Effective Immune Functions of Micronutrients against SARS-CoV-2

Nutrients. 2020 Sep 29;12(10):2992. doi: 10.3390/nu12102992.

Abstract

The third coronavirus outbreak in the last two decades has caused significant damage to the world's economy and community health. The highly contagious COVID-19 infection has affected millions of people to date and has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide. Aside from the highly infectious nature of SARS-CoV-2, the lack of a treatment or vaccine has been the main reason for its spread. Thus, it has become necessary to find alternative methods for controlling SARS-CoV-2. For the present review, we conducted an online search for different available nutrition-based therapies for previously known coronavirus infections and RNA-based virus infections as well as general antiviral therapies. These treatments have promise for combating COVID-19, as various nutrients and minerals play direct and indirect roles in the control and prevention of this newly emerged viral infection. The patients' nutritional status with COVID-19 must be analyzed before administering any treatment, and nutritional supplements should be given to the affected individuals along with routine treatment. We suggest a potential interventional role of nutrients to strengthen the immune system against the emerging infection caused by COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; immune enhancement; immunonutrition; minerals; nutrients; public health; vitamins.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Coronavirus Infections / immunology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Immune System / drug effects*
  • Immune System / physiology
  • Micronutrients
  • Minerals / pharmacology*
  • Minerals / therapeutic use
  • Nutritional Status
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Viral / immunology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
  • Trace Elements / pharmacology*
  • Trace Elements / therapeutic use
  • Vitamins / pharmacology*
  • Vitamins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Micronutrients
  • Minerals
  • Trace Elements
  • Vitamins