The Role of Nutrition During the COVID-19 Pandemic: What We Know

Title:The Role of Nutrition During the COVID-19 Pandemic: What We Know

Volume: 21 Issue: 11

Author(s): Elsa Vitale, Manrico Magrone, Vito Galatola and Thea Magrone*

Affiliation:

• Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, School of Medicine, Bari, Bari,Italy

Keywords: Immune system, nutrition, patients, prevention, SARS-CoV-2, mediterranean diet.

Abstract:

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) (COVID-19) infection provokes serious clinical consequences, which in many situations need hospitalization of the patient in Intensive Care Unit. Additionally, SARS-COV-2 infection can indirectly cause deaths in aged individuals as well as in patients with co-morbidities.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of nutrition during the COVID-19 pandemic in both hospitalized patients and the general population.

Methods: Authors searched Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Google, and Institutional websites for medical subheadings terms and free full text referred to “SARS-CoV-2”, COVID-19”, “nutrition”, “immune system”, before 31st July 2020.

Results: A total of 20 articles describing different nutritional interventions for patients with SARS-- CoV-2 infection focusing on the general population have been included. Of these, 6 studies are dealing with nutritional interventions for patients with SARS-CoV2 infection. The others are focalized on a potential beneficial effect exerted by a Mediterranean diet (MD), related to the supplementation of micronutrients and vitamins.

Conclusion: A correct lifestyle, including the consumption of nutrients largely present in MD, may be beneficial for preventing or improving prognosis in the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Cite this article as:

Vitale Elsa, Magrone Manrico, Galatola Vito and Magrone Thea *, The Role of Nutrition During the COVID-19 Pandemic: What We Know, Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets 2021; 21 (11) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871530321666210114154401