Micronutrients and Immune Function in the Management of COVID-19 Infections

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents a significant global public health threat, with heightened morbidity and mortality observed among immunocompromised populations due to their impaired immune responsiveness and increased susceptibility to severe infection. Vitamins A, C, D, E, and the B-complex vitamins, as well as zinc, selenium, magnesium, and copper, are micronutrients needed to support a proper immune response against viral infections. This study aims to highlight the role of these micronutrients in modulating immune responses and their potential contributions to the prevention, management, and recovery from COVID-19. Methods: In this study, Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect were utilized for the literature search. Articles on human research in English that focused on the immunological or clinical significance of micronutrients in viral infections, specifically COVID-19, were considered. Articles with poor methodological clarity, non-human studies, duplicates, editorials, and articles that were not clear on the methods used were excluded. Results: The evidence reviewed indicates that restricted diets due to food allergies lead to micronutrient deficiencies, which are associated with increased susceptibility to infections and worse COVID-19 outcomes. Increased micronutrient intake or supplementation was associated with a better immune phenotype, clinical recovery, and lower disease severity. Discussion: The positive impact of micronutrients is explained by the fact that they play the immune- regulating, antioxidant defense, inflammatory control, and antiviral defense functions. A lack of them can impair the immune system and accelerate disease progression in COVID-19. Conclusion: Properly balanced consumption of micronutrients can be an effective complement to common treatments to enhance the immune system, hasten recovery, and even reduce the severity of COVID-19.