Strengthening the immunity of the Swiss population with micronutrients: A narrative review and call for action

Mette M. Berger; Isabelle Herter-Aeberli; Michael B. Zimmermann; Jorg Spieldenner; Manfred Eggersdorfer

doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.03.012

Strengthening the immunity of the Swiss population with micronutrients: A narrative review and call for action

Mette M. Berger^*
, Isabelle Herter-Aeberli
, Michael B. Zimmermann
, Jorg Spieldenner
, Manfred Eggersdorfer

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

193 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: The enormous health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has refocused attention on measures to optimize immune function and vaccine response. Dietary deficiencies of micronutrients can weaken adaptive immunity. The aim of this review was to examine links between micronutrients, immune function and COVID-19 infection, with a focus on nutritional risks in subgroups of the Swiss population.

Methods: Scoping review on the associations between selected micronutrients (vitamins D and C, iron, selenium, zinc, and n-3 PUFAs) and immunity, with particular reference to the Swiss population. These nutrients were chosen because previous EFSA reviews have concluded they play a key role in immunity.

Results: The review discusses the available knowledge on links between sufficient nutrient status, optimal immune function, and prevention of respiratory tract infections. Because of the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, controlled intervention studies of micronutrients in the context of COVID-19 infection are now underway, but evidence is not yet available to draw conclusions. The anti-inflammatory properties of n-3 PUFAs are well established. In Switzerland, several subgroups of the population are at clear risk of nutrient deficiencies; e.g., older adults, multiple comorbidities, obesity, pregnancy, and institutionalized. Low intakes of n-3 PUFA are present in a large proportion of the population.

Conclusion: There are clear and strong relationships between micronutrient and n-3 PUFA status and immune function, and subgroups of the Swiss population are at risk for deficient intakes. Therefore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a complement to a healthy and balanced diet, it may be prudent to consider supplementation with a combination of moderate doses of Vitamins C and D, as well as of Se, Zn and n-3 PUFA, in risk groups. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	39-48
Number of pages	10
Journal	Clinical Nutrition ESPEN
Volume	43
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.03.012
Publication status	Published - Jun-2021

Keywords

Nutrition
Iron
Selenium
Zinc n-3 PUFA
Vitamin D
Deficiency
Immunity
VITAMIN-D SUPPLEMENTATION
DIETARY SELENIUM
RESPIRATORY-INFECTIONS
CONTROLLED-TRIAL
DEFICIENCY
COVID-19
ZINC
ANTIOXIDANT
ADULTS
SERUM

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Strengthening the immunity of the Swiss population with micronutrientsFinal publisher's version, 632 KBLicence: CC BY

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@article{c5add8eba34b439c8719eaa3c867c957,

title = "Strengthening the immunity of the Swiss population with micronutrients: A narrative review and call for action",

abstract = "Background: The enormous health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has refocused attention on measures to optimize immune function and vaccine response. Dietary deficiencies of micronutrients can weaken adaptive immunity. The aim of this review was to examine links between micronutrients, immune function and COVID-19 infection, with a focus on nutritional risks in subgroups of the Swiss population.Methods: Scoping review on the associations between selected micronutrients (vitamins D and C, iron, selenium, zinc, and n-3 PUFAs) and immunity, with particular reference to the Swiss population. These nutrients were chosen because previous EFSA reviews have concluded they play a key role in immunity.Results: The review discusses the available knowledge on links between sufficient nutrient status, optimal immune function, and prevention of respiratory tract infections. Because of the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, controlled intervention studies of micronutrients in the context of COVID-19 infection are now underway, but evidence is not yet available to draw conclusions. The anti-inflammatory properties of n-3 PUFAs are well established. In Switzerland, several subgroups of the population are at clear risk of nutrient deficiencies; e.g., older adults, multiple comorbidities, obesity, pregnancy, and institutionalized. Low intakes of n-3 PUFA are present in a large proportion of the population.Conclusion: There are clear and strong relationships between micronutrient and n-3 PUFA status and immune function, and subgroups of the Swiss population are at risk for deficient intakes. Therefore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a complement to a healthy and balanced diet, it may be prudent to consider supplementation with a combination of moderate doses of Vitamins C and D, as well as of Se, Zn and n-3 PUFA, in risk groups. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism.",

keywords = "Nutrition, Iron, Selenium, Zinc n-3 PUFA, Vitamin D, Deficiency, Immunity, VITAMIN-D SUPPLEMENTATION, DIETARY SELENIUM, RESPIRATORY-INFECTIONS, CONTROLLED-TRIAL, DEFICIENCY, COVID-19, ZINC, ANTIOXIDANT, ADULTS, SERUM",

author = "Berger, \{Mette M.\} and Isabelle Herter-Aeberli and Zimmermann, \{Michael B.\} and Jorg Spieldenner and Manfred Eggersdorfer",

year = "2021",

month = jun,

doi = "10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.03.012",

language = "English",

volume = "43",

pages = "39--48",

journal = "Clinical Nutrition ESPEN ",

issn = "2405-4577",

publisher = "ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Strengthening the immunity of the Swiss population with micronutrients

T2 - A narrative review and call for action

AU - Berger, Mette M.

AU - Herter-Aeberli, Isabelle

AU - Zimmermann, Michael B.

AU - Spieldenner, Jorg

AU - Eggersdorfer, Manfred

PY - 2021/6

Y1 - 2021/6

N2 - Background: The enormous health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has refocused attention on measures to optimize immune function and vaccine response. Dietary deficiencies of micronutrients can weaken adaptive immunity. The aim of this review was to examine links between micronutrients, immune function and COVID-19 infection, with a focus on nutritional risks in subgroups of the Swiss population.Methods: Scoping review on the associations between selected micronutrients (vitamins D and C, iron, selenium, zinc, and n-3 PUFAs) and immunity, with particular reference to the Swiss population. These nutrients were chosen because previous EFSA reviews have concluded they play a key role in immunity.Results: The review discusses the available knowledge on links between sufficient nutrient status, optimal immune function, and prevention of respiratory tract infections. Because of the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, controlled intervention studies of micronutrients in the context of COVID-19 infection are now underway, but evidence is not yet available to draw conclusions. The anti-inflammatory properties of n-3 PUFAs are well established. In Switzerland, several subgroups of the population are at clear risk of nutrient deficiencies; e.g., older adults, multiple comorbidities, obesity, pregnancy, and institutionalized. Low intakes of n-3 PUFA are present in a large proportion of the population.Conclusion: There are clear and strong relationships between micronutrient and n-3 PUFA status and immune function, and subgroups of the Swiss population are at risk for deficient intakes. Therefore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a complement to a healthy and balanced diet, it may be prudent to consider supplementation with a combination of moderate doses of Vitamins C and D, as well as of Se, Zn and n-3 PUFA, in risk groups. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism.

AB - Background: The enormous health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has refocused attention on measures to optimize immune function and vaccine response. Dietary deficiencies of micronutrients can weaken adaptive immunity. The aim of this review was to examine links between micronutrients, immune function and COVID-19 infection, with a focus on nutritional risks in subgroups of the Swiss population.Methods: Scoping review on the associations between selected micronutrients (vitamins D and C, iron, selenium, zinc, and n-3 PUFAs) and immunity, with particular reference to the Swiss population. These nutrients were chosen because previous EFSA reviews have concluded they play a key role in immunity.Results: The review discusses the available knowledge on links between sufficient nutrient status, optimal immune function, and prevention of respiratory tract infections. Because of the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, controlled intervention studies of micronutrients in the context of COVID-19 infection are now underway, but evidence is not yet available to draw conclusions. The anti-inflammatory properties of n-3 PUFAs are well established. In Switzerland, several subgroups of the population are at clear risk of nutrient deficiencies; e.g., older adults, multiple comorbidities, obesity, pregnancy, and institutionalized. Low intakes of n-3 PUFA are present in a large proportion of the population.Conclusion: There are clear and strong relationships between micronutrient and n-3 PUFA status and immune function, and subgroups of the Swiss population are at risk for deficient intakes. Therefore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a complement to a healthy and balanced diet, it may be prudent to consider supplementation with a combination of moderate doses of Vitamins C and D, as well as of Se, Zn and n-3 PUFA, in risk groups. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism.

KW - Nutrition

KW - Iron

KW - Selenium

KW - Zinc n-3 PUFA

KW - Vitamin D

KW - Deficiency

KW - Immunity

KW - VITAMIN-D SUPPLEMENTATION

KW - DIETARY SELENIUM

KW - RESPIRATORY-INFECTIONS

KW - CONTROLLED-TRIAL

KW - DEFICIENCY

KW - COVID-19

KW - ZINC

KW - ANTIOXIDANT

KW - ADULTS

KW - SERUM

U2 - 10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.03.012

DO - 10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.03.012

M3 - Review article

SN - 2405-4577

VL - 43

SP - 39

EP - 48

JO - Clinical Nutrition ESPEN

JF - Clinical Nutrition ESPEN

ER -

Strengthening the immunity of the Swiss population with micronutrients: A narrative review and call for action

Abstract

Keywords

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