COVID-19 symptoms may resolve faster with VCO

Supplementation with virgin coconut oil (VCO) helped alleviate symptoms and inflammation in individuals with COVID-19, as shown in a single-blind study.

“This study confirms that VCO aids in symptom resolution and normalization of C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in COVID-19 patients with mild-to-moderate disease,” said the researchers.

Day 14 saw two-thirds (68 percent) of VCO recipients achieving negative RT-PCR test results as opposed to only 60 percent in the control arm. By end of intervention (day 28), all but two participants in the VCO arm were already negative for COVID-19, whereas in the control arm, there were still three who remained positive. [J Nutr Sci 2024;doi:10.1017/jns.2023.118]

Symptom-wise, all participants who consumed VCO were symptom-free by day 14. This effect was not seen until day 24 in the control arm. A comparison between arms yielded an 11-day difference, but it was not significant on Kaplan-Meier analysis (R=0.819).

“Early diminishment of symptoms is beneficial, especially since studies have shown that COVID-19 symptoms can last from 20 to 83 days, which can greatly affect an individual’s quality of life,” the researchers explained.

CRP concentrations

Baseline mean CRP concentrations in the VCO and control arms were 8.8 and 11.6 mg/L, respectively. According to the researchers, these levels suggest the presence of an infection or inflammation upon admission.

By day 14, CRP concentration in the VCO arm crossed the threshold level of 5 mg/L whereas in the control arm, it was 10.1 mg/L. Day 28 saw further drops, more so in the VCO vs control arm (2.4 vs 3.3 mg/L). “A plot of the CRP trends estimates that the control group fell below the threshold only around day 25,” the researchers said. “[T]he rapid normalization of CRP concentrations in the VCO arm shows that VCO can regulate the inflammatory process effectively.”

At baseline, over a third of VCO and control arm participants (34 percent and 40 percent, respectively) had CRP concentrations >5.0 mg/L. Post intervention, these percentages dropped to 13 percent and 24 percent, respectively.

Effective adjunct therapy against COVID-19

To boost the potential of VCO as COVID-19 adjunct therapy, the researchers aimed to substantiate the results of a previous trial that demonstrated the efficacy of VCO in providing rapid symptom relief and CRP lowering in patients suspected of having COVID-19. [J Funct Foods 2021;doi:10.1016/j.jff.2021.104557]

Seventy-six COVID-19–positive patients with mild-to-moderate symptoms were randomized to either the VCO (mean age 43.5 years) or control group (mean age 42.9 years) for 28 days. Participants in the VCO group were instructed to consume a determined dose of VCO based on body weight (0.6–1.2 mL/kg body weight) after meals. Control participants did not have to consume anything apart from the meals and their prescribed medications.

The researchers attributed the early symptom resolution and CRP normalization to the anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties of VCO and its ability to modulate the immune system. [Pharm Biol 2010;48:151-157]

Of note, both study arms still had COVID-19–positive participants by day 28 despite the symptom resolution and CRP normalization. According to the researchers, this effect may have been driven by the prolonged viral shedding of infected individuals and possible nucleic acid conversion, which triggers the prolonged positive RT-PCR test despite being within the recovery period. [Lancet Microbe 2021;2:e13-e22; J Med Virol 2020;92:2286-2287; J Med Virol 2020;92:1755-1756; J Med Virol 2020;92:1681-1683; JAMA 2020;323:1502-1503]

“[Taken together, the current] study bolsters the use of VCO as an effective adjunct therapy for COVID-19–positive patients showing mild-to-moderate symptoms,” the researchers concluded.