Better use of immunonutrition could benefit vulnerable groups during a pandemic such as COVID-19, according to a review of the scientific literature by two doctors published in the April 2020 issue of BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health.
We’re talking an array of micronutrients, but primarily vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc. There’s a wealth of evidence backing the significant roles played by all three in supporting a healthy immune system and improving our ability to combat respiratory illness, including flu and flu-like viral attacks.
A NutraIngredients story published in May 2020 reviews the recent evidence on these key micronutrients and mounts a strong case for increasing your intake of all of them, whether by eating more of the foods that contain them or via straight-out supplementation.
Related reading
Check out the original review, conducted by Dr Emma Derbyshire and Dr Joanne Delange, in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention and Health (April 2020): ‘COVID-19: is there a role for immunonutrition, particularly in the over 65s?’
Read this related article discussing a review of the scientific literature that reveals an ‘indisputable’ relationship between humans’ vitamin D intake and their capacity to mount a robust immune response.
Sources:
Coronavirus: Doctors outline role of immunonutrition
Overwhelming evidence’ supports Vitamin D’s immune function benefits
Coronavirus: ‘Significant link’ found between dietary selenium and cure rate I NutraIngredients