Role of dietary supplement in viral infection with an outlook on corona virus disease-2019

Abstract

For prevention and management of viral and bacterial infections, balanced nutrition which can help in maintaining immunity is essential. An outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in December 2019 in Wuhan, China has posed significant threats to international health and the economy. In the lack of treatment for this virus, there is an immediate need to find alternative methods to control the prevalence of the disease. In the present review, by using free search engines providing biomedical and clinical literature (Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar) we have evaluated the possible benefits of some vitamins, trace elements and probiotics in viral infections. The immune response in various infections is very diverse. In conclusion, by examining the effect of micronutrients on the immune function, nutrition principles with vitamins, nutraceuticals and probiotics may be useful in possible prevention and management of viral infections and COVID-19.