Skip to main content Skip to main navigation menu Skip to site footer
International Journal of Nutrology
Articles
DOI: 10.54448/ijn21310
Submitted: 11-21-2021
Published: 09-20-2021

The importance of dietary balance at COVID-19: the systematic review

Medical Clinic, Dom Afonso Henrique, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Kaiser Clinic and Hospital, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Dietary therapy Nutrition Immunity Nutritional management COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 disease has been heralded as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Dietary therapy and immunity play a decisive role in SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this sense, the lack of regulation and the excessive immune response to the viral stimulus produces an exacerbated pro-inflammatory cytokines (cytokine storm), reaching the state of hyperinflammation. Objective: To conduct a systematic review of the main considerations in the management of dietary therapy in the control or prophylaxis of COVID-19. Methods: Clinical studies with qualitative and/or quantitative analysis were included, following the rules of the systematic review-PRISMA. Results: A total of 370 articles were found involving dietary therapy, immunity, and COVID-19. A total of 107 articles were evaluated in full, and 28 were included and discussed in this study. Underlying systemic inflammation is believed to exacerbate COVID-19 infection. Studies have shown that there is a high risk of mortality in individuals with pre-existing health problems, such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Nutritional status is known to play a significant role in patient outcomes. It is necessary to follow a diet characterized by anti-inflammatory properties to benefit or prevent COVID-19. Adequate supplies of zinc, selenium, and vitamin D are essential for resistance to other viral infections, immune function, and reduced inflammation. There are nutritional triggers to favor immune-strengthening responses, as well as improving the performance of mitosis, meiosis, and all cellular functioning, all of this functioning is directly integrated with the energy balance and nutritional status of the body. Endogenous metabolites and nutrients in the diet can directly influence epigenetic enzymes. Conclusion: It is necessary to control the activities of inflammatory mediators through modifiable risk factors, such as diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle choices to control or prevent the harmful effects of COVID-19.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

  1. World Health Organization Off-label Use of Medicines for COVID-19. [(accessed on 20 September 2021)]; Available online: https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/off-label-use-of-medicines-for-covid-19
  2. ASSOCIAÇÃO BRASILEIRA PARA O ESTUDO DA OBESIDADE E DA SÍNDROME METABÓLICA. Diretrizes brasileiras de obesidade 2016. 4. ed. São Paulo: ABESO, 2016. Disponível em: https://abeso.org.br/ Acessado em 28 Agosto de 2021.
  3. Kass DA, Duggal P, Cingolani O. Obesity could shift severe COVID-19 disease to younger ages. Lancet [Internet]. 30 abr 2020 [capturado 8 jun 2020]; 395(10236):1544-1545. DOI 10.1016/ S0140-6736(20)31024- 2. Disponível em: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/ PIIS0140-6736(20)31024-2/fulltext.
  4. Schetz M, De Jong A, Deane AM, et al. Obesity in the critically ill: a narrative review. Intensive Care Med. 2019;45(6):757‐769. doi:10.1007/s00134-019-05594-1.
  5. Garg SS, Sharma A, Gupta J. Immunomodulation and immunotherapeutics of COVID-19. Clin Immunol. 2021 Aug 27;231:108842. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2021.108842. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34461289; PMCID: PMC8393504.
  6. Zabetakis I, Lordan R, Norton C, Tsoupras A. COVID-19: The Inflammation Link and the Role of Nutrition in Potential Mitigation. Nutrients. 2020 May 19;12(5):1466. doi: 10.3390/nu12051466. PMID: 32438620; PMCID: PMC7284818.
  7. Wu D., Lewis E.D., Pae M., Meydani S.N. Nutritional modulation of immune function: Analysis of evidence, mechanisms, and clinical relevance. Front. Immunol. 2019;9:9. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.03160.
  8. Grant W.B., Lahore H., McDonnell S.L., Baggerly C.A., French C.B., Aliano J.L., Bhattoa H.P. Evidence that vitamin d supplementation could reduce risk of influenza and COVID-19 infections and deaths. Nutrients. 2020;12:988. doi: 10.3390/nu12040988.
  9. Childs C.E., Calder P.C., Miles E.A. Diet and immune function. Nutrients. 2019;11:1933. doi: 10.3390/nu11081933.
  10. Calder P.C., Carr A.C., Gombart A.F., Eggersdorfer M. Optimal nutritional status for a well-functioning immune system is an important factor to protect against viral infections. Preprints. 2020;12:1181.
  11. Iddir M, Brito A, Dingeo G, Fernandez Del Campo SS, Samouda H, La Frano MR, Bohn T. Strengthening the Immune System and Reducing Inflammation and Oxidative Stress through Diet and Nutrition: Considerations during the COVID-19 Crisis. Nutrients. 2020 May 27;12(6):1562. doi: 10.3390/nu12061562. PMID: 32471251; PMCID: PMC7352291.
  12. Childs C.E., Calder P.C., Miles E.A. Diet and immune function. Nutrients. 2019;11:1933. doi: 10.3390/nu11081933.
  13. Calder P.C., Carr A.C., Gombart A.F., Eggersdorfer M. Optimal nutritional status for a well-functioning immune system is an important factor to protect against viral infections. Preprints. 2020;12:1181.
  14. Hoffmann M., Kleine-Weber H., Schroeder S., Krüger N., Herrler T., Erichsen S., Schiergens T.S., Herrler G., Wu N.-H., Nitsche A., et al. SARS-CoV-2 Cell Entry Depends on ACE2 and TMPRSS2 and Is Blocked by a Clinically Proven Protease Inhibitor. Cell. 2020;181:271–280.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.02.052.
  15. Beck M.A., Handy J., Levander O.A. Host nutritional status: The neglected virulence factor. Trends Microbiol. 2004;12:417–423. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2004.07.007.
  16. Georgousopoulou E.N., Kouli G.-M., Panagiotakos D.B., Kalogeropoulou A., Zana A., Chrysohoou C., Tsigos C., Tousoulis D., Stefanadis C., Pitsavos C. Anti-inflammatory diet and 10-year (2002–2012) cardiovascular disease incidence: The ATTICA study. Int. J. Cardiol. 2016;222:473–478. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.08.007.
  17. de Boer A., van de Worp W.R.P.H., Hageman G.J., Bast A. The effect of dietary components on inflammatory lung diseases – a literature review. Int. J. Food Sci. Nutr. 2017;68:771–787. doi: 10.1080/09637486.2017.1288199.
  18. Lago J.H.G., Toledo-Arruda A.C., Mernak M., Barrosa K.H., Martins M.A., Tibério I.F.L.C., Prado C.M. Structure-activity association of flavonoids in lung diseases. Molecules. 2014;19:3570–3595. doi: 10.3390/molecules19033570.
  19. Phillips C.M., Chen L.-W., Heude B., Bernard J.Y., Harvey N.C., Duijts L., Mensink-Bout S.M., Polanska K., Mancano G., Suderman M., et al. Dietary inflammatory index and non-communicable disease risk: A narrative review. Nutrients. 2019;11:1873. doi: 10.3390/nu11081873.
  20. Mattioli A.V., Ballerini Puviani M. Lifestyle at time of COVID-19: How could quarantine affect cardiovascular risk. Am. J. Lifestyle Med. 2020;14:240–242. doi: 10.1177/1559827620918808.
  21. Power S.E., Jeffery I.B., Ross R.P., Stanton C., O′Toole P.W., O′Connor E.M., Fitzgerald G.F. Food and nutrient intake of Irish community-dwelling elderly subjects: Who is at nutritional risk? J. Nutr. Health Aging. 2014;18:561–572. doi: 10.1007/s12603-014-0449-9.
  22. Haase H., Rink L. The immune system and the impact of zinc during aging. Immun. Ageing. 2009;6:9. doi: 10.1186/1742-4933-6-9.
  23. Gammoh N.Z., Rink L. Zinc in infection and inflammation. Nutrients. 2017;9:624. doi: 10.3390/nu9060624.
  24. Alexander J, Tinkov A, Strand TA, Alehagen U, Skalny A, Aaseth J. Early Nutritional Interventions with Zinc, Selenium and Vitamin D for Raising Anti-Viral Resistance Against Progressive COVID-19. Nutrients. 2020 Aug 7;12(8):2358. doi: 10.3390/nu12082358. PMID: 32784601; PMCID: PMC7468884.
  25. Shapira SN, Christofk HR. Metabolic Regulation of Tissue Stem Cells. Trends Cell Biol. 2020 Jul;30(7):566-576. doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2020.04.004. Epub 2020 Apr 28. PMID: 32359707.
  26. Shavandi A, Saeedi P, Gérard P, Jalalvandi E, Cannella D, Bekhit AE. The role of microbiota in tissue repair and regeneration. J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2020 Mar;14(3):539-555. doi: 10.1002/term.3009. Epub 2020 Jan 15. PMID: 31845514.
  27. Palmieri B, Vadalà M, Laurino C. Nutrition in wound healing: investigation of the molecular mechanisms, a narrative review. J Wound Care. 2019 Oct 2;28(10):683-693. doi: 10.12968/jowc.2019.28.10.683. PMID: 31600106.
  28. Domingues-Faria C, Vasson MP, Goncalves-Mendes N, Boirie Y, Walrand S. Skeletal muscle regeneration and impact of aging and nutrition. Ageing Res Rev. 2016 Mar;26:22-36. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2015.12.004. Epub 2015 Dec 9. PMID: 26690801.

How to Cite

Brugnoli, M. I. S., & Garrett, D. A. de A. (2021). The importance of dietary balance at COVID-19: the systematic review. International Journal of Nutrology, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.54448/ijn21310