Israeli scientists have claimed that a special food supplement containing zinc, copper and chemicals found in fruits can help fight the virus. A team from Tel Aviv University showed that a mixture of three food supplements, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), appears to be able to inhibit RNA virus replication in a remarkable way,’ the Times of Israel reported. In the study, published in the journal Pharmaceuticals, the team tested the mixture in the lab on cells from human lungs and elsewhere, as well as the RNA viruses that cause the flu and the common cold.
The scientists found that virus replication was reduced by at least 50 percent compared to normal conditions.
Professor Daniel Segal, from Tel Aviv University’s School of Biomedicine, said, “We have a mix of ingredients, each of which has already been approved by the FDA as a food supplement, and together RNA virus replication has been shown to play a significant role. Appears to be able to stop in a way.” was quoted as saying.
However, he acknowledged that the peer-reviewed research was done in-vitro and so far has not provided a firm indication of what effect the supplements might have on humans, the report said.
In addition to zinc and copper, supplements contain the compound flavonoids, which are found in some fruits and vegetables and are considered safe as a supplement.
Zinc is known to have anti-viral properties, but it is also known to struggle to enter cells. Other ingredients in the new supplement appear to enhance its ability to do so, Sehgal said.
SARS-CoV-2, the RNA virus that causes Covid-19, has not yet been tested, but Sehgal said he is optimistic that other viruses in the coronavirus family may also slow its replication given the consequences. can be done.
“Such a cheap combination of dietary supplements would be highly beneficial as vaccines as well as a safe prevention method affecting various RNA respiratory viruses,” Sehgal said.
“These results are very promising, potentially enabling the development of orally administered treatments,” said Professor Ehud Gazit, Tel Aviv University’s Blavatnik Center for Drug Discovery and part of the study.
He said such a product would represent an “important step forward”, as it would be safe, natural and potentially effective against a wide variety of viruses and variants.
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