Category: Novel Viruses

The Greatest Missed Opportunity of Modern Human Civilization: Nutrition for Protection from COVID-19 and its Serious Effects

The Greatest Missed Opportunity of Modern Human Civilization: Nutrition for Protection from COVID-19 and its Serious Effects

Abstract:

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront the importance of immunity and its role in fighting infections. While vaccines and other medical interventions are important, there has been a missed opportunity in promoting good nutrition as a key factor in building strong immunity. A growing body of evidence has shown that a balanced and nutrient-rich diet can help prevent and reduce the severity of COVID-19 and other infections. This paper will review the current evidence on the role of nutrition in protecting against COVID-19 and its serious effects, and will highlight the importance of incorporating nutrition into public health strategies.

Introduction:

COVID-19 has been a wake-up call for the world, highlighting the importance of immunity in fighting infections. While many have focused on vaccines and other medical interventions, there has been a missed opportunity in promoting good nutrition as a key factor in building strong immunity. Research has shown that a balanced and nutrient-rich diet can help prevent and reduce the severity of COVID-19 and other infections. Despite this, public health campaigns have not prioritized nutrition as a means of protecting against COVID-19. This paper will explore the evidence on the role of nutrition in protecting against COVID-19 and its serious effects, and will argue for a greater emphasis on nutrition in public health strategies.

Body:

  • I. The role of nutrition in protecting against COVID-19
  • Importance of immune system in fighting infections
  • Evidence linking poor nutrition to increased risk of infection and severity of illness
  • Nutrient deficiencies associated with poor COVID-19 outcomes
  • Specific nutrients that have been shown to benefit immune function and COVID-19 outcomes (vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, etc.)
  • II. Public health campaigns and the missed opportunity of nutrition
  • Focus on vaccines and medical interventions
  • Limited attention to nutrition in public health campaigns
  • Importance of a holistic approach to public health
  • III. Incorporating nutrition into public health strategies
  • Education and awareness campaigns on the importance of nutrition
  • Availability of nutrient-rich foods in schools, hospitals, and other public institutions
  • Incentives for companies to promote and produce healthier foods
  • Integration of nutrition into healthcare and public health policies

Conclusion:

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the importance of immunity and the role of nutrition in building strong immune function. Despite this, there has been a missed opportunity in promoting good nutrition as a key factor in fighting COVID-19 and other infections. Incorporating nutrition into public health strategies could help prevent and reduce the severity of COVID-19 and other infections, and should be a priority for governments and public health institutions. By prioritizing good nutrition, we can help build a stronger and healthier society.

References:

Calder, P. C. et al. Nutrition and immunity: lessons for COVID-19. Eur. J. Nutr. 59, 1403–1429 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-020-02264-5

Damião, R. et al. Food and nutrition security during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive overview. Food Sci. Technol. 40, 7–16 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1590/fst.05420

Gombart, A. F., Pierre, A. & Maggini, S. A review of micronutrients and the immune system–working in harmony to reduce the risk of infection. Nutrients 12, 236 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12010236

Huang, Z. et al. The battle against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): emergency management and infection control in a radiology department. J. Am. Coll. Radiol. 17, 710–716 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacr.2020.03.011

Ismail, M. et al. The potential role of vitamin D in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Brain Behav. Immun. 87, 246–251 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2020.06.001

King, S. et al. The importance of nutrition in aiding recovery from COVID-19. Healthcare 8, 144 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare8020144

National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian Dietary Guidelines. (2013) Available at: https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/guidelines/australian-dietary-guidelines-1-5. (Accessed: 23rd Feburary 2022).

Queensland Health. Nutrition and immune function. (2020). Available at: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/news-events/news/nutrition-and-immune-function. (Accessed: 23rd Feburary 2022).

The Lancet Commission on lessons for the future from the COVID-19 pandemic – The Lancet

The Lancet Commission on lessons for the future from the COVID-19 pandemic – The Lancet

Section 1 of this Commission report provides a conceptual framework for understanding pandemics. Section 2 provides an annotated chronology of the COVID-19 pandemic and thematic findings regarding several issues. Section 3 presents our policy recommendations, particularly around multilateral cooperation centred at WHO to address global health crises, and around investments in preparedness for future health crises through strong national health systems and international financing and technology cooperation with the world’s lower-income regions.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2822%2901585-9/fulltext

Ivermectin for Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 Infection: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Trial Sequential Analysis to Inform Clinical Guidelines

Ivermectin for Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 Infection: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Trial Sequential Analysis to Inform Clinical Guidelines

Moderate-certainty evidence finds that large reductions in COVID-19 deaths are possible using ivermectin. Using ivermectin early in the clinical course may reduce numbers progressing to severe disease. The apparent safety and low cost suggest that ivermectin is likely to have a significant impact on the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic globally.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8248252/

Nutrients | Free Full-Text | The Mutual Relationship among Cardiovascular Diseases and COVID-19: Focus on Micronutrients Imbalance

Nutrients | Free Full-Text | The Mutual Relationship among Cardiovascular Diseases and COVID-19: Focus on Micronutrients Imbalance

Micronutrients are ions and vitamins humbly required by the human body. They play a main role in several physiological mechanisms and their imbalance is strongly associated with potentially-fatal complications. Micronutrient imbalance is associated with many cardiovascular diseases, such as arrythmias, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease. It has been also observed in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly in most severe patients. The relationship between cardiovascular diseases and COVID-19 is mutual: the latter triggers cardiovascular disease onset and worsening while patients with previous cardiovascular disease may develop a more severe form of COVID-19. In addition to the well-known pathophysiological mechanisms binding COVID-19 and cardiovascular diseases together, increasing importance is being given to the impact of micronutrient alterations, often present during COVID-19 and able to affect the balance responsible for a good functioning of the cardiovascular system. In particular, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hyponatremia, and hypocalcemia are strongly associated with worse outcome, while vitamin A and D deficiency are associated with thromboembolic events in COVID-19. Thus, considering how frequent the cardiovascular involvement is in patients with COVID-19, and how it majorly affects their prognosis, this manuscript provides a comprehensive review on the role of micronutrient imbalance in the interconnection between COVID-19 and cardiovascular diseases.

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/16/3439

Serious Adverse Events of Special Interest Following mRNA Vaccination in Randomized Trials by Joseph Fraiman, Juan Erviti, Mark Jones, Sander Greenland, Patrick Whelan, Robert M. Kaplan, Peter Doshi :: SSRN

Serious Adverse Events of Special Interest Following mRNA Vaccination in Randomized Trials by Joseph Fraiman, Juan Erviti, Mark Jones, Sander Greenland, Patrick Whelan, Robert M. Kaplan, Peter Doshi :: SSRN

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4125239