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Mini-Review on the Roles of Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Selenium in the Immune System against COVID-19.
- Source :
-
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) [Molecules] 2020 Nov 16; Vol. 25 (22). Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Nov 16. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Low levels of micronutrients have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes during viral infections. Therefore, to maximize the nutritional defense against infections, a daily allowance of vitamins and trace elements for malnourished patients at risk of or diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be beneficial. Recent studies on COVID-19 patients have shown that vitamin D and selenium deficiencies are evident in patients with acute respiratory tract infections. Vitamin D improves the physical barrier against viruses and stimulates the production of antimicrobial peptides. It may prevent cytokine storms by decreasing the production of inflammatory cytokines. Selenium enhances the function of cytotoxic effector cells. Furthermore, selenium is important for maintaining T cell maturation and functions, as well as for T cell-dependent antibody production. Vitamin C is considered an antiviral agent as it increases immunity. Administration of vitamin C increased the survival rate of COVID-19 patients by attenuating excessive activation of the immune response. Vitamin C increases antiviral cytokines and free radical formation, decreasing viral yield. It also attenuates excessive inflammatory responses and hyperactivation of immune cells. In this mini-review, the roles of vitamin C, vitamin D, and selenium in the immune system are discussed in relation to COVID-19.
- Subjects :
- Antibodies, Viral biosynthesis
Betacoronavirus drug effects
Betacoronavirus immunology
Betacoronavirus pathogenicity
COVID-19
Coronavirus Infections diet therapy
Coronavirus Infections immunology
Coronavirus Infections virology
Cytokine Release Syndrome diet therapy
Cytokine Release Syndrome immunology
Cytokine Release Syndrome virology
Cytokines antagonists & inhibitors
Cytokines biosynthesis
Host-Pathogen Interactions drug effects
Host-Pathogen Interactions immunology
Humans
Immune System drug effects
Immunologic Factors therapeutic use
Micronutrients therapeutic use
Pneumonia, Viral diet therapy
Pneumonia, Viral immunology
Pneumonia, Viral virology
SARS-CoV-2
T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic drug effects
T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic immunology
T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic virology
Ascorbic Acid therapeutic use
Coronavirus Infections prevention & control
Cytokine Release Syndrome prevention & control
Dietary Supplements
Pandemics prevention & control
Pneumonia, Viral prevention & control
Selenium therapeutic use
Vitamin D therapeutic use
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1420-3049
- Volume :
- 25
- Issue :
- 22
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33207753
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25225346