Zinc nutrition as we enter endemic phase

Zinc and immune function: the biological basis of altered resistance to infectionUploaded 11-09-21https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9701160/Zinc is known to play a central role in the immune systemand zinc-deficient persons experience increased susceptibility to a variety of pathogensIt is clear that zinc affects multiple aspects of the immune systemZinc is crucial for normal development and function of cells mediating nonspecific immunity such as neutrophils and natural killer cellsZinc deficiency also affects development of acquired immunity, activation of T lymphocytes and B lymphocyte helpB lymphocyte development and antibody production, particularly immunoglobulin G, is compromisedThe macrophage, is adversely affected by zinc deficiencyZinc is needed by these key immunologic mediatorsBasic cellular functions such as DNA replicationRNA transcription, cell division, and cell activationhttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2020.01712/fullZinc deficiency results in altered numbers and dysfunction of all immune cellsSuboptimal zinc states have an increased risk for infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancerRisk groups for zinc deficiencyMalnutritionElderly and patients with various inflammatory and autoimmune diseasesMild zinc deficiency is largely sub-clinical,it is unnoticed in most peopleWorld Health OrganizationAssumes that at least one third of the world population is affected by zinc deficiencyZinc deficiency is responsible for 16% of all deep respiratory infections world-wideSupplementation, for which minimal to no side effects are known.Europe 10 to 20% zinc deficiencyhttps://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=https://www.phmk.es/i-d/suplementar-con-zinc-podria-reducir-la-mortalidad-en-el-paciente-de-covid-19&prev=search&pto=aueZinc Protects the Human Body From Entering of the VirusEssential for tissue barriers equipped with cilia and mucus, anti-microbial peptides like lysozymes and interferonsThe expression of tight junction proteins was found to be zinc-dependentMucociliar clearance of viruses is affected by zincPhysiological concentrations of zinc increase ciliary beat frequencyZinc-dependent alterations in gene expression by pneumocytesAssociations with interferonsZinc Directly Inhibits Viral ReplicationDirect antiviral effects of zinc have been demonstratedE.g. coronaviridae, picornavirus, papilloma virus, metapneumovirus, rhinovirus, herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, respiratory syncytial virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the hepatitis C virusIt was suggested that zinc can prevent fusion with the host membraneDecreases the viral polymerase functionBlocks viral particle releaseDestabilizes the viral envelopeZinc Balances the Immune Response During Infectious DiseasesHyper-inflammation, immune products including pro-inflammatory cytokinesMovement and over activation of immune cells to the lungsAcute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)Need of zinc for lymphocyte development and function and that zinc supplementation can reverse lymphopeniaZinc is indispensable in the signal cascade of the T cell receptor and as a second messengerZinc is required for B cell maturation and function Zinc Supplementation in Respiratory InfectionsA row of successful supplementation studies focusing on respiratory tract infectionIn most cases, prophylactic zinc supplementation was more effective than therapeutic proceedingsStudies showed reduced symptom severity, reduced frequency, and duration of the common cold after zinc administrationZinc supplementation of children in developing countriesReduced pneumonia-specific morality by 15%and 19% of pneumonia morbidity by 19%Risk Groups and Symptoms of COVID-19 and Zinc Deficiency Reveal a Large OverlapLow serum zinc levels ar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices