Do you think there is a correlation between diet and the spread of the SARS CoV-2?
Maybe a diet based on fish, rich in fat, omega-3 and vitamin D is better ?
foods rich in antioxidants include berries, garlic and onion, contain Vitamins C, B and E, are essential for building up the immune system. This in turn may reduce the risk of diseases and at the same time help to fight off infections.
Diet having impact on immune system, vit C etc may have impact in reducing covid-19
Dear Carole C Tranchant,
Thank you for your professional and well-documented response,
Dear Ghafoor Ali,
Thank you for your answer. There are some opinion regarding the negative impact of C vitamin by increasing immunity.
What do you think about ?
Some nutrients can definitely help in improving the functionality of the immune system
Dear colleague,
Thank you for your answer,
There are some opinion regarding the negative impact of C vitamin by increasing immunity.
Treatments should not greatly increase the immune response, it is not a common flu.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7137406
”During infection, vitamin C levels can become depleted and a person’s requirement for vitamin C increases with the severity of the infection [1]. In severe cases, this may require intravenous administration of gram doses in order to achieve high enough levels in the body to compensate for the enhanced turnover of the vitamin.”
Richard Z. Cheng ”Can early and high intravenous dose of vitamin C prevent and treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
- DOI: 10.1016/j.medidd.2020.100028
No, it is a viral infection that required vaccine or antiviral.
Thank you, dr Kaminski for your answer.
Could you detail the answer, please?
Silvius
Mr.StanciuThank you for the query
There might be some negative role of vitamin C in immune system as stated by your good self but It is a potent antioxidant and a cofactor for a family of biosynthetic and gene regulatory enzymes. Vitamin C contributes to immune defense by supporting various cellular functions of both the innate and adaptive immune system.Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin and well known for its role in supporting a healthy immune system. ... As an antioxidant, vitamin C fights free radicals in the body which may help prevent or delay certain cancers and heart disease, and promote healthy aging. Vitamin C helps the body to produce more white blood cells, which in turn helps the body to fight infections.Vitamins such as D and C produce antimicrobial proteins that kill viruses and bacteria...and are not cures for the coronavirus, but they could help you recover faster
Regards.
Yes , diet can influence any infectious disease , both in incidence and outcomes.
It takes us back to the old concept of « métabolic terrain » of the host right ? Making a long story short, viewing the immune system as a forteress it takes good stones (molecular nutrition) to build it strong right ? Also, it has been proven that dietary carenced and infected subjects (when they survive long enough) are favoring viruses mutations to better adapt to new species. Not funny !
Thank you, prof. doctor Manolescu for your answer.
In my opinion, Yes, diet can influence infectious diseases, but not in all cases. It is too early for Covid to make any statements, but do you think that Ebola or HIV can be influenced by diet?
Hi....
I think type of food, but not amount of food can increase the immunity, which resists the infection of COVID 19
Thank you, prof. Ghafoor Ali, for your answer. I know about the importance of Vitamin C for health, but COVID is new infectious diseases, and unpredictable could appear.
Immune system can be boosted by protein rich diet. Can't comment on exact corelation between diet and corona prevention. Any when healthy dietary guidelines be followed to prevent obesity due to home restriction. Some studies recommend intake of citrus fruit juice and warm water. Routine gargles to protect throat. These measures can be adopted
Thank you, dear professor Zafar, for your answer.
And the vegetarians, what do vegetarians do ?
Certainly... Previous studies strongly recommended several nutrients to consume in an adequate way to boost up immune response. For example- Vit C, Vit B6, Vit A,D,E and Iron,zinc,magnesium, selenium.. Those nutrients containing food must be taken daily with a proper proportion. I have worked on therapeutic interventions, when it will get published, I will certainly message you the full text...
Certainly yes.. Infact in addition to diet suggested by all the four earlier Scientsts , I further suggest supplementation of Vitamin C , vitamin E and ( Vitamin B1 B6 and B12 combination capsule) would provide Antioxidants and good immunity..
Immune response is key in infectious disease prevention or outcome. Good nutrition boosts immunity and hence, the answer is yes.
Alongwith my earlier comments vis -a-vis inclusion of .vitamins supplementation , I fully endorse the views expressed by Dr.Angella M. George
To evidence the role of nutrition on the spread and mortality of covid-19, as a MD specialist in Human Nutrition I notice that the most represented comorbidities in the dead with coVid-19 are hypertension (74.6%), ischemic heart disease (70.4%) and type II diabetes (33.8%), pathologies clustering in Metabolic Syndrome that I describe in the works I suggest you to read, and which are attributable to excess nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, and chronic exposure to air pollution. Furthermore, it is good to keep in mind that sound scientific research shows that viruses such as coVid-19, infect and affect more people with IMMUNITY DEFICIT SECONDARY to: 1) excess nutrition (cause of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension);
2) protein/calories malnutrition and specific micronutrients deficiency (common in many elderly people);
3) sexual promiscuity and prostitution associated with unprotected intercourse which, such as the abuse of drugs with exchange of syringes, facilitates the HIV infection that promotes the ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME;
4) alcoholism (which results in malnutrition);
5) smoke which, by reducing the release of oxygen, reduces the pH, both factors that promote virus replication;
6) chronic exposure to air pollution that has similar effects to smoking.
Intriguingly, each of the 6 factors promotes the lowering of O2 and intracellular pH which favor the replication of viruses such as CoVid-19.
OBVIOUSLY the effects of these factors add up, so, if present in the same place as it occurs in the metropolises of the more industrialized areas such as New York, London, Milan, Madrid, Paris, where the highest number of infections and deaths have occurred, it follows which is precisely the secondary immune deficiency that facilitates the spread of viruses and the severity of the diseases they induce.
Unfortunately, in the world the Mediterranean Diet is not followed and, as research shows, also the regular practice of physical activity is not widespread. This lowers the effectiveness of the immune response.
In any event, only a balanced diet containing the proper amount of macro & micro nutrients can keep in good health the immune system. It is important to consume animal proteins because they are also the sources of Iron, Zinc, and Vit B12 which are essential for RBCs health, so crucial for optimal O2 release. Physical exercise and adequate hydration complete my recommendations.
Dear Donatella,
Thank you for your comments.
Maybe I will contact you in Catania, our university has a Faculty of Medicine in Enna.
You are welcome, dear @Silvius! Maybe your university is interested in my know-how and in my expertise in Human Nutrition related to my + 6 years clinical and research training in NYC at Columbia University. After all, the very high lethality for covid-19 in the North of Italy mainly certifies the faulty management of preventive medicine which is based on proper nutrition!
Dear Donatella, I am not responsible for the expansion of our university in Sicily, but we could ask those involved about collaborating with you,
Silvius
clearly, nutrition plays a role in health : diabetes, obesity... and comorbitities. therefore in covid...
Proper nutrition and hydration are vital. People who eat a well-balanced diet tend to be healthier with stronger immune systems and lower risk of chronic illnesses and infectious diseases. So you should eat a variety of fresh and unprocessed foods every day to get the vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, protein and antioxidants your body needs. Drink enough water. Avoid sugar, fat and salt to significantly lower your risk of overweight, obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and certain types of cancer.
http://www.emro.who.int/nutrition/nutrition-infocus/nutrition-advice-for-adults-during-the-covid-19-outbreak.html
Eat fresh and unprocessed foods every day
Eat fruits, vegetables, legumes (e.g. lentils, beans), nuts and whole grains (e.g. unprocessed maize, millet, oats, wheat, brown rice or starchy tubers or roots such as potato, yam, taro or cassava), and foods from animal sources (e.g. meat, fish, eggs and milk).
Daily, eat: 2 cups of fruit (4 servings), 2.5 cups of vegetables (5 servings), 180 g of grains, and 160 g of meat and beans (red meat can be eaten 1−2 times per week, and poultry 2−3 times per week).
For snacks, choose raw vegetables and fresh fruit rather than foods that are high in sugar, fat or salt.
Do not overcook vegetables and fruit as this can lead to the loss of important vitamins.
When using canned or dried vegetables and fruit, choose varieties without added salt or sugar.
http://www.emro.who.int/nutrition/nutrition-infocus/nutrition-advice-for-adults-during-the-covid-19-outbreak.html
Drink enough water every day
Water is essential for life. It transports nutrients and compounds in blood, regulates your body temperature, gets rid of waste, and lubricates and cushions joints.
Drink 8–10 cups of water every day.
Water is the best choice, but you can also consume other drinks, fruits and vegetables that contain water, for example lemon juice (diluted in water and unsweetened), tea and coffee. But be careful not to consume too much caffeine, and avoid sweetened fruit juices, syrups, fruit juice concentrates, fizzy and still drinks as they all contain sugar.
http://www.emro.who.int/nutrition/nutrition-infocus/nutrition-advice-for-adults-during-the-covid-19-outbreak.html
Eat moderate amounts of fat and oil
Consume unsaturated fats (e.g. found in fish, avocado, nuts, olive oil, soy, canola, sunflower and corn oils) rather than saturated fats (e.g. found in fatty meat, butter, palm and coconut oils, cream, cheese, ghee and lard).
Choose white meat (e.g. poultry) and fish, which are generally low in fat, rather than red meat.
Avoid processed meats because they are high in fat and salt.
Where possible, opt for low-fat or reduced-fat versions of milk and dairy products.
Avoid industrially produced trans fats. These are often found in processed food, fast food, snack food, fried food, frozen pizza, pies, cookies, margarines and spreads.
http://www.emro.who.int/nutrition/nutrition-infocus/nutrition-advice-for-adults-during-the-covid-19-outbreak.html
Dear dr. Moataz A. Al-Obaydi,
Thank you for your answer, but I don"t understand the correlation between diet and SARS-CoV2 origin.
I think there is no correlation between diet and SARS-CoV-2 origin.
Recently we have published a paper on the role of nutrition in strengthening immune system: Case of SARS-Cov-2
Article The role of nutrition in strengthening immune system against...
Covid-19 is a novel disease, so there is no evidence until now about beneficial results between determined type of nutrition and the incidence of this virosis.Nevermind it´s possible to think that some type of aliments that increase the human immune system can therefore decrease the possibility of a Covid-19 contagious or even increase the follow-up of a person with this disease.
Hi,
As far as I am concerned, I acknowledge that diet does not prevent infectious diseases in general. As infectious diseases are a consequence of exposure and subsequent immune-mediated interaction of the organism to an external biological pathogen, diet itself does not prevent either exposure or interaction.
However, diet may have an effect on immune-mediated response.
A diet that offers nutritional components that modulates inflammatory response, for instance, can hypothetically be helpful to modulate clinical presentation, but its efficacy would need to be proven.
Furthermore, specific diets impact nutricional status which, by its turn, may impact both presentation and severity of manifestation of diseases caused by biological pathogens.
Therefore, currently, there is no convincing data that indicate diet itself is able to reduce the incidence of COVID-19. Nonetheless, specific diets may be beneficial in modulating immune-response to the pathogen and recovery.
Peace and blessings!
Dear dr. Paulo R Benchimol-Barbosa, thank you for your scientific comments.
I agree with your anwer:
- ”Therefore, currently, there is no convincing data that indicate diet itself is able to reduce the incidence of COVID-19. Nonetheless, specific diets may be beneficial in modulating immune-response to the pathogen and recovery. ”
- ” As infectious diseases are a consequence of exposure and subsequent immune-mediated interaction of the organism to an external biological pathogen, diet itself does not prevent either exposure or interaction. ”
Dear prof. dr. Eduardo Rivas-Estany,
Thank you for your comments. I agree with your affirmation ”so there is no evidence until now about beneficial results between determined type of nutrition and the incidence of this virosis”
Coronavirus disease (Covid-19), which the World Health Organization now considers a pandemic, also poses an important public health threat. Although no food could prevent or treat coronavirus transmission alone; a healthy and balanced diet has been proven to strengthen the immune system along with physical activity and healthy sleeping habits.
Silvius Stanciu and Paulo R Benchimol-Barbosa as a rule, the lowering of O2 and intracellular pH, attributable also to poor nutrition such as excess nutrition and protein-energy malnutrition, favor the replication of viruses such as Covid-19. So, the answer is yes, a proper diet reduce the incidence of the disease caused by Covid-19 that is the acute respiratory complications that are reported to require prolonged ICU stays and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients. To learn more about this issue I suggest you to read: ESPEN expert statements and practical guidance for nutritional management of individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection. https://medicalnutritionindustry.com/files/user_upload/documents/COVID-19/ESPEN_expert_statements_and_guidance_ArticleInPress.pdf
To know more about the mechanisms linking chronic exposure to environmental stresses, such as poor nutrition and virus infection to the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome, a main comorbidity in the death with covid-19, I suggest you to read my book chapter: Chapter Zappulla D. The CO2 Hypothesis Update --Metabolic Syndrome: ...
There is currently no convincing evidence that any food or dietary pattern can ‘boost’ our immune system and prevent or treat COVID-19.There are several nutrients that play an important role in our immune system. It is generally advised to eat a healthy balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which allows us to get these nutrients.
Good hygiene practice, who are infected are the best-known ways to prevent infection.
The main role of food can be through increasing immunity and protecting the body to develop, as there are different foods that contain antioxidants such as vitamins and flavonoids that have a high role in protecting and avoiding to coronavirus disease (Covid-19) .
Dear colleague Luay A. Al-Helaly ,
Thank you for your answer,
Silvius
Dear Donatella Zappulla
I agree partially with you.
We don”t know so many thinks about SARS-CoV2, so we can not be sure on positive impact of diet. The incidence of pandemic is major in Apain and Italy, countries where the traditional diet for population is healthy food (mediteranean diet). So...impact of diet is minor, comparing to other
Silviu
There is no clear association between a viral i disease and diet, except for non viral conditions such as diabetes and alcoholic cirrhosis etc. I do no believe their will be one.
النظام الغذائي الصحي الغني بالفيتامينات وخاصه فيتامين سي يقلل من خطوره الاصابه بفيروس كورونا المستجد
The is new evidence about oxidative stress being a key factor in the endothelial damage caused by the COVID-19 virus once it binds to ACE2 receptors. There are some trials looking into antioxidants as possible supplements. N-acetylcysteine showed improvement and others are looking into possible mechanisms.
Article N-acetyl-cysteine may prevent COVID-19-associated cytokine s...
Achieving a proper dietary status through consumption of Antioxdants would certainly enhance one's immunity and would be a deterrent to viral infection and hence would also prevent COVID 19 infection. Research studies have proven this.
thank you, dr Mitchell V Kaminski , for your answer. I agree with you.
In my opinion, diet didn't reduce incident COVID 19 but, can support your immune system and increase anxiety and disrupt healthy eating.
Although proper and nutritionally balanced diet diet may not be treatment to viral diseases but such a diet definitely has a preventive role for viral diseases possibly through its role in immunity.
Diet can significantly improve the immune system which is critical toward the fight against the pandemic
In my opinion, diet can boost immunity and strong immunity system may reduce the risk of COVID-19.
Yeah absolutely cuz it affects respiratory system and good diet can help reduce weight so inhance respiration
We have known for a long time that nutrition is intricately linked to immunity and to the risk and severity of infections.According to many healthcare professionals, foods rich in antioxidants are essential for building up the immune system. This in turn can reduce the risk of diseases and at the same time help to fight off infections.
When dealing with a devious disease like Covid 19, it is best to take a firm stand that prevention is better than cure. Make sure that hygiene practices are in place, eat and stay healthy.
you can see the link below
https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_Nutrition_and_nutritionists_can_help_in_the_situation_of_covid_19?isAnswerFieldFocused=true#view=5eab45cf81b12d0e795e3334
https://www.pcrm.org/news/blog/diet-can-fight-diseases-linked-poor-covid-19-outcomes
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/eating-during-covid-19-improve-your-mood-and-lower-stress-2020040719409
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-020-0635-2
https://www.bangkokpost.com/life/social-and-lifestyle/1887725/beating-covid-19-risk-avoidance-better-health-and-diet
A proper diet has an impact on your health, including your immune system. On the other hand, the probability and scale of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection is determined by many factors, but independent of a particular diet. However, the scale of development of Covid-19 disease in a person infected with SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus depends on the state of health, and thus indirectly also to a certain extent on the previously used diet, but certainly not only on the diet.
Greetings,
Dariusz Prokopowicz
A balanced and healthy diet may improve immunity and hence better immune system to fight the disease. More chances of having less severity of disease. However no effect on spread of disease. Rather asymptomatic patients have more chances of spreading the disease.
I think balance diet has a big role. A balance diet that contains all the necessary components of food is very much important in maintaining optimum bodily functions including the immune system. Though there are multiple factors that play role in getting an infectious agent into a human body and cause infection, the role of lack of balance diet is pivotal in this process. Not having a good diet impairs the function of immune system and makes the body prone to contract infections easily.
YES, i agree with Abdul Haseeb The balanced diet play a great role. If we had a metabolically healthy population, the risk of hospitalization from COVID could be dramatically lower.
The balanced diet has a great role lie boosting immunity. But, still needs an effective vaccine.
I guess that squares the circle; malnutrition (either insuficient or imbalanced ) equals low immune answering capacity to create what-so-ever antibodies ( either the antigen is wild or vaccine ). So it will take both I guess, right ? Best, Daniel
PS. Not to talk about the poor nutritional status subjects (e.g. homeless as most evident, but not restricted to) beeing the best « terrain » for new viral mutations (if they survive the first attack ) !!!
Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals that are good for immune system developed. If diet are done on these food so immune system may be decreased due to imbalance of the nutrients and others.
Yes , the balanced diet having adequate amount of proteins, vitamins and antioxidants would reduce the incidence of COVID 19 infection
I think, the question has been answered by our colleagues here, and in my point of view, it is YES, the diet can reduce the incidence of COVID-19.
Based on my previous comments and the views of our colleagues provided in this column for the answers, I am fully convinced about the role of diet in preventing and reducing the incidence of COVID 19.
Certainly yes Dr. David Haddaway. I fully endorse his views.
Yes proper and appropriate diet extensively mentioned and discussed in this column would reduce the incidence of COVID 19.
Yes , well nutrition diet is strength immune system against CVID-19
I'll say yes because, good nutrition is an immune booster, hence the ability to resist infection.
Balance diet can boost up body's immune system. As a result, COVID-19 infection can be resisted with proper diet.
The comment made by Dr. Karim has significant positive implication towards resistance to COVID infection. So the emphasis should be consume balanced diet.
Yes, it reduce incidence of COVID-19 by increasing immune system basis on well nutrition diet.
Silvius Stanciu may be good food leads a strong immune system and someone with a strong immune mechanism are less likely to be infected by organisms.
Here is an idea worth exploring. The corona virus is a chicken virus that chickens are vaccinated for. Thus their yolk contains antibodiy (Ig Y) that is taken up by the developing chick which protects it. i.e., gut absorption conferring systemic immunity. This might be helpful for us. Recommend: Eat at least an egg a day with the yolk runny...until research is done to disprove this.
If diet helps boost the immune system, then it could help in reducing the fatality and not necessarily the incidence of Covid-19. This, however, is worth investigating.
Would one consider functional foods, micro-nutrients supplementation, nutraceutics and molecular nutrition complements as part of the generic « diet » term ? Cause' that would open a larger field of benefits, on a much broader metabolic nets and knots (e.g. imunitary, anti-inflamatory, anti-oxydant, anti-coagulants s.o. ) allowing better and faster recovery, leading to less transmission & new cases in population over a specified period of time, thus lower incidence.