The Effect of a Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement on Immune Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Fantacone, Mary L.; Lowry, Malcolm B.; Uesugi, Sandra L.; Michels, Alexander J.; Choi, Jaewoo; Leonard, Scott W.; Gombart, Sean K; Gombart, Jeffrey S; Bobe, Gerd; Gombart, Adrian F.

doi:10.3390/nu12082447

Cited by 31 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…255,272,274,275 By this means, micronutrient insufficiencies have been identified as an international public health concern. 258,276,277 A recent study by Darnton-Hill reported that selenium, iron, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, folic acid, copper, and zinc play an important role in improving the immune physiology and patient recovers earlier and decrease hospital stay among COVID-19 patients. 258 In support of that, several studies across the world advocated the importance of a balanced diet with relevant nutrients and trace elements as an extenuation approach to build robust immune physiology to fight back the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Section: Role Of Micronutrients Vitamins and Other Trace Elements Imentioning

confidence: 99%

The Implications of Zinc Therapy in Combating the COVID-19 Global Pandemic

Samad¹,

Sodunke²,

Abubakar³

et al. 2021

JIR

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The global pandemic from COVID-19 infection has generated significant public health concerns, both health-wise and economically. There is no specific pharmacological antiviral therapeutic option to date available for COVID-19 management. Also, there is an urgent need to discover effective medicines, prevention, and control methods because of the harsh death toll from this novel coronavirus infection. Acute respiratory tract infections, significantly lower respiratory tract infections, and pneumonia are the primary cause of millions of deaths worldwide. The role of micronutrients, including trace elements, boosted the human immune system and was well established. Several vitamins such as vitamin A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and folate; microelement including zinc, iron, selenium, magnesium, and copper; omega-3 fatty acids as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid plays essential physiological roles in promoting the immune system. Furthermore, zinc is an indispensable microelement essential for a thorough enzymatic physiological process. It also helps regulate gene-transcription such as DNA replication, RNA transcription, cell division, and cell activation in the human biological system. Subsequently, zinc, together with natural scavenger cells and neutrophils, are also involved in developing cells responsible for regulating nonspecific immunity. The modern food habit often promotes zinc deficiency; as such, quite a few COVID-19 patients presented to hospitals were frequently diagnosed as zinc deficient. Earlier studies documented that zinc deficiency predisposes patients to a viral infection such as herpes simplex, common cold, hepatitis C, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-1), the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) because of reducing antiviral immunity. This manuscript aimed to discuss the various roles played by zinc in the management of COVID-19 infection.

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Section: Role Of Micronutrients Vitamins and Other Trace Elements Imentioning

confidence: 99%

The Implications of Zinc Therapy in Combating the COVID-19 Global Pandemic

Samad¹,

Sodunke²,

Abubakar³

et al. 2021

JIR

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“…in a 3-month clinical trial of a MVMS containing eight vitamins and 5 minerals in older adults in Shanghai, China, Ren et al (2019) found the only status of zinc and vitamins B1, B12 and folate improved. A 12-wk randomized, placebo-controlled trial of a MVMS reported increases in the status of vitamin C and zinc but not vitamin D in healthy older adults (Fantacone et al 2020). The absence of change in the status of many of the nutrients formulated in an MVMS may be due to a variety of factors, including the nutrient dose, study duration, bioavailability, shallow doseresponse curve with adequacy or saturation at baseline, and, for minerals, limitations associated with plasma concentrations as a biomarker of whole body status (Wallace et al 2019).…”

Section: Mvms (N ¼ 35)mentioning

confidence: 98%

“…However, it is worthwhile considering the potential for these changes to increase the resilience against the risk of future untoward changes in their dietary intakes, nutrient status or health condition. Of direct relevance here is the demonstration of decreases in the length and severity of upper respiratory illnesses in a clinical trial of MVMS in healthy older adults presenting at baseline with normal ranges of vitamin and mineral status (Fantacone et al 2020). Drug treatments for cardiometabolic and gastrointestinal conditions are not curative and the potential for these and other new stresses, including the prescription of additional drugs, could precipitate micronutrient inadequacy or deficiency.…”

Section: Mvms (N ¼ 35)mentioning

confidence: 98%

The Effect of Multi-Vitamin/Multi-Mineral Supplementation on Nutritional Status in Older Adults Receiving Drug Therapies: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Chen

Rogers

McKay

et al. 2020

Journal of Dietary Supplements

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Polypharmacy regimens may increase the susceptibility of older adults to micronutrient inadequacy and deficiency via impairment of nutritional status. We hypothesized that a multi-vitamin-mineral supplement (MVMS) could improve nutritional status in older adults prescribed diuretics, metformin, and/or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, parallel clinical trial in which eligible subjects were instructed to consume either a MVMS or placebo for 16 wk. Fasting blood was collected at baseline, 8, and 16 wk and the status of selected vitamins and minerals determined. Thirty-five and 19 men and women aged 45-75 yrs in the in MVMS and placebo arms, respectively, completed the trial. The mean total number of medications among the three drug classes taken by participants did not differ between two groups. The status of vitamins B1, B12, C and folate and calcium, copper, magnesium and zinc at baseline were within normal ranges. The MVMS group had a greater change in nutrient status after 16 wk compared to the placebo group for serum folate (7.5 vs.-1.6 ng/mL, p < 0.0001), vitamin B12 (159.2 vs.-33.9 pg/mL, p ¼ 0.007), and plasma vitamin C (0.2 vs. 0.0 mg/dL, p ¼ 0.004). Other measured vitamins and minerals were not significantly changed during the intervention. In conclusion, the status of vitamins B12, C and folate improved with MVMS but remained within normal ranges in older adults taking diuretics, metformin, and/or PPIs.

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“…While there is limited data in Switzerland, it appears that dietary intake is low for vitamin C, vitamin D, iron, selenium, zinc, and n-3 PUFAs, as compared to D-A-CH nutritional recommendations. This is particularly concerning for the vulnerable elderly population, for which inadequate intakes have been reported in several studies [129,130]. The risk of micronutrient deficiencies is increased in older adults due to alterations of the gastro-intestinal tract which reduces the absorption capacity, as well as changes in nutritional habits [131,132].…”

Section: Summary Of Micronutrients At Risk In the Swiss Population And Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strengthening the immunity of the Swiss population with micronutrients: A narrative review and call for action

Berger¹,

Herter-Aeberli²,

Zimmermann³

et al. 2021

Clinical Nutrition ESPEN

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Background The enormous health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has refocused attention on measures to optimize immune function and vaccine response. Dietary deficiencies of micronutrients can weaken adaptive immunity. The aim of this review was to examine links between micronutrients, immune function and COVID-19 infection, with a focus on nutritional risks in subgroups of the Swiss population. Methods Scoping review on the associations between selected micronutrients (vitamins D and C, iron, selenium, zinc, and n-3 PUFAs) and immunity, with particular reference to the Swiss population. These nutrients were chosen because previous EFSA reviews have concluded they play a key role in immunity. Results The review discusses the available knowledge on links between sufficient nutrient status, optimal immune function, and prevention of respiratory tract infections. Because of the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, controlled intervention studies of micronutrients in the context of CIOVIUD-19 infection are now underway, but evidence is not yet available to draw conclusions. The anti-inflammatory properties of n-3 PUFAs are well established. In Switzerland, several subgroups of the population are at clear risk of nutrient deficiencies; e.g., older adults, multiple comorbidities, obesity, pregnancy, and institutionalized. Low intakes of n-3 PUFA are present in a large proportion of the population. Conclusion There are clear and strong relationships between micronutrient and n-3 PUFA status and immune function, and subgroups of the Swiss population are at risk for deficient intakes. Therefore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a complement to a healthy and balanced diet, it may be prudent to consider supplementation with moderate doses of Vitamins C and D, as well as of Se, Zn and n-3 PUFA, in risk groups.

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The Effect of a Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement on Immune Function in Healthy Older Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Cited by 31 publications

References 60 publications

The Implications of Zinc Therapy in Combating the COVID-19 Global Pandemic

The Implications of Zinc Therapy in Combating the COVID-19 Global Pandemic

The Effect of Multi-Vitamin/Multi-Mineral Supplementation on Nutritional Status in Older Adults Receiving Drug Therapies: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Strengthening the immunity of the Swiss population with micronutrients: A narrative review and call for action

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