Therapeutic Effects of Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements on Sinusitis: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Sinusitis, one of the most prevalent and undertreated disorders, is a term used to describe inflammation of the paranasal sinuses caused by either infectious or non-infectious sources. Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can all cause sinusitis. Sinusitis is classified into 3 types: acute, subacute, and chronic. Acute sinusitis lasts for less than 1 month, subacute sinusitis lasts from 1 to 3 months, and chronic sinusitis persists for over 3 months. This condition affects a significant portion of the population, imposing a substantial burden on the healthcare system. Antibiotics are the gold standard of bacterial sinusitis treatment. However, due to the rise of antimicrobial resistance, especially in immune-compromised patients, it is necessary to investigate potential adjunctive therapies. Based on the literature, vitamins (eg, vitamin D) have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory properties and may effectively treat sinusitis and reduce mucous membrane inflammation. Besides vitamins, many other supplements like quercetin, sinupret, and echinacea have immunomodulatory effects and have shown promising results in sinusitis treatment. In this review, we look at the therapeutic role, safety, and efficacy of vitamins and nutritional supplements in sinusitis treatment.