| Journal of Food Bioactives, ISSN 2637-8752 print, 2637-8779 online |
| Journal website www.isnff-jfb.com |
Perspective
Volume 10, June 2020, pages 1-8
Food bioactives, micronutrients, immune function and COVID-19
Tables
| Agent | Virus |
|---|---|
| Vitamin A | Measles virus, HIV, avian coronavirus |
| B vitamins | MERS-CoV |
| Vitamin C | Avian coronavirus; lower respiratory tract infections |
| Vitamin D | Viral acute respiratory infections; bovine coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2? |
| Vitamin E | Respiratory infections; coxsackievirus, bovine coronavirus |
| Selenium | Influenza virus, avian coronavirus, poliovirus |
| Zinc | Herpes simplex virus, HIV, measles virus, SARS-CoV? |
| Iron | Respiratory tract infections; viral mutations |
| Copper | Bronchitis virus, poliovirus, HIV |
| Carotenoids | HIV |
| Polyphenols | HIV, MERS-CoV |
| Omega-3 PUFAs | Herpes simplex virus, influenza virus (possibly harmful) |
| Probiotics | Viral respiratory tract infections |
| Most evidence of protective effects of micronutrients and food bioactives against infection comes from animal studies |
| High-quality investigations on food bioactives and micronutrients, particularly randomised controlled trials, and immunity in humans are not available |
| Many factors can affect the efficacy of micronutrients and food bioactives in infectious diseases (type of pathogen; dosage, timing and duration of supplementation; age, health and nutritional status of target population) |
| Micronutrient and bioactive supplementation needs to be tailored to specific age-related needs |
| It is unclear whether and to what extent there is an additional need for micronutrients or bioactives in viral infections, including COVID-19 |
| Prolonged supplementation of micronutrients and food bioactives at high doses may have adverse effects and may even aggravate infectious diseases |
| Evidence evaluating dietary supplementation in COVID-19 is lacking |