The Role of Nutrition in COVID-19 Susceptibility and Severity of Disease: A Systematic Review.

James, Philip T, Ali, Zakari, Armitage, Andrew E, Bonell, Ana, Cerami, Carla, Drakesmith, Hal, Jobe, Modou, Jones, Kerry S, Liew, Zara, Moore, Sophie E, Morales-Berstein, Fernanda, Nabwera, Helen, Nadjm, Behzad, Pasricha, Sant-Rayn, Scheelbeek, Pauline, Silver, Matt J, Teh, Megan R and Prentice, Andrew M (2021) 'The Role of Nutrition in COVID-19 Susceptibility and Severity of Disease: A Systematic Review.'. The Journal of Nutrition, Vol 151, Issue 7, pp. 1854-1878.

Text Nutrition-COVID19-review - HNabwera.docx - Accepted Version Download (462kB)

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Many nutrients have powerful immunomodulatory actions with the potential to alter susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, progression to symptoms, likelihood of severe disease, and survival.

OBJECTIVE
The aim was to review the latest evidence on how malnutrition across all its forms (under- and overnutrition and micronutrient status) may influence both susceptibility to, and progression of, COVID-19.

METHODS
We synthesized information on 13 nutrition-related components and their potential interactions with COVID-19: overweight, obesity, and diabetes; protein-energy malnutrition; anemia; vitamins A, C, D, and E; PUFAs; iron; selenium; zinc; antioxidants; and nutritional support. For each section we provide: 1) a landscape review of pertinent material; 2) a systematic search of the literature in PubMed and EMBASE databases, including a wide range of preprint servers; and 3) a screen of 6 clinical trial registries. All original research was considered, without restriction to study design, and included if it covered: 1) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (CoV) 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Middle East respiratory syndrome CoV (MERS-CoV), or SARS-CoV viruses and 2) disease susceptibility or 3) disease progression, and 4) the nutritional component of interest. Searches took place between 16 May and 11 August 2020.

RESULTS
Across the 13 searches, 2732 articles from PubMed and EMBASE, 4164 articles from the preprint servers, and 433 trials were returned. In the final narrative synthesis, we include 22 published articles, 38 preprint articles, and 79 trials.

CONCLUSIONS
Currently there is limited evidence that high-dose supplements of micronutrients will either prevent severe disease or speed up recovery. However, results of clinical trials are eagerly awaited. Given the known impacts of all forms of malnutrition on the immune system, public health strategies to reduce micronutrient deficiencies and undernutrition remain of critical importance. Furthermore, there is strong evidence that prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes will reduce the risk of serious COVID-19 outcomes. This review is registered at PROSPERO as CRD42020186194.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	W General Medicine. Health Professions > W 20.5 Biomedical research WC Communicable Diseases > Virus Diseases > Viral Respiratory Tract Infections. Respirovirus Infections > WC 505 Viral respiratory tract infections WD Disorders of Systemic, Metabolic or Environmental Origin, etc > Nutrition Disorders > WD 100 General works
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > Clinical Sciences Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxab059
Depositing User:	Julie Franco
Date Deposited:	08 Jun 2021 11:03
Last Modified:	19 May 2022 01:02
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/18057

Statistics

View details

Actions (login required)

Edit Item