Patient Nutrition and Probiotic Therapy in COVID-19: What Do We Know in 2021?

Abstract

Background: The main nutritional consequences of COVID-19 include reduced food intake, hypercatabolism, and rapid muscle wasting. Some studies showed that malnutrition is a significant problem among patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection, and the outcome of patients with SARS-CoV-2 is strongly associated with their nutritional status. The purpose of this study was to collect useful information about the possible elements of nutritional and probiotic therapy in patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Methods: A narrative review of the literature, including studies published up to 13 September 2021. Results: Probiotics may support patients by inhibiting the ACE2 receptor, i.e., the passage of the virus into the cell, and may also be effective in suppressing the immune response caused by the proinflammatory cytokine cascade. In patients’ diet, it is crucial to ensure an adequate intake of micronutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids (at 2–4 g/d), selenium (300–450 μg/d) and zinc (30–50 mg/d), and vitamins A (900–700 µg/d), E (135 mg/d), D (20,000–50,000 IU), C (1–2 g/d), B6, and B12. Moreover, the daily calorie intake should amount to ≥1500–2000 with 75–100 g of protein. Conclusion: In conclusion, the treatment of gut dysbiosis involving an adequate intake of prebiotic dietary fiber and probiotics could turn out to be an immensely helpful instrument for immunomodulation, both in COVID-19 patients and prophylactically in individuals with no history of infection.

The Role of Nutrients in Prevention, Treatment and Post-Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19)

“…COVID-19 patients, especially hospitalized ones, show strong consequences, such as hypermetabolism and muscle catabolism, due to a marked systemic inflammation, with a reduction in food intake and therefore malnutrition. Some studies show that the outcome of COVID-19 patients is correlated with their nutritional status [ 46 , 47 ].…”

Current Status of Probiotics as Supplements in the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases

“…Indian researchers searched for probiotic produced bacteriocins that could block the ACE2 site by calculating molecular docking using bacteriocin metabolites produced by different probiotic species ( Anwar et al., 2020 ). The treatment of dysbiosis could turn out to be helpful for immunomodulation, and probiotics may support patients by inhibiting the ACE2 receptor, i.e., the passage of the virus into the cell, and may also be effective in suppressing the immune response caused by the pro-inflammatory cytokine cascade ( Hawryłkowicz et al., 2021 ).…”

Nutrition as Personalized Medicine against SARS-CoV-2 Infections: Clinical and Oncological Options with a Specific Female Groups Overview

“…Several studies have analyzed the nutritional status and mortality among cancer patients diagnosed with COVID-19, demonstrating that some immune inflammatory parameters such as the number of lymphocytes could be associated with lower survival. Among other factors, being overweight/obese contributes to the overproduction of proinflammatory IL-6 and reduces cytotoxicity of Natural Killer cells [ 120 ]. The assessment of nutritional status in these patients should also take into consideration the possibility of sarcopenia development.…”