Blackmores Institute

Examining the most recent literature on zinc status related to antiviral immunity and its possible role in severe acute respiratory viral infections such as COVID–19, the paper concluded that zinc is a critical factor for supporting antiviral immunity. “Epidemiological research and observational studies provide indications for zinc depletion in high–risk groups for COVID–19. As disturbed zinc homeostasis results in compromised immune functions, it is hypothesised to increase susceptibility for COVID–19. Therefore, correcting low zinc status in high risk groups could play a pivotal role in preventing and controlling COVID–19 disease,” the author explained.Emerging characteristics of COVID–19 show that patients most at risk of fatal outcome of COVID–19 are the elderly, those with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, hypertension, overweight and cancer. Comparing these outcomes to the risk groups for low zinc status then the following can be noticed: the elderly population, more at risk of severe COVID–19 disease, is also more at risk of zinc deficiency.According to the review, the decline of immune functions with ageing appears to be related to lower zinc availability and mild zinc deficiency, commonly seen with ageing, leading to dysregulation of the adaptive immune system, decreasing the specific immune response along with the tendency of enhanced production of proinflammatory cytokines.“In chronic inflammation, there is a continuous sequestration of intracellular zinc and the release of zinc bound to intracellular proteins (metallothionein) is impeded. As a consequence, intracellular zinc ion bioavailability, indispensable for proper immune function, is reduced.“In COVID–19, there are strong indications for downregulation of the innate immune response along with a high inflammatory condition, features similar to those found in SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome. This may explain why the elderly are more at risk of COVID–19 in contrast to young children who benefit from a highly effective innate immune response,” the author said.The author also highlights that the frequently reported, but unpublished sudden worsening of COVID-19 disease could result from an abruptly depleted zinc-pool in already mildly zinc deficient patients.“In this respect, the loss of taste and smell, often reported by patients with COVID–19, may be due to increased viral load. Yet, these are also known early symptoms of zinc deficiency,” the author said.While the paper states that foods abundant in zinc are fish, seafood, egg, meat, seeds, nuts, whole cereals and legumes, it does point out that the bioavailability of zinc is higher when obtained from animal sources compared with vegetable sources and further depends on diet composition. “There is an urgent need to implement dietary recommendations for all populations at risk of zinc depletion. In addition, prompt implementation of zinc supplementation should be considered in high– risk groups for zinc deficiency. These preventive and nutritional intervention measures have the potential to improve antiviral immune response for COVID–19 as well as for any future viral outbreaks. Large–scale studies are urgently needed to investigate the role of micronutrients in antiviral immunity, particularly drug–micronutrient immunity interaction,” the author concluded.Source:
 BMJ Nutrition, Prevention &amp; Health. 2020. DOI:<a href="https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2020/06/11/bmjnph-2020-000095">10.1136/ bmjnph-2020-000095</a>

A Dutch researcher has called for the urgent consideration of zinc supplementation as a preventative measure for severe acute respiratory viral infections in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention &amp; Health.

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