Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Journal Pre-proof
18 may 2020
Lay summary: Maintenance of a normal serum calcium (e.g. by giving oral over the counter calcium carbonate), and normal serum albumin early during COVID-19 infection, may prevent the disease from becoming severe.
What you need to know:
Background and context While most COVID-19 patients clear the infection, some develop severe disease with organ failure. Based on patterns associated with severe COVID-19, underlying mechanisms, we propose a simple, low risk supportive intervention.
New Findings Unsaturated fat intake is associated with increased mortality from COVID-19. Unsaturated fatty acids cause injury, organ failure resembling COVID-19. Early albumin and calcium can bind unsaturated fatty acids, reduce injury.
Limitations We do not have a clinical trial to support that “keeping a normal serum calcium and albumin all through COVID-19” improved mortality. Such a trial may be helpful in the future.
Impact Both calcium and albumin are inexpensive, and easily available. If supplemented early during COVID-19 hospitalization, these may reduce organ failure and ICU requirements despite a lack of proven anti-viral therapies.
18 may 2020
Lay summary: Maintenance of a normal serum calcium (e.g. by giving oral over the counter calcium carbonate), and normal serum albumin early during COVID-19 infection, may prevent the disease from becoming severe.
What you need to know:
Background and context While most COVID-19 patients clear the infection, some develop severe disease with organ failure. Based on patterns associated with severe COVID-19, underlying mechanisms, we propose a simple, low risk supportive intervention.
New Findings Unsaturated fat intake is associated with increased mortality from COVID-19. Unsaturated fatty acids cause injury, organ failure resembling COVID-19. Early albumin and calcium can bind unsaturated fatty acids, reduce injury.
Limitations We do not have a clinical trial to support that “keeping a normal serum calcium and albumin all through COVID-19” improved mortality. Such a trial may be helpful in the future.
Impact Both calcium and albumin are inexpensive, and easily available. If supplemented early during COVID-19 hospitalization, these may reduce organ failure and ICU requirements despite a lack of proven anti-viral therapies.
