Nutrients in prevention, treatment, and management of viral infections; special focus on Coronavirus

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Nutrients in prevention, treatment, and management of viral infections; special focus on Coronavirus

BourBour et al., 2023 | Arch Physiol Biochem | Systematic Review

Citation

BourBour Fatemeh, Mirzaei Dahka Samaneh, ... Doaei Saied. Nutrients in prevention, treatment, and management of viral infections; special focus on Coronavirus. Arch Physiol Biochem. 2023-Feb;129(1):16-25. doi:10.1080/13813455.2020.1791188

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic caused by coronavirus with mild to severe respiratory symptoms. This paper aimed to investigate the effect of nutrients on the immune system and their possible roles in the prevention, treatment, and management of COVID-19 in adults. METHODS: This Systematic review was designed based on the guideline of the Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA). The articles that focussed on nutrition, immune system, viral infection, and coronaviruses were collected by searching databases for both published papers and accepted manuscripts from 1990 to 2020. Irrelevant papers and articles without English abstract were excluded from the review process. RESULTS: Some nutrients are actively involved in the proper functioning and strengthening of the human immune system against viral infections including dietary protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, iron, zinc, and selenium. Few studies were done on the effect of dietary components on prevention of COVID-19, but supplementation with these nutrients may be effective in improving the health status of patients with viral infections. CONCLUSION: Following a balanced diet and supplementation with proper nutrients may play a vital role in prevention, treatment, and management of COVID-19. However, further clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings and presenting the strong recommendations against this pandemic.

Key Findings

Some nutrients are actively involved in the proper functioning and strengthening of the human immune system against viral infections including dietary protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, iron, zinc, and selenium. Few studies were done on the effect of dietary components on prevention of COVID-19, but supplementation with these nutrients may be effective in improving the health status of patients with viral infections.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population viral infections
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Humans
  • COVID-19
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Virus Diseases
  • Vitamins
  • Nutrients

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Systematic Review, Journal Article
  • Vertical: vitamin-a

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09