• Whitley Wichmann posted an update 1 year, 11 months ago

    selenium status has direct influence in regulation of numerous immune responses and related mechanisms; therefore, selenium supplementation may have effective role against diseases.In deficient state, the selenium supplements are a treatment option against viral diseases including COVID.Selenium supplementation has shown beneficial effects after influenza vaccination in developing immunity. The selenium deficiencies are widespread in many individuals around the globe and can be supplemented by proper diet and seleniumenriched food.The recommendations for selenium intake on daily basis range between g and g. Food sources of selenium include meat, cereals, milk, fishes, asparagus, mushrooms, garlic, giblets, bread, nuts, and seafoods. It is also involved in the production of immune cells, facilitation of cell signaling pathways, and regulation of responses related to innate and adaptive immune system. Zinc is also crucial for normal functioning of cells related to nonspecific immunity such as neutrophils and natural killer cells.Zinc is a basic structural component of hundreds of zincfinger transcription regulators of immune cells. Zinc is actively involved in mediating antiviral effects by improving immune responses and suppressing viral replications.Zinc has promising role in improving symptoms and pathologies associated with acute and chronic viral infections. In addition, macrophage function is adversely affected by zinc deficiency through the dysregulation in secretion of cytokines, phagocytosis, and intracellular killing activity. Zinc intake in diet on regular basis is necessary as some viruses have evolved mechanisms to modify zinc homeostasis that favor viral genome in rapid replication and their persistence. Zinc supplementation also has beneficial effects in reducing the symptoms and duration of common cold infection. Therefore, zinc intake is important as a protective measure against COVID to reduce the severe outcomes in patient and strengthen hosts immunity against infection.The most common food sources of zinc are poultry, beans, lentils, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, nuts, red meat, and shellfish.Magnesium is favorably involved in the synthesis of vitamin D and acts as cofactor in many enzymatic reactions involved in metabolism of vitamin D. Magnesium is bound to adenosine triphosphate for its biological activation to release energy which is critically important as our cells cannot function properly without this energy.Magnesium is also involved in the activation of immune responses against viral infections. Magnesium homeostasis is vital to strengthen resistance against infections in oldage people as they have compromised immune system. Magnesium deficiency results in impaired immunological processes.The deficiency of this mineral readily arises as it may be lost during sweating in hot countries and during strenuous physical activities; it cannot be synthesized by the human body and needs to be replaced via the diet. Foods rich in magnesium are dark chocolate, black beans, avocados, and whole grains.These mediators trigger antiinflammatory responses through oxygenated metabolites such as oxylipins. Diet has a critical role in the regulation of many intricate pathways related to immune system to defend the body and reduce vulnerability to infections.The nutrients and combination of nutrient affect the immune system to generate a complex array of protective mechanisms like modifications in the synthesis of signaling molecules, cell activation, and regulation of appropriate gene expression.