Protective effect of nutrition and supplements on COVID-19 management

In March 2020, an infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 termed COVID-19, was declared by WHO, as a world pandemic having affected 54.1 crores individuals across 230 countries to date (23rd June 2022). The infection is caused due to a fast-mutating virus that can best be controlled through one's immune system and strengthening the same is a challenge currently. Enriching immunity has persistently been a matter of study and conclusive results depict that nutritional status has a tremendous impact on strengthening immunity. Both macro-and micronutrients play a significant role in developing a strong immune response. Most of the mediators of immune response like cytokines, interferons, and antibodies along with surface markers such as MHC, toll-like receptors, membrane transporters, etc., are all proteinaceous, and hence an adequate protein intake is vital for ideal immune response. The fermentation of dietary fiber by the microflora in the gut leads to the generation of short-chain fatty acids known to be anti-inflammatory. Poor status of nutrients such as vitamin A and zinc have been reported to be related to not only the increased rate of infection risk but also higher levels of oxidative stress as well as inflammation. Both these factors down regulate the immunity and thereby lower the recovery rate. These nutrients mediate the immune signalling pathways including the transcription of factors as NFkB and Nrf-2 and reduce the generation of cytokines as IL-6 which are associated with reducing inflammation. Nutrients like vitamin D besides working on immunity also play a substantial contribution in preventing infection as they modulate the surface receptors, thereby hindering the entry of viruses into the host cells. This article is aimed at emphasising the vital significance of nutritional status in enhancing the immune system and preventing infection during the current pandemic.

Significance of nuts in strengthening immune system during COVID-19

Viral infections are contagious and deadly. Many viral attacks in the past decades including COVID-19 have turned into pandemics and cost millions of lives. Treatment to virus is difficult as they transform themselves into many variants. Thus, an intelligent way of keeping oneself out of the trouble is through better nutrition that enhance immune responses. Foods that provide high quantities of nutrients are vegetables, fruits and nuts. They are rich in fibres, fats, protein, vitamins, minerals and plant bioactive compounds like phytosterols, polyphenolics, flavonoids, etc. Many studies and randomised control trials have proven their therapeutic effects and health promoting capacities. These compounds interfere with the pathways of metabolic mechanisms in the human body and work by either providing a protective scope or by destroying any harmful incomings into the body;that would disrupt the homeostasis. In this article, nuts and their nutritive components that administer healthy benefits are discussed. Almonds, cashew nuts, pistachios, peanuts, chestnuts and Brazil nuts are examined and reviewed here. The nutritional composition of these nuts and their mechanism to offer medicinal properties are explained in detail. Apart from nutritional values, these nuts are rich source of antioxidants that confer anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory features. These activities enhance the immune responses by activating the defense mechanisms. Apart from the intake of highly nutritious diet, practising social distancing, isolation and better sanitation procedures are highly beneficial to avoid the severity of the viral attacks.

A Critical Review of Diet Supplementation: The Rationale, Concerns and Guiding Principles in Modern Healthcare

There has been a massive surge in the intake of dietary supplements in recent years, with millions of people taking the "magic pills " worldwide, either with the hope of achieving general well-being, treat specific disease, or retard the aging process. Supplementing the diet with multivitamins and minerals (MVMs) has revolutionized modern healthcare, with many "experts " claiming such drugs have a critical role to play in the prevention and treatment of many health conditions. Many are of the opinion that since dietary supplements are mere extracts from certain foods and herbs, so unlike drugs, have no significant side effects, are "all natural, " and are therefore "safe " for a non-medical prescription. The association of the deficiency of some MVMs, such as vitamins C, D, and Zinc, with the increased incidence and progression of COVID-19, has also strengthened the argument in favor of routine diet supplementation. The objectives of this article are to investigate the health and therapeutic claims attributed to some dietary supplements, their safety concerns, and their possible role in modern healthcare. A review of related online free-full articles written in the English language published from 2000 to 2021 was done. While the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of some dietary supplements are clearly understood and established, others are still shrouded in serious confusions and safety concerns, especially for long-term use. Until more evidence is available, routine intake of dietary supplements should be discouraged, except there are clear medical indications. Rather, all people should ensure they get their required nutrients from whole foods.

State of the art on the relationship between vitamin D and Covid-19

Vitamin D modulates the secretion of antimicrobial peptides and anti-inflammatory cytokines and the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. These effects may prevent the consequences of cytokine storm. Clinical studies show, taking into account potential confounding factors, that hypovitaminosis D may be an independent risk factor for severe Covid-19. Interventional data show that high-dose supplementation limits severe disease and improves, at least temporarily, the prognosis. © 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS La vitamine D module la sécrétion des peptides antimicrobiens et des cytokines anti-inflammatoires ainsi que l'activité du système rénine-angiotensine-aldostérone. Ces effets peuvent prévenir les conséquences de l'orage cytokinique. Les études cliniques montrent, en tenant compte des potentiels facteurs de confusion, que l'hypovitaminose D pourrait constituer un facteur de risque indépendant de forme grave de Covid-19. Quant aux données interventionnelles, elles rapportent que la supplémentation à forte dose limite les formes sévères de la maladie et en améliore, au moins transitoirement, le pronostic vital. © 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS

[Eating better to improve resistance to sars-Cov-2]. / Mieux se nourrir pour mieux résister au Sars-CoV-2.

Eating habits are evolving. In a public health context, guidelines are regularly updated according to the nutritional status and health of the French population, but some of these recommendations go unheeded. In the context of the current epidemic, nutritional care must be provided to high risk populations as well as to patients presenting, or having presented, COVID-19, in order to favour immunity and recovery.

[COVID-19 and micronutrients to regulate the immune response]. / Covid-19 et les micronutriments en régulation de la réponse immunitaire.

Our social environment shapes our eating habits, notably our consumption of fruit and vegetables rich in micronutrients (vitamins and trace elements), essential for regulating the immune system. Ensuring a balanced intake of micronutrients could prove to be particularly beneficial for patients with severe forms of COVID-19 suffering from critical immune dysregulation.

Letter to the editor: Covid-19 and Vit-D: Disease mortality negatively correlates with sunlight exposure.

The manuscript "Covid-19 And Vit-D: Disease Mortality Negatively Correlates with Sunlight Exposure" held our attention as we found fatal shortcomings that invalidates the analyses and conclusions.