The Long Covid it is a syndrome and it is much more frequent than we think. A highly debilitating condition that scientists around the world continue to question and conduct research on.
The virus often leaves important marks on our body, and those who recover face problems of various kinds: chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, dry cough, headache, cognitive difficulties.
In April 2020, a team of researchers fromAlbert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, under the guidance of Professor Gaetano Santulli, was the first to link Covid-19 to endothelial dysfunction.
Santulli’s “Vitamin C and cardiovascular disease: an update” review, published in the prestigious journal “Antioxidants”, confirmed the potential beneficial effects and antioxidant properties of Vitamin C in a number of pathological conditions such as heart and vascular disorders, and how much Vitamin C is the perfect ally for the association with L-arginine.
In fact, both Vitamin C and L-arginine are necessary for the synthesis of nitric oxide.
What are we talking about
The L-arginine it is an amino acid naturally present in proteins.
Once in the body the L-arginine it is converted into nitric oxide, a molecule that promotes the dilation of blood vessels, thus promoting better blood flow. In addition, L-arginine stimulates the release of growth hormone, insulin and other molecules.
Currently, its intake is recommended in case of cardiovascular problems such as congestive heart failure, chest pain, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and intermittent claudication. It is also used against the senile dementia, the problems of erection, male infertility and pre-eclampsia, to prevent the cold and, in premature babies, inflammation of the digestive system and to improve sports performance, the functioning of the immune system, wound healing, blood flow to cold hands and feet (especially if you have diabetes) and kidney function after a transplant.
In the review Santulli describes liposomal Vitamin C as the best method of administering Vitamin C, as it has a better bioavailability than traditional Vitamin C, avoiding the risks associated with intravenous administration. Furthermore, liposomal Vitamin C increases the concentration of Vitamin C in the blood almost doubling the concentration obtainable through the traditional (non-liposomal) form.
Therefore, Santulli says in the conclusions, since both Vitamin C and L-arginine are known to improve endothelial function and reduce vascular permeability during infectious diseases, it is possible to hypothesize that their association may be synergistic in addressing infectious diseases. Since COVID-19 is causing endotheliopathy, the association between oral L-arginine and liposomal Vitamin C (Bioarginina®C, 2 vials / day) could be effective for COVID-19 and other infectious disorders.
Italian experiences
The Cotugno Hospital in Naples and in particular the intensive and sub-intensive care department directed by Professor Giuseppe Fiorentino, Primary of Pneumology, was the first Italian hospital to positively evaluate the use of L-Arginine in patients hospitalized for COVID pathology. -19.
As stated by Professor Fiorentino himself, the supplementation of 2 vials / day of L-arginine (Bioarginina®, 1.66g x 2), in addition to the therapy adopted by the hospital, showed a faster recovery of respiratory function and an early negativization of patients.
Faced with these results and with the aim of systematizing and sharing these observations with the Scientific Community, Cotugno Hospital has launched a randomized, parallel-group, controlled, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate how the addition to standard therapy of two vials a day of oral L-Arginine, is useful to produce an improvement in prognosis in patients with COVID19.
The protocol of the study currently underway provides that of the 300 patients hospitalized for Covid-19 infection with a positive molecular test, 150 will be treated with Bioarginina® (L-Arginine 1.66g x2) and 150 with Placebo.
Since April last year, a ‘Day Hospital Post Covid’ has been activated at the Columbus hospital of the Gemelli Polyclinic Foundation in Rome.
As indicated by Dr. Matteo Tosato, geriatrician in charge of the Gemelli post covid day hospital unit, an adequate personalized rehabilitation program (respiratory and motor), the introduction of nutritional supports based on vitamins and amino acids, associated with a correct lifestyle, represent the main approach to the post-Covid Syndrome.
Also in this facility the use of L-arginine and liposomal Vitamin C in patients with post-covid syndrome has been positively evaluated. The effectiveness of the use of this amino acid and vitamin association has led to a clinical trial where the main post-covid parameters are evaluated through a series of objective and subjective tests. In particular, in addition to the six minute walking test (6MWT), the chair and exhaustion tests, which allow to evaluate the ability to carry out normal daily activities or, on the contrary, the degree of functional limitations of the subject, evaluations are also carried out. objective blood values, such as monocyte activity and the presence of fatty acids for a period of 30 days.
At the IRCCS San Raffaele in Rome in the Covid medical department directed by Dr. Giuseppe Marazzi, the use of L-Arginine and liposomal Vitamin C (Bioarginina®C) in patients with post-Covid syndrome has been positively evaluated and are in progress further studies
Also at the Codogno di Lodi hospital, where patient 1 was discovered on 21 February, Dr. Francesco Tursi, head of the hospital’s pneumology department, following the clinical experiences of using L-Arginine on covid and post covid of the Cotugno of Naples and of the IRCCS San Raffaele of Rome, points out how post-covid symptoms require a targeted therapeutic approach and how, given the scientific rationale, he himself has positively assessed the adoption of L-arginine on himself and Liposomal Vitamin C in post-covid syndrome.