Global Dietary and Herbal Supplement Use during COVID-19—A Scoping Review

Arora, Ishaan; White, Shecoya; Mathews, Rahel

doi:10.3390/nu15030771

Cited by 23 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Since the onset of COVID-19 pandemics, the use of supplements believed to strengthen the immune system has increased with vitamin C, zinc, multivitamins and vitamin D being the most popular among vitamins and trace elements [27 ▪ ]. Recent evidence showed that micronutrient supplementation, especially vitamin D, vitamin A and zinc, may prevent and have a positive effect on the course of respiratory infection which encourages a similar approach for COVID-19 [28–31].…”

Section: Micronutrients and Coronavirus Disease 2019mentioning

confidence: 99%

Micronutrients, genetics and COVID-19

Kotur

Stanković

Pavlović

2023

Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition &Amp; Metabolic Care

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Purpose of reviewMarked inter-individual differences in the clinical manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has initiated studies in the field of genetics. This review evaluates recent genetic evidence (predominantly in the last 18 months) related to micronutrients (vitamins and trace elements) and COVID-19.Recent findingsIn patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), altered circulating levels of micronutrients may serve as prognostic markers of disease severity. Mendelian randomization (MR) studies did not find significant effect of variable genetically predicted levels of micronutrients on COVID-19 phenotypes, however, recent clinical studies on COVID-19 point out to vitamin D and zinc supplementation as a nutritional strategy to reduce disease severity and mortality. Recent evidence also points to variants in vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene, most notably rs2228570 (FokI) “f” allele and rs7975232 (ApaI) “aa” genotype as poor prognostic markers.SummarySince several micronutrients were included in the COVID-19 therapy protocols, research in the field of nutrigenetics of micronutrients is in progress. Recent findings from MR studies prioritize genes involved in biological effect, such as the VDR gene, rather than micronutrient status in future research. Emerging evidence on nutrigenetic markers may improve patient stratification and inform nutritional strategies against severe COVID-19.

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Section: Micronutrients and Coronavirus Disease 2019mentioning

confidence: 99%

Micronutrients, genetics and COVID-19

Kotur

Stanković

Pavlović

2023

Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition &Amp; Metabolic Care

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“…There are also several types of herbal supplements/natural products which have been considered as they may act against diverse infections, including COVID-19 [17]. The most widely used are ginger, garlic, honey, turmeric (curcumin), lemon, black seed, cinnamon, and anise.…”

Section: Dietary Supplementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical Evidence on the Potential Beneficial Effects of Diet and Dietary Supplements against COVID-19 Infection Risk and Symptoms’ Severity

Pavlidou,

Poulios,

Papadopoulou

et al. 2024

Medical Sciences

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Background: Diet and dietary supplements aim to add trace elements, vitamins, and minerals to the body to improve human health and boost the immune system. In the previous few years, the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus strain has been threatening the health of individuals and public health more broadly, with rates of intensive care unit cases on the rise, while long-term COVID-19 complications are persisting until today. In the peculiar circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, in combination with disease prevention techniques, the strengthening of the immune system is considered particularly important to enable it to effectively respond to and eliminate the SARS-CoV-2 viral pathogen in the event of infection. The purpose of the current literature review is to thoroughly summarize and critically analyze the current clinical data concerning the potential beneficial effects of diet and dietary supplements against COVID-19 infection risk and symptoms’ severity. The micronutrients/supplements examined in this study in relation to COVID-19 infection are vitamins A, B, C, and D, zinc, selenium, magnesium, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, glutamine, resveratrol, beta-glucans, and probiotics. The potential effects of dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet against SARS-CoV-2 infection risk and symptoms’ severity were also analyzed. Our literature review suggests that micro- and macronutrient supplementation and a healthy diet and lifestyle may provide support to immune system function, with beneficial effects both before and during SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, additional studies are recommended to draw safe conclusions and formulate dietary recommendations concerning dietary supplements and their possible effects on preventing and co-treating COVID-19 disease.

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“…Symptomatic treatment of long‐COVID is mostly based on prescribed antiviral, anti‐inflammatory drugs for COVID‐19, however, often these drugs fail to counter the relapsing symptoms (Yong, 2021). That is why, in search of a remedy for symptom relief, patients and also doctors are turning toward over‐the‐counter non‐pharmaceutical products, like dietary supplements, that can play the role of treatment adjuvants (Arora et al, 2023).…”

Section: Facts About Covid‐19 Along With Its Severity Risk Of Organ D...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Role of dietary supplements in the continuous battle against COVID‐19

Zaman,

Ravichandran,

Tan

2024

Phytotherapy Research

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A sudden outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic was a big blow to the world community on every level. Created by a novel coronavirus, SARS‐CoV‐2, which was previously unknown to the human immune system. The expert opinion almost immediately united on the fact that the most effective way of fighting the pandemic would be by building immunity artificially via a mass immunization program. However, it took about a year for the approval of the first vaccine against COVID‐19. In the meantime, a big part of the general population started adapting nutritious diet plans and dietary supplements to boost natural immunity as a potential prophylactic strategy against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Whether they originate from mainstream medicine, such as synthetic supplements, or traditional herbal remedies in the form of single or poly‐herbs, these supplements may comprise various components that exhibit immunomodulatory, anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial characteristics. There is a substantial body of predictions and expert opinions suggesting that enhancing one's diet with dietary supplements containing additional nutrients and bioactive compounds like vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, phytochemicals, and probiotics can enhance the immune system's ability to develop resistance against COVID‐19, although none of them have any conclusive evidence nor officially recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). The current review critically acclaims the gap between public perception‐based preference and real evidence‐based study to weigh the actual benefit of dietary supplements in relation to COVID‐19 prevention and management.

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Global Dietary and Herbal Supplement Use during COVID-19—A Scoping Review

Cited by 23 publications

References 37 publications

Micronutrients, genetics and COVID-19

Micronutrients, genetics and COVID-19

Clinical Evidence on the Potential Beneficial Effects of Diet and Dietary Supplements against COVID-19 Infection Risk and Symptoms’ Severity

Role of dietary supplements in the continuous battle against COVID‐19

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