scholarly journals Potential Roles of Vitamins in the Management of COVID-19: A Comprehensive Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Homa Rezaei ◽  
Sajad Khiali ◽  
Haleh Rezaee ◽  
Hossein Bannazadeh Baghi ◽  
Matin Pourghasem ◽  
...  

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has caused a public health crisis worldwide. However, data regarding the protective factors of the disease is limited. Consequently, preventive health measures that can decrease the risk of infection, progression, and severity are dreadfully required. It is well-documented that people with immunodeficiency, such as the elderly, people who already have comorbidities (e.g., diabetes mellitus, hypertension, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders), and underrepresented minorities, are placed in a group with a higher risk of getting infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants plays an essential role in strengthening the immune system and fighting against invading pathogens. The present comprehensive review has discussed published literature regarding the potential role of vitamins in strengthening the immune system and managing viral infections, particularly SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although there are controversial data regarding the plasma level of vitamin D and the severity of the disease, according to the limited evidence, vitamin D may lower the mortality rate. Moreover, vitamin C could reduce the development of inflammatory response; however, the results of ongoing clinical trials are required to confirm these primary findings.

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Dehghani-Samani ◽  
Mahsa Kamali ◽  
Fatemeh Hoseinzadeh-Chahkandak

Background: Vitamins had been reported repeatedly as important micronutrients, on immune system. Objectives: In this study roles of vitamins on immune system were discussed in detail, as well as their probable roles on the prevention/treatment of viral infections including COVID-19 infection. Method: Totally, 57 articles had been extracted from common indexing databases/websites, which were then classified to different main groups and subgroups. The roles of Vitamins on the prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19 infection had been also reviewed, and finally their contents had been purified and listed into different categorizations. Moreover, differential percentages of each vitamin related studies, differential percentages of studies on the association with COVID-19, and mechanisms of the vitamins effects on immune system had been reviewed for each vitamin. Results: In this study, the reviewed articles had been categorized into 5 main vitamin groups and 7 subgroups for vitamin B family groups. The most studied vitamin group was identified to be the B vitamins group followed by the vitamins A, D, and E groups that were ranked in next steps, respectively. However, in individual comparison of vitamins, vitamin A had been identified as the vitamin with maximum number of studies. Accordingly, more than half of these studies (66.66%) had focused on the immune-modulatory effects of vitamin D on the prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19 infection. Conclusions: Briefly, this study showed that, among all vitamins, roles of vitamin A, C, D, and E are more defined and maybe more effective on immune system, which emphasizes on the importance of vitamins in prevention of several viral infections like COVID-19. Therefore, sufficient vitamin intake can be recommended to prevent viral infections like COVID-19 infection.


Author(s):  
Giovanni Damiani ◽  
Rosalynn Conic ◽  
Gloria Orlando ◽  
Anna Zampetti ◽  
Elena Marinello ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 716-722
Author(s):  
Sneha Dhakite ◽  
Sadhana Misar Wajpeyi

The “Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19)” is caused by “Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)”, a newly discovered member of the Coronaviridae family of viruses which is a highly communicable. There is no effective medical treatment till date for Coronavirus disease hence prevention is the best way to keep disease away. Rasayana proved to be highly efficacious and cost effective for the Prevention and Control of viral infections when vaccines and standard therapies are lacking. Rasayana Chikitsa is one of the eight branches of Ashtanga Ayurveda which helps to maintain healthy life style. Rasayana improves immunity and performs many vital functions of human body. Vyadhikshamatva that is immune mechanism of the body is involved in Prevention of the occurrence of a new disease and it also decreases the virulence and progression of an existing disease. In COVID-19 the Respiratory system mainly get affected which is evident from its symptoms like cold, cough and breathlessness. Here the drugs help in enhancing immune system and strengthening functions of Respiratory system can be useful. For this purpose, the Rasayana like Chyavanprasha, Agastya Haritaki, Pippali Rasayana, Guduchi, Yashtimadhu, Haridra, Ashwagandha, Tulsi are used. Rasayana working on Respiratory system are best for Prevention of Coronavirus and boosting immune system. Rasayana Chikitsa can be effective in the Prevention as well as reducing symptoms of COVID-19.


Coronaviruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Khan ◽  
Tusha Sharma ◽  
Basu Dev Banerjee ◽  
Scotty Branch ◽  
Shea Harrelson

: Currently, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has transformed into a severe public health crisis and wreaking havoc worldwide. The ongoing pandemic has exposed the public healthcare system's weaknesses and highlighted the urgent need for investments in scientific programs and policies. A comprehensive program utilizing the science and technologydriven strategies combined with well-resourced healthcare organizations appears to be essential for current and future outbreak management.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 175346662199505
Author(s):  
Alastair Watson ◽  
Tom M. A. Wilkinson

With the global over 60-year-old population predicted to more than double over the next 35 years, caring for this aging population has become a major global healthcare challenge. In 2016 there were over 1 million deaths in >70 year olds due to lower respiratory tract infections; 13–31% of these have been reported to be caused by viruses. Since then, there has been a global COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused over 2.3 million deaths so far; increased age has been shown to be the biggest risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Thus, the burden of respiratory viral infections in the elderly is becoming an increasing unmet clinical need. Particular challenges are faced due to the interplay of a variety of factors including complex multimorbidities, decreased physiological reserve and an aging immune system. Moreover, their atypical presentation of symptoms may lead to delayed necessary care, prescription of additional drugs and prolonged hospital stay. This leads to morbidity and mortality and further nosocomial spread. Clinicians currently have limited access to sensitive detection methods. Furthermore, a lack of effective antiviral treatments means there is little incentive to diagnose and record specific non-COVID-19 viral infections. To meet this unmet clinical need, it is first essential to fully understand the burden of respiratory viruses in the elderly. Doing this through prospective screening research studies for all respiratory viruses will help guide preventative policies and clinical trials for emerging therapeutics. The implementation of multiplex point-of-care diagnostics as a mainstay in all healthcare settings will be essential to understand the burden of respiratory viruses, diagnose patients and monitor outbreaks. The further development of novel targeted vaccinations as well as anti-viral therapeutics and new ways to augment the aging immune system is now also essential. The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.


Bone ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 727-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Kanis ◽  
C. Cooper ◽  
R. Francis ◽  
N. Hamdy ◽  
P. Selby ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elahe Aleebrahim-Dehkordi ◽  
Niloofar Deravi ◽  
Shirin Yaghoobpoor ◽  
Dariush Hooshyar ◽  
Mahmoud Rafieian-Kopaei

Background: It is known that Vitamin D can increase the body’s immunity against some viral infections. Many people around the world have vitamin D deficiency and, therefore, this has become a public concern whether vitamin D is an important factor protecting against COVID-19 infection. In this paper, the data about the roles of vitamin D on immunity and recovery from viral infections, especially novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is reviewed. Methods: The electronic databases of Pubmed, Google Scholar, Research Gate, Excerpta Media Database (EMBASE) and Medical and Health Education (Medrix) were searched. Results: Vitamin D is considered an important factor in immune homeostasis. Various effects have been considered for this nutrient on the immune system, particularly because of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and Cytochrome P450 Family 27 Subfamily B Member 1 (CYP27B1) expression in most of the immune cells. Vitamin D can raise cellular immunity, reduce cytokine storm and enhance antioxidants production. It also has modulatory effects on Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors and might have protective functions against acute lung injuries, including COVID-19 infection. However, there are some articles against this positive effect. Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation is reported to be effective in the enhancement of the immune system and might be effective in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 infection, especially in those with its deficiency. However, it should be considered that vitamin D deficiency shows the overall health status of the patients and cannot be considered specific for COVID-19 infection.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Pecora ◽  
Federica Persico ◽  
Alberto Argentiero ◽  
Cosimo Neglia ◽  
Susanna Esposito

Viral infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the importance of public health practices including handwashing and vaccinations in reducing their spread is well established. Furthermore, it is well known that proper nutrition can help support optimal immune function, reducing the impact of infections. Several vitamins and trace elements play an important role in supporting the cells of the immune system, thus increasing the resistance to infections. Other nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, help sustain optimal function of the immune system. The main aim of this manuscript is to discuss of the potential role of micronutrients supplementation in supporting immunity, particularly against respiratory virus infections. Literature analysis showed that in vitro and observational studies, and clinical trials, highlight the important role of vitamins A, C, and D, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc in modulating the immune response. Supplementation with vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and zinc appears to be a safe and low-cost way to support optimal function of the immune system, with the potential to reduce the risk and consequences of infection, including viral respiratory infections. Supplementation should be in addition to a healthy diet and fall within recommended upper safety limits set by scientific expert bodies. Therefore, implementing an optimal nutrition, with micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids supplementation, might be a cost-effective, underestimated strategy to help reduce the burden of infectious diseases worldwide, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).


Author(s):  
Paolo Bellavite ◽  
Alberto Donzelli

Among the many approaches to COVID-19 prevention, the possible role of diet has so far been somewhat marginal. Nutrition is very rich in substances with a potential beneficial effect on health and some of these could have an antiviral action or in any case be important in modulating the immune system and in defending cells from the oxidative stress associated with infection. This short review draws the attention on some components of Citrus fruits and especially of the orange (Citrus sinensis), well known for its vitamin content, but less for the function of its flavonoids. Among the latter, hesperidin has recently attracted the attention of researchers, because it binds to the key proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Several computational methods, independently applied by different researchers, showed that hesperidin has a low binding energy both with the coronavirus "spike" protein, and with the main protease that transforms the early proteins of the virus (pp1a and ppa1b) into the complex responsible for viral replication. The affinity of hesperidin for these proteins is comparable if not superior to that of common chemical antivirals. The preventive efficacy of vitamin C, at dosage attainable by diet, against viral infections is controversial, but recent reviews suggest that this substance may be useful in case of increased stress on the immune system. Finally, the reasons that suggest undertaking appropriate research on the Citrus fruits addition in the diet, as a complementary prevention and treatment of COVID-19, are discussed.


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