Influence of exercise and vitamin D on the immune system against Covid-19: an integrative review of current literature

• Published in: Molecular and cellular biochemistry Vol. 477; no. 6; pp. 1725 - 1737
• Main Authors: Bizuti, Matheus Ribeiro, Starck, Édina, da Silva Fagundes, Kimberly Kamila, Puhle, Josiano Guilherme, Lima, Lucas Medeiros, de Oliveira, Natan Rodrigues, de Sousa Silva, Guilherme Vinicio, Silva, Débora Tavares Resende e
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-06-2022; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Alfacalcidol; Analysis; B cells; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Calcifediol; Calciferol; Cardiology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Cytokine storm; Cytokines; Development and progression; Dietary supplements; Diseases; Environmental factors; Exercise; Genetics; Global health; Health aspects; IL-1β; Immune response; Immune system; Infections; Infectious diseases; Inflammation; Interleukin 10; Interleukin 4; Interleukin 6; Life Sciences; Literature reviews; Lung diseases; Maintenance; Medical Biochemistry; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Microorganisms; Morbidity; Mortality; Neurophysiology; Nutritional status; Oncology; Pandemics; Physical activity; Physical exercise; Physical fitness; Physical training; Public health; Respiratory diseases; Severe acute respiratory syndrome; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Strengthening; Tumor necrosis factor-α; Viral diseases; Viral infections; Virus diseases; Vitamin D; Vitamin deficiency; Physical exercise; Covid-19; Vitamin D; Cytokine storm; Immune system
• ISSN: 0300-8177; 1573-4919
• DOI: 10.1007/s11010-022-04402-7

Respiratory infections of viral origin have become the leading cause of infectious diseases in the world. In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19). The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus has challenged the entire global health system, since Covid-19 has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The immune response to the virus depends on factors such as age, genetics, nutritional status, physical status, as well as environmental factors. Despite scientific advances, so far, there is still no specific therapy for the disease. Thus, this study aims to analyze the contribution of physical exercise and maintenance and/or supplementation of vitamin D to the strengthening of the immune system against viral infections, among them, Covid-19. Regular practice of moderate-intensity physical activity is responsible for promoting a reduction in the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β), as well as triggering the increase in the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). In addition, hypovitaminosis D predisposes to the development of chronic diseases and infections. Therefore, in patients affected by Covid-19, the maintenance of vitamin D levels contributes significantly to the 0prevention of the cytokine storm. Thus, the association between maintaining vitamin D levels and performing moderate-intensity physical exercise is responsible for strengthening the immune system and, therefore, triggering a defense mechanism against infections by intracellular microorganisms, in which SARS -CoV-2.