If we are to rely on COVID-19 vaccines to end the pandemic, we need to maximize its consequences. But one thing that can undermine its protection is nutritional deficiencies, especially in the elderly.
Older people have weaker immune responses and are known to respond less well than younger adults to many vaccines, including the seasonal flu vaccine. This is partly due to fragility, which can not be easily repaired, but also due to deficiencies of vitamins and minerals – known as micronutrients.
To prevent the immune system from infection or to provide good protection against a disease, it is necessary with a variety of micronutrients. This is probably just as true for COVID-19 as for other diseases. Since malnutrition is common in the elderly, increasing their vitamin and mineral levels may be a way to increase the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines before they are vaccinated.
Strengthening the immune system
As the European Food Safety Authority notes, vitamins A, B6, B9, B12, C and D and the minerals zinc, selenium, iron and copper are needed for the immune system to function.
Each of these micronutrients – as well as vitamin E – has been shown to play several roles in supporting immune function and reducing the risk of infection. Research has found that there is a link between a reduced immune system and low amounts of vitamins and minerals.
If the immune system is not properly fueled and harmed, it can lead to poor vaccine reactions. For example, a review of nine studies – along with 2,367 people – found that individuals with vitamin D deficiency were less well protected against two flu strains after being vaccinated compared to those who had adequate vitamin D levels.
In contrast, randomized controlled trials with micronutrients (such as vitamin B6, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium) have been shown to increase the ability of the immune system to respond to challenges in older people. Furthermore, it appears that the immune system needs vitamins C, D and E to work at its best, along with zinc and selenium which are more than can be achieved by diet alone. For example, selenium levels above those typically considered optimal are associated with a better cure rate for COVID-19.
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Trials in older people have also shown that vaccination responses are better after action has been taken to improve nutrition. For example, one study found that people aged 65 to 85 who ate five or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day showed a significantly stronger response to a pneumococcal vaccine than people of the same age who ate only two servings of fruits and vegetables. ate vegetables or less. .
Another study found that giving daily vitamin E supplements to people over 65 increases the amount of antibodies they produce after vaccination against hepatitis B and tetanus. And in people with selenium deficiency, daily supplements have been found to improve some aspects of their immune response to a live poliovirus vaccine and also reduce the emergence of mutant viral strains.
The latter result illustrates the fact that new virus variants are more likely to emerge in people whose bodies are “oxidatively stressed”. Oxidative stress can be caused by ingesting insufficient levels of antioxidant nutrients – for example selenium and vitamin E.
Time for boost supplements
It all becomes problematic when we know how common nutritional deficiencies are. A survey of nutrition across seven Western countries found that people over 60 were consistently deficient in selenium, zinc, iodine and copper.
Although this issue becomes excessive in the elderly, it is not just older age groups. The UK UK National Dietary and Nutrition Survey for 2019 has shown that a persistent deterioration in nutritional intake and chronic nutrient deficiencies is involved in supporting normal immune functions’ in age groups. The micronutrients that humans lack contain vitamins A, B12, C and D and the trace minerals zinc, selenium and copper.
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Such micronutrient deficiencies can limit the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines. Given this suggestion, we suggest that anyone at risk of nutritional deficiencies should take a supplement that contains the recommended daily administration of nutrients that are important for immune function, for a period of weeks before and after vaccination. People who can benefit from this are among the underweight elderly, people on restricted diets and certain BAME communities who are at risk of vitamin D deficiency.
It is possible to buy multivitamin and mineral supplements for three months for no more than £ 3.00. Ideally, such a supplement should be given free of charge by governments or health authorities to anyone over 70 years of age. If it is calculated at the average vaccination cost per person, it would offer a huge potential profit for only a modest investment.