ENHANCEMENT OF IMMUNE SYSTEM IN ADDITION TO MEDICAL THERAPY FOR COUNTERACTING COVID-19: THE IMPORTANCE OF MICRONUTRIENTS

Immune responses in patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 infection have been dysregulated. Decreased T cells, natural killer cells, monocytes/macrophages and increased proinflammatory cytokines are observed. Immunological status of the body is greatly affected by the nutrition. Micronutrients are required for the optimum performance of macronutrients. Vitamin and trace element deficiencies are generally associated with altered immune responses, which lead to increased susceptibility to infections. Supplementation with micronutrients generally reverses many impaired immune responses. In this study, close associations between the regulation of immune processes and some vitamins, trace elements as well as phytochemicals have been pointed out. In addition to a proper diet as well as a medical therapy, supplementation of vitamins A, B6, B9, B12, C, D, E and zinc, copper, selenium may be beneficial for both prevention and treatment of viral infections including this new extraordinary coronavirus disease. The investigations on phytochemicals are also underway. In individuals with a powerful immune system, the recovery from this disease is either without symptoms or with a mild clinical picture. Therefore, it is plausible to apply natural integrative approaches comprising some vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals as preventive measures or as supplements in addition to the present medical treatment. This approach will favor the enhancement of the immune system. Such an integrative treatment reduces morbidity and mortality rates in patients, who have been contaminated with this virus. Micronutrients, within the scope of immune system, may be conceivable as the expedient to find some solutions for the prevention and/or treatment of this disease.

COVID-19 ile Mücadelede Tıbbi Tedaviye ek olarak İmmün Sistemin Güçlendirilmesi: Mikrobesinlerin Önemi

Koronavirüs 2019’lu hastalarda immün cevapların düzenlenmesi bozulmaktadır. Azalmış T hücreleri, doğal öldürücü hücreler, monositler/makrofajlar ve artmış proinflamatuvar sitokinler gözlenmektedir. Vücudun bağışıklık durumu beslenmeden büyük ölçüde etkilenir. Mikrobesinler, makrobesinlerin optimum performansı için gereklidir. Vitamin ve eser element eksiklikleri sırasında genel olarak immün cevaplar değişir. Bu da enfeksiyonlara eğilimin artmasına yol açar. Mikrobesin desteği genellikle birçok bozulmuş immün cevabın geriye çevrilmesini sağlar. Bu çalışmada, immün işleyişin düzenlenmesi ile bazı vitamin, eser element ve fitokimyasallar arasındaki yakın beraberliklere dikkat çekilmiştir. Uygun bir diyetin yanısıra tıbbı tedaviye ek olarak A, B6, B9, B12, C, D, E vitaminleri ile çinko, bakır, selenyum destekleri bu yeni sıradışı koronavirüs hastalığını da içine alan viral enfeksiyonların önlenmesi ve tedavisi için yararlı olabilir. Fitokimyasallar ile ilgili çalışmalar da sürdürülmektedir. Güçlü bir immün sistemi olan hastalarda iyileşme ya semptomsuz ya da hafif bir klinik tablo beraberliğinde gerçekleşmektedir. Bu nedenle, uygulanmakta olan tıbbi tedaviye ek olarak ya da koruyucu önlem olarak, vitaminleri, mineralleri ve fitokimyasalları da içine alan doğal bütünleyici yaklaşımların uygulanması kabul edilebilir. Bu yaklaşım immün sistemin iyileştirilmesine yardımcı olacaktır. Bu tip bir bütünleyici tedavi, bu virüs ile kontamine olmuş hastalarda morbidite ve mortalite oranlarını önemli ölçüde azaltır. Mikrobesinler, immün sistem kapsamında, bu hastalığın önlenmesi ve/veya tedavisi için bazı çözümler bulunması konusunda önlem olarak düşünülebilir.

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