Evidence that maintaining optimal nutrition status for well-functioning immune system might promote recovery for mild COVID-19 patients

Abstract

COVID-19 is a viral infectious disease caused by SARS-COV2. Its clinical signs and symptoms are on a broad spectrum ranging from asymptomatic to severe complications like multi-organ failure, thromboembolism, and severe pneumonia with respiratory failure. Worse outcomes and higher mortality rates have been reported in the elderly, people with co-morbidities, and malnourished individuals. Nutrition is fundamental to good health and immune function. It forms an integral component of treatment modalities for various acute and chronic diseases, especially where a causative treatment is not yet recognized. Taking into consideration the magnitude of demands this pandemic has posed on hospital resources, an orderly assessment of nutritional status and body composition may not be possible for critically ill and/or for patients with mild-moderate symptoms who are managing their illness at home. Adequate intake of various macro and micro-nutrients--energy, protein, fat, vitamins--A, B, C, D, E and minerals--iron, selenium, zinc, and copper, along with supportive health practices like hydration, meal consistency, frequency of meal consumption and physical activity, often ameliorate respiratory infections, in part by modulating the immune response. Though at present there is a lack of well-defined nutrition-based guidelines for COVID-19 patient care, this paper brings forward the existing relevant evidence base for caregivers and patients to use as a reference/guide.