It is well understood that calcium levels in the nasal mucous affect the ability to smell, with higher levels having a negative impact, and some studies have shown increased calcium levels in patients suffering with Covid-19-related olfactory dysfunction. Calcium chelating compounds bind the calcium and, thus, lower the levels in the mucosa and sodium phylate is a plant-based, eco-friendly such compound, often used in pharmaceutical products. Fifty-two patients were randomised into a control group (who received a placebo nasal spray) and a treatment group (who received 0.9% sodium chloride and 1% sodium phytate nasal spray), self-administered three times a day for one month. Outcome measures were olfactory function as measured by Sniffin Sticks, and assessment of calcium levels in nasal mucous. The results are impressive, with an improvement of 5.76 in the TDI score in the treatment group, vs. an improvement of 0.2 in the control group which, unsurprisingly, was statistically significant and also exceeded the level required to be clinically significant (5.5 points or more) in 77% of patients. Testing of the nasal mucous also showed a statistically significant decrease in the calcium levels. This is an extremely encouraging finding and opens the door to much more research and longer term follow-up in the future.
An effective treatment for post Covid-19 smell loss?
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