Effect of Liposomal Vitamin C on Immune Function in Children Aged 4-12 Years

Abstract

Aims: Childhood Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is a significant public health problem especially in developing countries like India. Humoral immunity as well as cellular immunity act to reduce infections throughout the entire respiratory tract. Literature suggests that Vitamin C possesses the anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant propertieswhich boost the Immune system. Unfortunately, the highly unstable nature of Vitamin C  has posed technological challenges for its incorporation into different food systems. We investigate the use of Liposomal Vitamin C which provides a well-tolerated, easily absorbed and highly bioavailable form of Vitamin C without any unpleasant side-effects.

Material and Methods: In the current study we studied for the first time effect of Liposomal Vitamin C in children aged 4 to 12 years suffering from URTI. This study was approved by Ethics Committee and registered with CTRI. Out of 30 participants, 26 children completed the study. The scoring was based on ‘The Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey (WURSS)’ for Kids.
Results: Within 4-5 days of starting of treatment with Liposomal Vitamin C, the score as indicated by the WURSS scale had reduced. The symptoms also subsided and no recurrence was observed till the end of 30 days.
Conclusion: The results suggest that Liposomal Vitamin C can be useful as an adjunct in the management of URTI to improve immunity. Further study with larger sample size and suitable clinical markers is required for better understanding of the effect of Liposomal Vitamin C and its mode of action in boosting Immunity.
Study Registration: CTRI/2020/03/023825
Source/s of support: This study is funded by Shreepad Shree Vallabh SSV Phytopharmaceuticals.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Yogesh Dound is Proprietor, Shreepad Shree Vallabh SSV Phytopharmaceuticals.