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The supplements containing vitamins C and D and other micronutrients, sometimes in amounts exceeding those recommended by health authorities levels, could be a safe, effective and low cost to help with the immune system fight the coronavirus Covid-19 and other acute diseases of the respiratory tract, according to American research.

The findings, which have been published in the journal Nutrients , have been led by researcher Adrian Gombart of the Linus Pauling Institute at OSU, along with collaborators from the University of Southampton (UK), the University of Otago (New Zealand) and the University Medical Center (Netherlands). These experts have noted that public health officials should issue a clear set of nutritional recommendations to complement messages about the role of handwashing and vaccines in preventing the spread of infection.

"Across the world, acute respiratory tract infections kill more than 2.5 million people each year. Meanwhile, there is a wealth of data showing the role that good nutrition plays in supporting the immune system . As a society, we must do a better job of conveying that message along with other important and more common messages, "said Gombart, professor of biochemistry and biophysics at the OSU School of Science and principal investigator at the Linus Pauling Institute.

Specific vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids have key roles to play in helping your immune system. In particular, vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish, docosahexaenoic acid, also known as DHA, are critical to immune function.

"The role that vitamins C and D play in immunity is particularly well known. Vitamin C has functions in various aspects of immunity, including the growth and function of immune cells and the production of antibodies. Vitamin D receptors immune cells also affect their function. This means that vitamin D profoundly influences their response to infections, "says the expert.

"The problem is that people just don't eat enough of these nutrients. This could destroy their resistance to infection. As a result, we will see an increase in disease and all the additional burdens that increase brings," he adds.

Higher doses than recommended

That's why researchers demand not just a daily multivitamin, but doses of 200 milligrams or more of vitamin C (higher than the suggested federal guidelines of 75 milligrams for men and 50 for women) and 2,000 international units of vitamin D, in place from 400 to 800 according to age.

The stakes are huge, says Gombart. Every year, the flu alone hospitalizes millions and kills several hundred thousand worldwide. "A number of standard public health practices have been developed to help limit the spread and impact of respiratory viruses: wash your hands regularly, avoid those showing symptoms of infection, and cover your cough," says Gombart.

"And for certain viruses like the flu, there are annual vaccination campaigns. There is no doubt that vaccines, when available, can be effective, but they are not infallible," says the expert, who emphasizes that current public health practices they are important and effective but they need complementary strategies. A nutritional focus on the immune system could help minimize the impact of many types of infections.

"The current situation with Covid-19 and the number of people dying from other respiratory infections make it clear that we are not doing enough. We highly recommend that public health officials include nutritional strategies

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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