Covid-19 result, a new study has found.
Researchers analysed data from the COVID Symptom Study app, which was launched in the U.K., the U.S., and Sweden in March 2020, and discovered that those who were taking the supplements, especially women, were more likely to test negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The app relies on self-reported information from users in an effort to understand the evolution of the pandemic, and more than 372,000 users in the U.K. were asked about their regular use of dietary supplements from May to July last year, as well as any information on Covid-19 test results.
They found that overall, 23,521 people in the U.K. group tested positive for Covid-19, and 349,199 tested negative.
During that time period, 175,652 users took supplements and multivitamins, two-thirds (67 per cent) of which were women, and more than half were overweight.
Researchers discovered that taking probiotics resulted in a 14 per cent lower risk of Covid infection, omega-3 fatty acids had a 12 per cent reduced risk, multivitamins had 13 per cent, and vitamin D was associated with a nine per cent lower risk of infection.
However, no such effects were observed among those taking vitamin C, zinc, or garlic supplements.
Protective benefits from probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, multivitamins and vitamin D were only observed in women of all ages and weights, and no such clear associations were seen in men.
The same overall patterns were seen in users from the U.S and Sweden.
Researchers have called for large clinical trials to be conducted to further study the effects of supplements on Covid-19 infection and negative test results.