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Review
. 2021 Jan:143:1-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2020.08.003. Epub 2020 Aug 9.

Immune-boosting role of vitamins D, C, E, zinc, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids: Could they help against COVID-19?

Hira Shakoor  1 , Jack Feehan  2 , Ayesha S Al Dhaheri  1 , Habiba I Ali  1 , Carine Platat  1 , Leila Cheikh Ismail  3 , Vasso Apostolopoulos  4 , Lily Stojanovska  5
Affiliations
Review

Immune-boosting role of vitamins D, C, E, zinc, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids: Could they help against COVID-19?

Hira Shakoor et al. Maturitas. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: COVID-19; Immunomodulation; Omega-3; Pandemic; SARS-CoV-2; Selenium; Vitamin C; Vitamin D; Vitamin E; Zinc.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Summary of search strategy and paper exclusion.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Immunomodulatory actions of vitamin D.IL: interleukin; TNF: Tumor necrosis factor; IFN: Interferon; Th: T-Helper; 7-DHC: 7-Dehydrocholesterol; PGE2: Prostaglandin E2.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
COVID19 protective actions of vitamin C, E zinc, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids. IL: interleukin; NK: Natural Killer; BFGF2: Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; TNF: Tumor necrosis factor; IFN: Interferon.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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