TY - JOUR
T1 - Immune-boosting role of vitamins D, C, E, zinc, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids
T2 - Could they help against COVID-19?
AU - Shakoor, Hira
AU - Feehan, Jack
AU - Al Dhaheri, Ayesha S.
AU - Ali, Habiba I.
AU - Platat, Carine
AU - Ismail, Leila Cheikh
AU - Apostolopoulos, Vasso
AU - Stojanovska, Lily
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2021/1
Y1 - 2021/1
N2 - The world is currently in the grips of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has mutated to allow human-to-human spread. Infection can cause fever, dry cough, fatigue, severe pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome and in some instances death. COVID-19 affects the immune system by producing a systemic inflammatory response, or cytokine release syndrome. Patients with COVID-19 have shown a high level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. There are currently no effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 viral drugs or vaccines. COVID-19 disproportionately affects the elderly, both directly, and through a number of significant age-related comorbidities. Undoubtedly, nutrition is a key determinant of maintaining good health. Key dietary components such as vitamins C, D, E, zinc, selenium and the omega 3 fatty acids have well-established immunomodulatory effects, with benefits in infectious disease. Some of these nutrients have also been shown to have a potential role in the management of COVID-19. In this paper, evidence surrounding the role of these dietary components in immunity as well as their specific effect in COVID-19 patients are discussed. In addition, how supplementation of these nutrients may be used as therapeutic modalities potentially to decrease the morbidity and mortality rates of patients with COVID-19 is discussed.
AB - The world is currently in the grips of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has mutated to allow human-to-human spread. Infection can cause fever, dry cough, fatigue, severe pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome and in some instances death. COVID-19 affects the immune system by producing a systemic inflammatory response, or cytokine release syndrome. Patients with COVID-19 have shown a high level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. There are currently no effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 viral drugs or vaccines. COVID-19 disproportionately affects the elderly, both directly, and through a number of significant age-related comorbidities. Undoubtedly, nutrition is a key determinant of maintaining good health. Key dietary components such as vitamins C, D, E, zinc, selenium and the omega 3 fatty acids have well-established immunomodulatory effects, with benefits in infectious disease. Some of these nutrients have also been shown to have a potential role in the management of COVID-19. In this paper, evidence surrounding the role of these dietary components in immunity as well as their specific effect in COVID-19 patients are discussed. In addition, how supplementation of these nutrients may be used as therapeutic modalities potentially to decrease the morbidity and mortality rates of patients with COVID-19 is discussed.
KW - COVID-19
KW - Immunomodulation
KW - Omega-3
KW - Pandemic
KW - SARS-CoV-2
KW - Selenium
KW - Vitamin C
KW - Vitamin D
KW - Vitamin E
KW - Zinc
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85089425030&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85089425030&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.maturitas.2020.08.003
DO - 10.1016/j.maturitas.2020.08.003
M3 - Review article
C2 - 33308613
AN - SCOPUS:85089425030
SN - 0378-5122
VL - 143
SP - 1
EP - 9
JO - Maturitas
JF - Maturitas
ER -