The effect of vitamin A and its supplements on the infection of COVID-19 virus and strengthening the immune system: a narrative review study

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 MSc in Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Payame Noor University of Isfahan

2 Department of Microbiology, Falavarjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Abstract
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic disease is a 21st century disease with the common symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath is a major global threat to public health and causes a significant percentage of deaths worldwide. COVID-19 disease is spreading day by day and has affected most countries in the world so far. Strengthening the immune system is one of the most important ways to fight this disease and vitamins such as vitamin A are from the elements for immune system enhancement. Due to the special role of vitamin A in the body, its deficiency may lead to increasing the burden of infectious diseases, especially in high-risk groups. Vitamin A has a therapeutic role in diseases of the respiratory system and its mucosal cells. The present review study aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin A on the treatment of infectious diseases especially the respiratory disease caused by COVID-19 and strengthen of the immune system. In this narrative review article, databases, Google scholar, PubMed and SID were searched and sources were extracted from 1998 to 2020. In the present study, 41 articles and books were reviewed. The results of study showed that vitamin A deficiency during the day seems to weaken the body against viral infections such as COVID-19 and has a negative effect on strengthening the immune system. Consuming as much vitamin A can be effective on the inhibition of viral infections and have effects on acute respiratory diseases treatment including the infection caused by viruses such as COVID-19 and can strengthen the immune system. Therefore, suitable consumption of vitamin A is proposed, especially in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords


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