Researchers compared blood samples from 139 people who had COVID-19 with 314 healthy people to see how the virus affects important nutrients and fats in the body. They found that COVID-19 patients had similar levels of vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, zinc, and iron, but their blood fats were noticeably different. People who were sick enough to be hospitalized had even lower levels of certain nutrients than those recovering at home. This suggests that COVID-19 changes how your body handles fats and that having lower nutrient levels might mean you’re getting sicker.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How COVID-19 infection changes the levels of important nutrients (like vitamin D, zinc, and selenium) and fats in the blood compared to healthy people
  • Who participated: 453 adults total: 139 people with COVID-19 (62 in the hospital, 77 at home) and 314 healthy people without COVID-19. Blood samples were collected using a special dried blood spot method.
  • Key finding: People with COVID-19 had normal nutrient levels but significantly abnormal fat profiles in their blood. Those hospitalized had even lower nutrient levels than those recovering at home, suggesting worse infection may deplete nutrients faster.
  • What it means for you: If you have COVID-19, your body’s fat metabolism changes in ways we’re still learning about. While this study doesn’t prove you need supplements, it suggests that maintaining good nutrition might be important during infection. Talk to your doctor before taking supplements, especially if you’re hospitalized.

The Research Details

This was an observational study, which means researchers watched and measured what naturally happened rather than assigning people to different treatments. They collected tiny blood samples using dried blood spots—a simple method where a few drops of blood are dried on special paper. This allowed them to measure five key nutrients (vitamin D, selenium, zinc, magnesium, and iron) and various types of fats in the blood.

The researchers compared three groups: people hospitalized with COVID-19, people recovering from COVID-19 at home, and healthy people who never had COVID-19. By comparing hospitalized versus home-care patients, they could get a rough idea of how severe the infection was and whether severity affected nutrient and fat levels.

The study was published in Frontiers in Nutrition, a peer-reviewed journal, meaning other experts reviewed the work before publication.

Understanding how COVID-19 affects your body’s nutrients and fats is important because these substances are essential for fighting infection and healing. If the virus changes how your body handles fats and depletes nutrients, this could explain why some people get sicker than others and might point to ways to help patients recover better.

This study has some strengths: it used a reliable blood-testing method and compared COVID-19 patients to healthy controls. However, it’s observational, meaning we can’t prove that lower nutrients cause worse disease—only that they’re connected. The study was done at one point in time, so we don’t know how nutrient levels change over the course of illness. Larger studies following patients over time would provide stronger evidence.

What the Results Show

The most striking finding was that COVID-19 patients had significantly different fat profiles compared to healthy people. Specifically, certain fatty acids (including palmitic acid and others) were decreased in COVID-19 patients’ blood. This suggests the virus disrupts how the body processes and uses fats.

Interestingly, the five nutrients studied (vitamin D, selenium, zinc, magnesium, and iron) were at similar levels in COVID-19 patients and healthy people overall. This was somewhat surprising because many people expected COVID-19 to cause widespread nutrient deficiencies.

However, when researchers compared hospitalized patients to those recovering at home, they found a clear pattern: hospitalized patients had significantly lower levels of all five nutrients measured. This suggests that more severe COVID-19 infection may deplete these nutrients faster or prevent the body from maintaining normal levels.

The difference between hospitalized and home-care patients was striking—all five nutrients showed lower levels in hospitalized patients with statistical significance (p < 0.01, meaning this pattern was very unlikely to happen by chance). This pattern held true across vitamin D, selenium, zinc, magnesium, and iron, suggesting that severe illness affects multiple nutrient systems in the body simultaneously.

Previous research has suggested that certain nutrients like vitamin D and zinc might be important for immune function and COVID-19 recovery. This study adds nuance by showing that while overall nutrient levels may not be dramatically different in mild-to-moderate COVID-19, severe cases show clear nutrient depletion. The finding about altered fat metabolism is particularly interesting because it’s a newer observation that may explain some of COVID-19’s effects on the body.

This study has several important limitations. First, it’s a snapshot in time—researchers measured nutrients once rather than following patients over weeks or months. Second, they couldn’t prove that low nutrients cause worse disease; they only showed they’re connected. Third, the study doesn’t explain why nutrients are lower in hospitalized patients—it could be from the illness itself, from not eating well, from medications, or from other factors. Finally, this was done at one location, so results might differ in other populations or countries.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research alone, we cannot recommend specific supplements (moderate confidence). However, the findings suggest maintaining good overall nutrition during COVID-19 is sensible. If you have COVID-19, especially if hospitalized, ask your doctor about your nutrient status rather than self-treating with supplements. Eating a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains is a reasonable approach while you recover.

People recovering from COVID-19, especially those who were hospitalized, should be aware that their bodies may need extra nutritional support. Healthcare providers treating COVID-19 patients should consider monitoring nutrient levels in severely ill patients. People at risk for severe COVID-19 (older adults, those with chronic conditions) might benefit from ensuring good baseline nutrition. This research is less relevant for people who had mild COVID-19 or never had it.

Nutrient levels typically normalize within weeks to months after recovery from acute illness, assuming adequate nutrition. However, this study doesn’t tell us the exact timeline. If you’re recovering from COVID-19, focus on eating well now rather than waiting to see results—good nutrition supports healing immediately.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily intake of nutrient-rich foods: count servings of fruits/vegetables, sources of zinc (meat, nuts, seeds), vitamin D sources (fatty fish, fortified milk, sunlight exposure), and magnesium-rich foods (leafy greens, nuts). Aim for 5+ servings of produce daily during recovery.
  • If recovering from COVID-19, use the app to log meals and ensure you’re eating protein at each meal (supports immune recovery), including colorful vegetables (provide multiple nutrients), and staying hydrated. Set reminders to eat regular meals even if appetite is low.
  • Track energy levels, recovery progress, and appetite daily. If you notice persistent low energy or poor appetite beyond 2-3 weeks of recovery, note this to discuss with your doctor. Use the app to identify any nutrient-rich food categories you’re missing and add them to your diet.

This research is observational and cannot prove that nutrient levels cause differences in COVID-19 severity or recovery. Do not use this information to self-diagnose or self-treat. If you have COVID-19 or are recovering from it, especially if you were hospitalized, consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplements or making major dietary changes. This article is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. Always speak with your doctor about your individual nutrient needs and any concerns about your recovery.