Malnutrition and Dietary Habits Alter the Immune System Which May Consequently Influence SARS-CoV-2 Virulence: A Review

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 23; no. 5; p. 2654
• Main Authors: Foolchand, Ashmika, Ghazi, Terisha, Chuturgoon, Anil A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 28.02.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: ACE2; Alveoli; Amino acids; Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; Bacteria; Bronchopulmonary infection; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - immunology; COVID-19 - virology; Cytokine storm; diet; Digestive system; Digestive tract; Disease; Enzymes; Epithelial cells; Epithelium; Feeding Behavior; Gastrointestinal Microbiome - immunology; Glucose; gut microbiota; Health Status; Homeostasis; Humans; Immune response; Immune system; Immune System - immunology; Immunology; immunotoxicity; Infections; Inflammation; Intestinal microflora; Lungs; Malnutrition; Malnutrition - immunology; Metabolism; Metabolites; Microbiota; Microorganisms; Models, Immunological; Nutrition; Nutritional Status; Pandemics; Pathogens; Permeability; Review; SARS-CoV-2; SARS-CoV-2 - immunology; SARS-CoV-2 - pathogenicity; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Viral diseases; Viral infections; Virulence; Virulence - immunology; Viruses; malnutrition; immunotoxicity; SARS-CoV-2; nutrition; diet; gut microbiota
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052654

COVID-19, resulting from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is a major pandemic that the world is fighting. SARS-CoV-2 primarily causes lung infection by attaching to the ACE2 receptor on the alveolar epithelial cells. However, the ACE2 receptor is also present in intestinal epithelial cells, suggesting a link between nutrition, virulence and clinical outcomes of COVID-19. Respiratory viral infections perturb the gut microbiota. The gut microbiota is shaped by our diet; therefore, a healthy gut is important for optimal metabolism, immunology and protection of the host. Malnutrition causes diverse changes in the immune system by repressing immune responses and enhancing viral vulnerability. Thus, improving gut health with a high-quality, nutrient-filled diet will improve immunity against infections and diseases. This review emphasizes the significance of dietary choices and its subsequent effects on the immune system, which may potentially impact SARS-CoV-2 vulnerability.