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Large differences in COVID‐19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage were associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS‐CoV‐2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS‐Cov‐2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT 1 R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistanceas well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID‐19. The nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block the AT 1 R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are given: Kimchi in Korea, westernized foods and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof‐of‐concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2‐associated antioxidant effects helpful in mitigating COVID‐19 severity.

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The Latin American Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (SLAAI) conducted a systematic search in the Medline and LILACS' database in order to get articles linked to 10 current questions about dermatitis. The assessment of the quality of the evidence and the strength of the recommendations was made through the GRADE system. The completeness and transparency of the recommendations for this clinical guide were assessed with the AGREE Reports Verification Checklist. The final document was shared with physicians, allergists, dermatologists, and pediatricians, and with patients and academic institutions such as universities and medical scientific societies for external assessment. According to the review, clinical scales should be used to measure the severity of the dermatitis, and some interventions such as the use of probiotics may benefit the patient; nevertheless, more studies are required before this management option can be used in the everyday practice. Other interventions such as dietary restrictions and the use of antihistamines seem to be well-founded only in particular cases and they should not be a general recommendation for all patients. This practical guide presents recommendations for the treatment of atopic dermatitis; these recommendations can be helpful for medical staff, patients, and health systems.

Over the last years, there is growing evidence that microorganisms are involved in the maintenance of our health and are related to various diseases, both intestinal and extraintestinal. Changes in the gut microbiota appears to be a key element in the pathogenesis of hepatic and gastrointestinal disorders, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, liver cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and Clostridium difficile - associated diarrhea. In 2019, the Brazilian Society of Hepatology (SBH) in cooperation with the Brazilian Nucleus for the Study of Helicobacter Pylori and Microbiota (NBEHPM), and Brazilian Federation of Gastroenterology (FBG) sponsored a joint meeting on gut microbiota and the use of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics in gastrointestinal and liver diseases. This paper summarizes the proceedings of the aforementioned meeting. It is intended to provide practical information about this topic, addressing the latest discoveries and indicating areas for future studies.