The year of 2021 began with a hopeful feeling with the mass vaccination against COVID-19. However, the immunization speed has not yet reached the level required to reduce the number of infections caused by SARS-CoV-2. Nevertheless, so far, measures such as social distancing and an adequate diet play a key role to reduce the contagion and risk of more severe prognosis of this disease.
In the face of the increasing evidence of the impact of nutrition on immune system functions, Kilyos Nutrition published in December 2020 a review article in the scientific journal Frontiers in Nutrition, entitled “Zinc, vitamin D and vitamin C: perspectives for COVID-19 with a focus on physical tissue barrier integrity”. The review addresses two main topics: (1) scientific evidence of the immunomodulatory and antiviral properties of zinc and vitamins C and D, and (2) the synergic action of these nutrients in the preservation and integrity of physical barriers of the body, such as skin and mucous membranes, which prevent the invasion of pathogens.
Zinc and vitamins C and D have immunomodulatory activities in both prevention of viral infections and optimization of the immune response when the body is affected by these infections. Therefore, the deficiency of these nutrients, even at marginal levels, may jeopardize different phases of immune responses, enabling the viral entrance and replication in the host cells and consequently enhancing the probability of evolving into more severe prognosis.
According to the author José João Name, MD, PhD, an expert in human nutrition and medical director of Kilyos Nutrition: “although we emphasize the action of three main nutrients in the immune system functions in the prevention or during a viral infection, it is important to point out that this does not exclude the body’s needs for other nutrients with immunomodulatory and antiviral properties such as selenium, copper, magnesium, iron and vitamin K2. Thus, the homeostasis of micronutrients plays a key role in the preservation and integrity of the body defenses, reducing the risk of contamination and evolution of more severe cases of the disease.”
One of the most important contributions of this work is the discussion about the synergic action of zinc and vitamins C and D in the physical barriers which correspond to the first defense line against the entrance of pathogens and toxins in the body, acting as a selective barrier for ions and molecules for the bloodstream. Hence, a nutritional deficiency may affect these protein complexes.
“When we lose the capability of selecting what enters into our body, we become more susceptible to pathogen entry, such as SARS-CoV-2. As zinc and vitamins C and D are highly required by the body to preserve both the epithelial barriers and immunity, the supplementation of these nutrients might be an effective measure, either by reducing infections or offering a better prognosis of COVID-19”, says Dr. Name. Several clinical studies are ongoing to confirm the adjuvant role of these nutrients in COVID-19 patients.
In the face of the increasing evidence of the impact of nutrition on immune system functions, Kilyos Nutrition published in December 2020 a review article in the scientific journal Frontiers in Nutrition, entitled “Zinc, vitamin D and vitamin C: perspectives for COVID-19 with a focus on physical tissue barrier integrity”. The review addresses two main topics: (1) scientific evidence of the immunomodulatory and antiviral properties of zinc and vitamins C and D, and (2) the synergic action of these nutrients in the preservation and integrity of physical barriers of the body, such as skin and mucous membranes, which prevent the invasion of pathogens.
Zinc and vitamins C and D have immunomodulatory activities in both prevention of viral infections and optimization of the immune response when the body is affected by these infections. Therefore, the deficiency of these nutrients, even at marginal levels, may jeopardize different phases of immune responses, enabling the viral entrance and replication in the host cells and consequently enhancing the probability of evolving into more severe prognosis.
According to the author José João Name, MD, PhD, an expert in human nutrition and medical director of Kilyos Nutrition: “although we emphasize the action of three main nutrients in the immune system functions in the prevention or during a viral infection, it is important to point out that this does not exclude the body’s needs for other nutrients with immunomodulatory and antiviral properties such as selenium, copper, magnesium, iron and vitamin K2. Thus, the homeostasis of micronutrients plays a key role in the preservation and integrity of the body defenses, reducing the risk of contamination and evolution of more severe cases of the disease.”
One of the most important contributions of this work is the discussion about the synergic action of zinc and vitamins C and D in the physical barriers which correspond to the first defense line against the entrance of pathogens and toxins in the body, acting as a selective barrier for ions and molecules for the bloodstream. Hence, a nutritional deficiency may affect these protein complexes.
“When we lose the capability of selecting what enters into our body, we become more susceptible to pathogen entry, such as SARS-CoV-2. As zinc and vitamins C and D are highly required by the body to preserve both the epithelial barriers and immunity, the supplementation of these nutrients might be an effective measure, either by reducing infections or offering a better prognosis of COVID-19”, says Dr. Name. Several clinical studies are ongoing to confirm the adjuvant role of these nutrients in COVID-19 patients.
