Food for thought: the importance of nutritional well-being during COVID-19.

Individuals with mental illness have poorer physical health, nutritional status, and lowered life expectancy. Optimising their physical and nutritional status has become an increasingly important therapeutic goal. Current experience with COVID-19 has further emphasised the susceptibility to physical illness and poorer outcomes amongst individuals with mental illness and those who are nutritionally compromised. Although life as we knew it has been suspended until the widespread roll-out of a vaccine, individuals can take immediate action to improve physical and mental health by attending to and optimising their nutritional well-being. Clinicians within mental health services have a crucial role to play in assisting such change, and reminding their patients of the importance of pursuing a healthy and balanced diet.

An update of the effects of vitamins D and C in critical illness.

Many critically ill patients are vitamin D and vitamin C deficient and the current international guidelines state that hypovitaminoses should be compensated. However, uncertainty about optimal dosage, timing and indication exists in clinical routine, mainly due to the conflicting evidence. This narrative review discusses both micronutrients with regards to pathophysiology, clinical evidence of benefits, potential risks, and guideline recommendations. Evidence generated from the most recent clinical trials are summarized and discussed. In addition, pragmatic tips for the application of these vitamins in the clinical routine are given. The supplementations of vitamin D and C represent cost-effective and simple interventions with excellent safety profiles. Regarding vitamin D, critically ill individuals require a loading dose to improve 25(OH)D levels within a few days, followed by a daily or weekly maintenance dose, usually higher doses than healthy individuals are needed. For vitamin C, dosages of 100-200 mg/d are recommended for patients receiving parenteral nutrition, but needs may be as high as 2-3 g/d in acutely ill patients.

Phytochemicals and micronutrients in suppressing infectivity caused by SARS-CoV-2 virions and seasonal coronavirus HCoV-229E in vivo.

SARS-CoV-2 infection still poses health threats especially to older and immunocompromised individuals. New emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2, including Omicron and Arcturus, have been challenging the effectiveness of humoral immunity resulting from repeated vaccination and infection. With recent study implying a wave of new mutants in vaccinated people making them more susceptible to the newest variants and fueling a rapid viral evolution, there is a need for alternative or adjunct approaches against coronavirus infections other than vaccines. Our earlier work indicated that a specific combination of micronutrients and phytochemicals can inhibit key infection mechanisms shared by SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in vitro. Here we demonstrate in vivo that an intake of this micronutrient combination before and during infection of mice with engineered SARS-CoV-2 virions and HCoV-229E virus results in a significant decrease in viral load and level of spike protein in the lungs. This was accompanied by decreased inflammatory response, including TNFα, IL1ß, ILα, and IL17. These and our earlier results confirm that by targeting multiple mechanisms simultaneously by a combination treatment we can effectively and safely challenge SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-229E virus. If clinically confirmed, such an approach could complement already in-use preventive and therapeutic strategies against coronavirus infections.

The association between nutrients and occurrence of COVID-19 outcomes in the population of Western Iran: A cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to determine the association between nutrients (micronutrients, macronutrients, and antioxidants) and the occurrence of COVID-19-related outcomes (morbidity and hospitalization) using a cohort study in Western Iran. METHODS: The basic study information was collected from February 2019 to February 2020 from the baseline phase of the Dehgolan Prospective Cohort Study (DehPCS). The primary outcomes in this study included risk of contracting COVID-19 and hospitalization due to it at a specific time. To compare these outcomes based on different nutritional groups (macronutrients or micronutrients), Kaplan-Meier chart and log rank test were used. Also, univariate and multivariate regression models were used to investigate the association between different nutritional groups and desired outcomes (risk of contracting COVID-19 and hospitalization due to it at a certain time). RESULTS: The results showed that people having an insufficient intake of selenium (HR: 1.180; % 95 CI: 1.032-2.490; P: 0.042), vitamin A (HR: 1.119; % 95 CI: 1.020-1.442; p: 0.033), and vitamin E (HR: 1.544; % 95 CI: 1.136-3.093; p: 0.039) were significantly more infected with COVID-19 than the ones who had a sufficient intake of these nutrients. Also, the results showed that people having an insufficient intake of selenium (HR: 2.130; % 95 CI: 1.232-3.098; p: 0.018) and vitamin A (HR: 1.200; % 95 CI: 1.000-2.090; p: 0.043) were significantly hospitalized more than the ones who had a sufficient intake of these nutrients. CONCLUSION: Insufficient intake of selenium and vitamins A and E can significantly increase the incidence of COVID-19 and hospitalization due to it.

Zinc biofortification through seed nutri-priming using alternative zinc sources and concentration levels in pea and sunflower microgreens.

Micronutrient deficiencies caused by malnutrition and hidden hunger are a growing concern worldwide, exacerbated by climate change, COVID-19, and conflicts. A potentially sustainable way to mitigate such challenges is the production of nutrient-dense crops through agronomic biofortification techniques. Among several potential target crops, microgreens are considered suitable for mineral biofortification because of their short growth cycle, high content of nutrients, and low level of anti-nutritional factors. A study was conducted to evaluate the potential of zinc (Zn) biofortification of pea and sunflower microgreens via seed nutri-priming, examining the effect of different Zn sources (Zn sulfate, Zn-EDTA, and Zn oxide nanoparticles) and concentrations (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 ppm) on microgreen yield components; mineral content; phytochemical constituents such as total chlorophyll, carotenoids, flavonoids, anthocyanin, and total phenolic compounds; antioxidant activity; and antinutrient factors like phytic acid. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized factorial block design with three replications. Seed soaked in a 200 ppm ZnSO4 solution resulted in higher Zn accumulation in both peas (126.1%) and sunflower microgreens (229.8%). However, an antagonistic effect on the accumulation of other micronutrients (Fe, Mn, and Cu) was seen only in pea microgreens. Even at high concentrations, seed soaking in Zn-EDTA did not effectively accumulate Zn in both microgreens' species. ZnO increased the chlorophyll, total phenols, and antioxidant activities compared to Zn-EDTA. Seed soaking in ZnSO4 and ZnO solutions at higher concentrations resulted in a lower phytic acid/Zn molar ratio, suggesting the higher bioaccessibility of the biofortified Zn in both pea and sunflower microgreens. These results suggest that seed nutrient priming is feasible for enriching pea and sunflower microgreens with Zn. The most effective Zn source was ZnSO4, followed by ZnO. The optimal concentration of Zn fertilizer solution should be selected based on fertilizer source, target species, and desired Zn-enrichment level.

Vitamin C use as a preventive measure against COVID-19

The SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) disease caused a global health crisis. The World Health Organization shows high morbidity and mortality figures and it is essential to delve into the epidemiological and clinical aspects of diagnosis and treatment to face and defeat this disease. Some researchers have shown that the use of vitamin C, both from food as well as oral or intravenous vitamin supplements, has a positive effect on the body. The potential effect of vitamin C is the reduction of lung inflammation that could play a key role in lung injury caused by coronavirus infection.

The Role of Diet and Specific Nutrients during the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Have We Learned over the Last Three Years?

Nutrients and diets have an important impact on our immune system and infection risk and a huge number of papers have been published dealing with various aspects of nutrition in relation to SARS-CoV-2 infection risk or COVID-19 severity. This narrative review aims to give an update on this association and tries to summarize some of the most important findings after three years of pandemic. The analysis of major studies and systematic reviews leads to the conclusion that a healthy plant-based diet reduces the risks for SARS-CoV-2 infection and especially COVID-19 severity. Regarding micronutrients, vitamin D is to the fore, but also zinc, vitamin C and, to some extent, selenium may play a role in COVID-19. Furthermore, omega-3-fatty acids with their anti-inflammatory effects also deserve attention. Therefore, a major aim of societal nutritional efforts in future should be to foster a high quality plant-based diet, which not only exerts beneficial effects on the immune system but also reduces the risk for non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes or obesity which are also primary risk factors for worse COVID-19 outcomes. Another aim should be to focus on a good supply of critical immune-effective nutrients, such as vitamin D and zinc.

An Overview on Immunity Booster Foods in Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

The present COVID-19 pandemic is highly terrible for the respiratory system and is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has affected millions of people globally and over 511.9 million cases and 6.2 million deaths have been reported across the world. Various drugs have been repurposed, however, no specific medicine has been approved by the FDA to combat this disease till date. In this condition, researchers have attracted to natural and safe products to improve immunity to viral infections through inhibiting viral cell entry, replication, and modulation. Various natural products, probiotics, and nutrients have antimicrobial, antiviral, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities, and some of the compounds are also utilized as traditional medicine in Ayurveda, Siddha, and other cultures. This review provides a clinical perspective on the application of herbs for the prevention of viral infections.

Primary factors that determine the severity of various infections and effective nutraceutical intervention strategies

Current agricultural practices, food processing, and extensive availability of unhealthy "fast foods” impose a broad spectrum of degenerative disorders including bacterial, viral, parasitic, fungal, and yeast infections, all of which became a leading cause of death. An infection is defined as "The invasion and growth of germs in the body.” Several of these germs are opportunistic anaerobic organisms, while their propagation and proliferation potentiate the anaerobic bio-environment alarmingly. An ideal therapeutic objective is to restore a healthier cellular "aerobic” metabolic environment. This chapter will extensively focus on three important infectious disorders (i) COVID-19 infection, (ii) Herpesvirus infection, and (iii) Candida albicans yeast infections. Disease etiology, mechanisms, and pathology will be extensively discussed. Prevention and the potential of therapeutic interventions by structurally diverse nutraceuticals, phytopharmaceuticals, probiotics, and micronutrients will be extensively reviewed. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Current Overview of Relationship between COVID-19 and Nutrition

CoronaVirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic that started in China and influenced the whole world, causing more than 2.5 million people to die. There is not enough evidence to date that any diet, food, or nutrient prevents or treats COVID-19. However, it is thought that optimal nutrition can be a preventive form of "pre-rehabilitation” against deadly viruses. This paper aims to review the latest scientific data that examine the relationship between COVID-19 and nutrition. In this context, this study focuses on the relationship of COVID-19 with dietary protein, bioactive compounds, zinc, selenium, vitamins C and D, omega-3, probiotics, and the Mediterranean diet, which are particularly emphasized in the literature. © 2021 by the Author(s).

Harmonization of maternal balanced energy-protein supplementation studies for individual participant data (IPD) meta-analyses - finding and creating similarities in variables and data collection.

BACKGROUND: Public health and clinical recommendations are established from systematic reviews and retrospective meta-analyses combining effect sizes, traditionally, from aggregate data and more recently, using individual participant data (IPD) of published studies. However, trials often have outcomes and other meta-data that are not defined and collected in a standardized way, making meta-analysis problematic. IPD meta-analysis can only partially fix the limitations of traditional, retrospective, aggregate meta-analysis; prospective meta-analysis further reduces the problems. METHODS: We developed an initiative including seven clinical intervention studies of balanced energy-protein (BEP) supplementation during pregnancy and/or lactation that are being conducted (or recently concluded) in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, India, Nepal, and Pakistan to test the effect of BEP on infant and maternal outcomes. These studies were commissioned after an expert consultation that designed recommendations for a BEP product for use among pregnant and lactating women in low- and middle-income countries. The initiative goal is to harmonize variables across studies to facilitate IPD meta-analyses on closely aligned data, commonly called prospective meta-analysis. Our objective here is to describe the process of harmonizing variable definitions and prioritizing research questions. A two-day workshop of investigators, content experts, and advisors was held in February 2020 and harmonization activities continued thereafter. Efforts included a range of activities from examining protocols and data collection plans to discussing best practices within field constraints. Prior to harmonization, there were many similar outcomes and variables across studies, such as newborn anthropometry, gestational age, and stillbirth, however, definitions and protocols differed. As well, some measurements were being conducted in several but not all studies, such as food insecurity. Through the harmonization process, we came to consensus on important shared variables, particularly outcomes, added new measurements, and improved protocols across studies. DISCUSSION: We have fostered extensive communication between investigators from different studies, and importantly, created a large set of harmonized variable definitions within a prospective meta-analysis framework. We expect this initiative will improve reporting within each study in addition to providing opportunities for a series of IPD meta-analyses.

Minerals and Antioxidant Micronutrients Levels and Clinical Outcome in Older Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 during the First Wave of the Pandemic.

Excessive inflammatory response has been implicated in severe respiratory forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Trace elements such as zinc, selenium, and copper are known to modulate inflammation and immunity. This study aimed to assess the relationships between antioxidant vitamins and mineral trace elements levels as well as COVID-19 severity in older adults hospitalized. In this observational retrospective cohort study, the levels of zinc, selenium, copper, vitamin A, ß-carotene, and vitamin E were measured in 94 patients within the first 15 days of hospitalization. The outcomes were in-hospital mortality secondary to COVID-19 or severe COVID-19. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to test whether the levels of vitamins and minerals were independently associated with severity. In this cohort (average age of 78 years), severe forms (46%) were associated with lower zinc (p = 0.012) and ß-carotene (p < 0.001) concentrations, and in-hospital mortality (15%) was associated with lower zinc (p = 0.009), selenium (p = 0.014), vitamin A (p = 0.001), and ß-carotene (p = 0.002) concentrations. In regression analysis, severe forms remained independently associated with lower zinc (aOR 2.13, p = 0.018) concentrations, and death was associated with lower vitamin A (aOR = 0.165, p = 0.021) concentrations. Low plasma concentrations of zinc and vitamin A were associated with poor prognosis in older people hospitalized with COVID-19.

Bone fragility during the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of macro- and micronutrients.

Bone fragility is the susceptibility to fracture due to poor bone strength. This condition is usually associated with aging, comorbidities, disability, poor quality of life, and increased mortality. International guidelines for the management of patients with bone fragility include a nutritional approach, mainly aiming at optimal protein, calcium, and vitamin D intakes. Several biomechanical features of the skeleton, such as bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular and cortical microarchitecture, seem to be positively influenced by micro- and macronutrient intake. Patients with major fragility fractures are usually poor consumers of dairy products, fruit, and vegetables as well as of nutrients modulating gut microbiota. The COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated the health status of patients with skeletal fragility, also in terms of unhealthy dietary patterns that might adversely affect bone health. In this narrative review, we discuss the role of macro- and micronutrients in patients with bone fragility during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overview of oxidative stress and the role of micronutrients in critical illness.

Inflammation and oxidative stress represent physiological response mechanisms to different types of stimuli and injury during critical illness. Its proper regulation is fundamental to cellular and organismal survival and are paramount to outcomes and recovery from critical illness. A proper maintenance of the delicate balance between inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune response is crucial for resolution from critical illness with important implications for patient outcome. The extent of inflammation and oxidative stress under normal conditions is limited by the antioxidant defense system of the human body, whereas the antioxidant capacity is commonly significantly compromised, and serum levels of micronutrients and vitamins significantly depleted in patients who are critically ill. Hence, the provision of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients may help to reduce the extent of oxidative stress and therefore improve clinical outcomes in patients who are critically ill. As existing evidence of the beneficial effects of antioxidant supplementation in patients who are critically ill is still unclear, actual findings about the most promising anti-inflammatory and antioxidative candidates selenium, vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin D will be discussed in this narrative review. The existing evidence provided so far demonstrates that several factors need to be considered to determine the efficacy of an antioxidant supplementation strategy in patients who are critically ill and indicates the need for adequately designed multicenter prospective randomized control trials to evaluate the clinical significance of different types and doses of micronutrients and vitamins in selected groups of patients with different types of critical illness.

Immunomodulatory Role of Microelements in COVID-19 Outcome: a Relationship with Nutritional Status.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). SARS-CoV-2 infection can activate innate and adaptive immune responses and result in massive inflammatory responses in the disease. A comprehensive understanding of the participation of micronutrients in the immune response to COVID-19 will allow the creation of prevention and supplementation scenarios in malnutrition states. Microelement deficiency can be decisive in the progression of diseases and their optimal levels can act as protective factors, helping to maintain homeostasis. Vitamin A, B, D, selenium, zinc, and copper, through their complementary and synergistic effects, allow the components of innate and adaptive immunity to counteract infections like those occurring in the respiratory tract.Thus, alterations in nutritional status are related to metabolic diseases, systemic inflammation, and deterioration of the immune system that alter the response against viral infections, such as COVID-19. The aim of this review is to describe the micronutrients that play an important role as immunomodulators and its relationship between malnutrition and the development of respiratory infections with an emphasis on severe and critical COVID-19. We conclude that although an unbalanced diet is not the only risk factor that predisposes to COVID-19, a correct and balanced diet, which provides the optimal amount of micronutrients and favors an adequate nutritional status, could confer beneficial effects for prevention and improvement of clinical results. The potential usefulness of micronutrient supplementation in special cases is highlighted.

Zinc deficiency: an overlooked cause of poor health

Micronutrient deficiencies are common globally. George Winter looks at the effect of zinc deficiency on health in various groups of people

COVID-19 in Pregnancy: Influence of Body Weight and Nutritional Status on Maternal and Pregnancy Outcomes-A Review of Literature and Meta-Analysis.

In the last two and a half years, COVID-19 has been one of the most challenging public health issues worldwide. Based on the available evidence, pregnant women do not appear to be more susceptible to infection than the general population but having COVID-19 during pregnancy may increase the risk of major complications for both the mother and the fetus. The aim of this study is to identify the correlation between BMI and nutritional status and the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 infection in pregnancy, its severity, and maternal pregnancy outcomes. We carry out a systematic literature search and a meta-analysis using three databases following the guidelines of the Cochrane Collaboration. We include 45 studies about COVID-19-positive pregnant women. Compared with normal-weight pregnant women with COVID-19, obesity is associated with a more severe infection (OR = 2.32 [1.65-3.25]), increased maternal death (OR = 2.84 [2.01-4.02]), and a higher rate of hospital admission (OR = 2.11 [1.37-3.26]). Obesity may be associated with adverse maternal and pregnancy outcomes by increasing symptom severity and, consequently, hospital and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, and, finally, death rates. For micronutrients, the results are less definite, even if there seems to be a lower level of micronutrients, in particular Vitamin D, in COVID-19-positive pregnant women.

A comprehensive nutritional support perspective in patients with COVID-19: a review

Purpose>Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is becoming a crucial health problem worldwide. Continued and high-speed mutations of this virus result in the appearance of new manifestations, making the control of this disease difficult. It has been shown that well-nourished patients have strong immune systems who mostly have short-term hospitalization compared to others. The purpose of this study is to review the major nutrients involved in the immune system reinforcement and to explain nutritional aspects during the recovery of COVID-19.Design/methodology/approach>In this review paper, the mechanistic role of nutrients in boosting the immune system and the nutritional aspects during the recovery of COVID-19 patients were discussed. Papers indexed in scientific databases were searched using antioxidants, COVID-19, inflammation, immune system, macronutrient, micronutrient and probiotic as keywords from 2000 to 2022.Findings>Because of the adverse effects of drugs like thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and hypercholesterolemia, a balanced diet with enough concentrations of energy and macronutrients could increase the patient's durability. The inflammatory cytokines in a vicious cycle delay patients' rehabilitation. The main mechanistic roles of micronutrients are attributed to the downregulation of virus replication and are involved in energy homeostasis. Dysbiosis is defined as another disturbance among COVID-19 patients, and supplementation with beneficial strains of probiotics helps to exert anti-inflammatory effects in this regard. Being on a well-planned diet with anti-inflammatory properties could reverse cytokine storms as the major feature of COVID-19. Future studies are needed to determine the safe and effective dose of dietary factors to control the COVID-19 patients.Originality/value>Being on a well-planned diet with anti-inflammatory properties could reverse cytokine storms as the major feature of COVID-19. Future studies are needed to determine the safe and effective dose of dietary factors to control the COVID-19 patients.

A crisis within a crisis: Role of COVID-19 pandemic in poor compliance of Community-based Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition among children younger than five years in Pakistan

Introduction In order to attain Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG-II) of eradicating malnutrition among children by 2030, Pakistan has initiated a Community-based Management of Severely Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) program. This program has been established at the public level to detect and treat uncomplicated Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) children at an early stage. However, during the outbreak of COVID-19, very poor compliance with the CMAM program was observed. Consequently, the nutritional quality of children's diets has deteriorated, with malnutrition rates expected to rise. Therefore, this study has been set up to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on the health of SAM children and compliance with the CMAM program. Methodology This study used a multicenter cross-sectional design in District Dera Ghazi Khan's rural areas located in the Southern Province of Punjab. Data were collected from the parents/guardians of SAM children through the researcher-administrated questionnaire. The sample size was 196, and data were analyzed through SPSS version 25. Results The majority of the children enrolled were males (52.5%), had fathers aged between 41 and 50 years (52.0%), mothers aged between 21 and 30 years (52.5%), had illiterate fathers (40.1%), illiterate mothers (73.8%) and had a monthly household income of PKR <15,000 (91.1%). All of the respondents mentioned that COVID-19 affected them in one way or the other (100.0%), with a majority of them did not visit the hospital during COVID-19 for their SAM child (52.5%) as they were afraid of COVID-19 (63.2%) and/or they lacked access to transport for visiting a hospital (93.4%). Bivariate analysis revealed that the father's age (P = 0.02) and income (P = 0.00) is associated with the perceived effect of COVID-19 on income. In contrast, only the gender of the child (P = 0.00) is related to the visit to the hospital, and the gender of the child (P = 0.01) and mother's literacy (P = 0.00) is associated with the choice of treatment from any other setup, including Hakeem and Peer. Conclusion This study concludes that health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic pose a significant barrier to access to healthcare services and subject a more vulnerable state to already vulnerable groups like SAM children. To lessen their vulnerability, initiatives like mobile health care services should be introduced, especially for socially disadvantaged communities, localities, and groups on regular basis and for future emergencies.

Perception, knowledge, and consumption pattern of dietary supplement used during COVID-19 pandemic among black Africans: Perspective of Nigerians.

The awareness of the health implication of Covid-19 pandemic marked an increase consumption of various dietary and herbal supplements (DHS) for the deterrence and/or prophylaxis against the novel emerging and infectious disease. However, there is little indication of the usefulness or otherwise of their use in alleviating symptoms of COVID-19. Objectives: To investigate the pattern and determinants of DHS use among the Nigerian population for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Design: Cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Setting: Older adolescents and adults residing in Nigeria. Participants: Participants (n = 645) residing in the Nigeria were recruited from different geo-political zones and various ethnic groups. Primary and secondary outcomes: Prevalence and determinants for the use of different DHS for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 in Nigeria, and sources of information for DHS use. Results: Most participants (425, 65.9%) believed that dietary supplements are necessary during infectious disease outbreak, but a fewer proportion believed that supplements can be used in conjunction with other drugs to treat Covid-19. Vitamin C was the most known (70.0%) and Vitamin A. The least known (0.3%) dietary supplement Approximately half (50.2%) of the study subjects, more than a third (37.8%) and less than a quarter (22.7%) were aware that Folic acid, vitamin D and vitamin E are DS. Herbal dietary supplements mentioned as known by the study participants included Garlic (46.5%), Ginger (44.7%), Tumeric (36.3%), Moringa (40.0%) and Ginseng (26.3%). Citrus fruit as a DS was recognized by fewer (6.5%) study participants and only 1.6% referred to herbal tea as DHS. In all, 571 (88.5%) of the study participants took DHS during the Covid-19 pandemic with males 1.5 times more likely to take DHS than females (χ2 = 3.09, P-value = 0.08, OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 0.95, 2.47) during the pandemic. Participants reported lesser consumption of Selenium (27, 4.2%), Iron (20,3.1%), Zinc (61, 9.5%) and calcium (101, 15.7%) to prevent/treat Covid-19. Majority (271, 42.0%) of the study participants mentioned "health worker" as source of information on DHS while 13% mentioned "Social media". The sociodemographic determinants of DHS practices used to prevent/treat COVID-19 during the pandemic included older age group of 61-70 years, widows, secondary level of education and not employed. Conclusions: The findings showed widespread use of DHS for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. The use of DHS in this study was mainly guided by health workers with a marginal role of social media and Mass media. These findings call for a more robust consolidative tactic towards DHS to ensure its proper and safe use.