Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Improving Immunity during Covid-19 Pandemic - A Review.
Archana Dhok1, Lata Kanyal Butola2, Ashish Anjankar3, Amol Datta Rao Shinde4, Prakash Kesharao Kute5, Roshan Kumar Jha6
1Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India. 2Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India. 3Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India. 4Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India. 5Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India. 6Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Lata Kanyal Butola, Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India.
Email : kanyallata1010@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought attention to the role of the immune system. The immune system can be strengthened by diet, supplements and good hygiene practices. The immune system is comprised of different cells contained in the blood, lymph, and tissues that are distributed across the body. A large number of cells and even greater numbers of chemical messengers engage in the body's immune defence. In immune response blood cells, B-lymphocytes and T- lymphocytes play a vital role. The world health organization, urges people to follow a healthier lifestyle, saying it will increase their chances of a quick recovery. Proper nutrition is required for proper functioning of immune system. Therefore, healthy balanced diet is the best way to support the immune function. Vitamins and minerals are important ingredients of the diet that the body requires to work properly. Vit D is required in limited amounts to maintain good health. Vitamins and minerals together are also called micronutrients, as they are required in very small quantities. On the other hand, carbs, proteins and fats are altogether termed as macronutrients. In recent years, vitamins A, C, D, and E, believed to have an effect on the immune system, have gained significant attention because they are involved in enhancement of immune systems. Solely, vit-A is involved in proper functioning of eye, immune system and also takes care of skin and genes. In green leafy vegetables, carrots, pumpkin, melons and mangoes vitamins are present in form of pre-vitamins, and further converted into active vit A inside the human body. It is surprising that liver, yolk of egg, butter, whole milk, and cheese are active source of vitamin A. Having a healthy diet including lots of fruits, vegetables is a key component of healthy lifestyles and plays a crucial role in maintaining a properly functioning and efficient immune system to defend against infections and other diseases. All the data was assessed from online search (PubMed, Google Scholar). In this review article we concentrate on vitamins and minerals.
Key words
Immunity, Vitamins, Minerals, COVID-19
BACKGROUND
The immune system has unique protective functions against infections. Bacteria that invade give raise to two radically different types of responses. Innate immunity is natural; its responses are similar to the infectious agent encountered, while acquired immunity is adaptive immunity; its responses rises strongly to repeated exposure to specific infection. Phagocytic cells, cells releasing inflammatory mediators and natural killers are types of innate responses.[1] Immunity is a diverse and redundant system that needs all of the nutrients to work properly. The immune response can be divided into three phases: reaction, control, and end reaction. The nutrient needs are greater during the response due to the need for mediator cell proliferation and synthesis.[2]
CONCLUSIONS
Immune system is highly dependent on micronutrients. Its deficiencies have high impact on the immune system. Proper amount of antioxidant neutralizer is useful in prevention of immune cells because phagocytes contain ROS as part of defence system against infection. Diet is considered as a good source for providing most of the antioxidants although a higher dose of antioxidants has been suggested to boost the body’s immune system. The immune system operates at all times but in the presence of pathogens, unique immunity becomes more and more active. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats produces energy, involving electron transport chain and various coenzymes that are derivatives of vitamins. Fe and Cu are present in ETC which are essential for proper functioning of the immune cells. Vitamin A, D, other nutrients, and their metabolites regulate gene expression of immune cells. It also plays vital role in maturation, differentiation and responsiveness of immune cells in the host. In the light of above review, role of nutrients in maintenance of immune system is clearly observed and present review findings suggest that sufficient and balanced supply of nutrients is necessary for proper functioning of the immune system.
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How to cite this article
Dhok A, Butola LK, Anjankar A, et al. Role of vitamins and minerals to improve immunity during covid-19 pandemic- a review. J. Evolution Med. Dent. Sci. 2020;9(32):2296-2300, DOI: 10.14260/jemds/2020/497