Nutrigenetics and nutrition aspects in COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Severe acute respiratory syndrome, COVID-19, is a global pandemic and is facing unprecedented challenges. The introduction of several precautions during the pandemic, such as lockdown and long-term isolation, might result in the adoption of poor dietary habits, raising the medium-term risk of noncommunicable diseases. Determining the impact of nutrition is crucial since dietary habits may prevent both nutritional disorders and act as an immunostimulant, assisting in the prevention, treatment, and recovery of patients with viral infections, particularly those with COVID-19. Although there are various medications such as antiviral drugs, interferons, etc., and vaccines to combat COVID-19 but they all have many limitations. There is a high need to move towards a more promising approach to cure this illness. Nutrigenetics involves determining how nutrients and other food ingredients affect gene regulation and gene expression. Nutrigenetics help in identifying a person's unique nutritional needs based on their genetic makeup and the relationship between diet and chronic diseases, which will aid in understanding the etiology of chronic illnesses like cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. For the proper functioning of immune function, a healthy and balanced diet is very necessary. The consumption of macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins;D, C, E, folate, B6, B12, and minerals;zinc, copper, iron, and selenium) are essential for the normal functioning of the immune function and increased resistance to viral infections such as COVID-19. Gut microbiota plays a very important role in the regulation of the immune system and hence in various viral infections. It has been observed that people suffering from intestinal dysbiosis are more linked to chronic diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases and are at higher risks of COVID-19. The human microbiome is supported by dietary and host-derived nutrients, enabling its survival. Because changes in diet can impact the composition of bacteria in the gut, changes in the microbiota can be linked to changes in nutrition. A number of probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have been reported to significantly reduce the severity of viral infections as well as enhance intestinal health and general immunity. In conclusion, nutrigenetics is crucial for proper immune functioning and can be a vital tool for boosting the immune system and helping to fight against viral infections such as COVID-19. © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.