Evidence suggests hydroxychloroquine works for COVID-19 because it acts as a zinc ionophore, meaning it shuttles zinc into your cells. Canadian and Chinese researchers are collaborating on a study to assess the effectiveness of this alternative powerful immune booster and broad-spectrum antiviral.
STORY AT-A-GLANCE A Chinese trial comparing clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients treated with the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine and those receiving standard of care alone reports “disappointing” results.
The hydroxychloroquine group only had a 28-day negative conversion rate of 85.4 percent compared to the control group’s rate of 81.3 percent. No difference in the alleviation of symptoms was observed between the two groups.
The study did not, however, use supplemental zinc, which helps prevent viral replication. Evidence suggests hydroxychloroquine works for COVID-19 because it acts as a zinc ionophore, meaning it shuttles zinc inside your cells.
A Brazilian chloroquine trial stopped the high-dose arm of the study early due to patients developing ventricular tachycardia, a dangerous heart rhythm problem. Chloroquine is known to be more toxic than hydroxychloroquine.
Quercetin is a naturally occurring zinc ionophore. Taken with zinc, it may be helpful to prevent and potentially treat COVID-19. Research is currently underway to assess quercetin’s effectiveness against COVID-19. The debate about whether the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine is an effective treatment for COVID-19 continues, as a Chinese trial (1)(2)(3) comparing clinical outcomes of those treated with the drug and those receiving standard of care alone reports “disappointing” results….