The Role of Diet and Supplementation of Natural Products in COVID-19 Prevention
Authors: Alain Menzel
Amin Gasmi
Salvatore Chirumbolo
Sadaf Noor
Massimiliano Peana
Maryam Dadar
Geir Bjørklund
Journal: Biological Trace Element Research (2021)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: COVID-19; Dietary habits; Immunomodulation; Natural products; Nutrients
Affiliations: Société Francophone de Nutrithérapie et de Nutrigénétique Appliquée, Villeurbanne, France., Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy., CONEM Scientific Secretary, Verona, Italy., Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy., Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan., Laboratoires Réunis, Junglinster, Luxembourg., Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran., Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (CONEM), Toften 24, 8610, Mo i Rana, Norway. .

Abstract:  Recently, a discussion has begun on the global management strategy against COVID-19 based on the hypothesis that individuals' macro- and micronutrient status combined with antiviral drugs and herbs can be an ally against the infection. The hypothesis is that people's nutritional and oxidative scavenging capacity may provide fundamental data to predict severe and acute pulmonary distress following SARS-Cov2 infection. Consequently, the scientific community has addressed the role of balanced diets, nutritional supplements, and micronutrients, including folk herbal formulations, in reducing hospitalization and the severity of pulmonary impact in COVID-19 by preventing the most serious forms of the infection. This led to an animated debate on the potential effectiveness of some vitamins, micronutrients, and traditional Chinese medicine in preventing COVID-19, with some authors convinced that plant extracts could act oppositely, exacerbating the effect of the infection. While current research is still far to assess the suggestions and issues raised in this short communication, it is undoubtedly true that determining an individual's current metabolic status, including macro- and micronutrients, is an essential factor in defining any individuals' deficiencies, which will need to be addressed urgently through a proper diet, specific personalized nutritional supplementation, and lifestyle changes. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
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 Erratum We were notified by PUBPEER last week that there was a duplicate image in our publication in Clinical Cancer Research entitled u201cThe Pivotal Role of Integrin u03b21 in Metastasis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomau201d (Clin Cancer Res 2012;18:4589-99). We found the Non-Met image was misplaced. Though it does not affect the overall results, we sincerely apologize for this careless mistake and any inconvenience caused to CCR. The correct image is attached in a separate E-mail now. We have notified the journal. Please let us know if any further action is required. Sincerely, Zhuo G. Chen, Ph.D. Corresponding Author ,