The prognostic role of micronutrient status and supplements in COVID-19 outcomes: A systematic review

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology Vol. 162; p. 112901
• Main Authors: Pechlivanidou, Evmorfia, Vlachakis, Dimitrios, Tsarouhas, Konstantinos, Panidis, Dimitris, Tsitsimpikou, Christina, Darviri, Christina, Kouretas, Dimitrios, Bacopoulou, Flora
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-04-2022
• Subjects: Coronavirus; COVID-19; Micronutrients; Pandemic; Supplements; Vitamin; COVID-19; Micronutrients; Pandemic; Coronavirus; Supplements; Vitamin
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.112901

Micronutrients constitute an adjuvant treatment for respiratory viral infections. Since there is no effective antiviral therapy for COVID-19 yet, adjuvant intervention for the survival of critically ill patients may be significant. Search of the PubMed, CINAHL and Cochrane databases was carried out to find human studies investigating the prognostic role of micronutrient status and the effects of micronutrient supplementation intervention in COVID-19 outcomes of adult patients. Patients with certain comorbidities (diabetes mellitus type 2, obesity, renal failure, liver dysfunction etc.) or pregnant women were excluded. 31 studies (27 observational studies and 4 clinical trials) spanning the years 2020–2021, pertaining to 8624 COVID-19 patients (mean age±SD, 61 ± 9 years) were included in this systematic review. Few studies provided direct evidence on the association of serum levels of vitamin D, calcium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus and selenium to patients' survival or death. Vitamin D and calcium were the most studied micronutrients and those with a probable promising favorable impact on patients. This review highlights the importance of a balanced nutritional status for a favorable outcome in COVID-19. Micronutrients’ deficiency on admission to hospital seems to be related to a high risk for ICU admission, intubation and even death. Nevertheless, evidence for intervention remains unclear.
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•Micronutrients constitute an effective adjuvant co-therapy for viral infections.•Patients' micronutrient status is related to the course and outcome of COVID-19.•Most studied are vitamin D and calcium, with a probable favorable impact.•Individuals should maintain a balanced nutritional status to overcome COVID-19.