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Suplementos alimentares na imunidade contra doenças infeciosas
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A interação entre a nutrição e o sistema imunitário é muito complexa. Micronutrientes específicos, incluindo vitaminas, minerais e ácidos gordos ómega-3 polinsaturados desempenham um papel fundamental e muitas vezes sinérgico a vários níveis. A falta de micronutrientes pode aumentar a suscetibilidade a infeções e comprometer o bom funcionamento das barreiras físicas e das células imunitárias. A função imunitária pode ser melhorada restaurando os micronutrientes deficientes aos níveis recomendados, aumentando assim a resistência à infeção e apoiando uma recuperação mais rápida. No entanto, nem sempre é possível alcançar um bom estado nutricional apenas com a dieta e é neste contexto que os suplementos alimentares podem tornar-se uma valiosa ferramenta. O surgimento de novas doenças infeciosas e de doenças antigas com novas propriedades patogénicas é um problema crescente em todo o mundo, tal como ilustrado pela recente e atual pandemia de COVID-19, que afeta o sistema imunitário produzindo uma resposta inflamatória sistémica. Baixos níveis de micronutrientes têm sido associados a resultados clínicos adversos durante infeções virais. A vitamina D tem a capacidade de reduzir a “tempestade de citocinas” que contribui para a patogénese do COVID-19 e a vitamina C apoia várias funções celulares do sistema imunitário inato e adaptativo. O intestino humano contém triliões de bactérias, a microbiota intestinal, com papéis reguladores no desenvolvimento imunológico, homeostase e metabolismo. Os probióticos podem ser usados para modular a microbiota e prevenir a colonização por agentes patogénicos ou promover a sua eliminação. Geralmente, o uso de suplementos alimentares não contribui significativamente para a exposição total a contaminantes nocivos. No entanto, exposições prolongadas e/ou combinadas a contaminantes de suplementos alimentares podem levar a efeitos prejudiciais à saúde humana. Além disso, como estes podem ser lançados no mercado sem o apoio de ensaios clínicos, existe uma escassez de estudos sobre as suas interações com outros medicamentos, sendo fundamental uma monitorização adicional de segurança. O objetivo desta revisão foi investigar se a suplementação com vitaminas C e D é benéfica no COVID-19 e discutir o potencial dos probióticos para equilibrar a microbiota intestinal e restringir a infeção e o desenvolvimento de inflamação em seres humanos.
The interaction between nutrition and the immune system is very complex. Specific micronutrients, including vitamins, minerals and polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, play a key and often synergistic role at various levels. The lack of micronutrients can increase susceptibility to infections and compromise the proper functioning of physical barriers and immune cells. Immune function can be improved by restoring deficient micronutrients to recommended levels, thereby increasing resistance to infection and supporting faster recovery. However, it is not always possible to achieve good nutritional status through diet alone, and it is in this context that food supplements can become a valuable tool. The emergence of new infectious diseases and old diseases with new pathogenic properties is a growing problem worldwide, as illustrated by the recent and current COVID-19 pandemic, which affects the immune system producing a systemic inflammatory response. Low levels of micronutrients have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes during viral infections. Vitamin D has the ability to reduce the “cytokine storm” that contributes to the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and vitamin C supports various cellular functions of the innate and adaptive immune system. The human gut contains trillions of bacteria, the gut microbiota, with regulatory roles in immune development, homeostasis and metabolism. Probiotics can be used to modulate the microbiota and prevent colonization by pathogens or promote their elimination. Generally, the use of dietary supplements does not significantly contribute to total exposure to harmful contaminants. However, prolonged and/or combined exposures to contaminants from dietary supplements can lead to harmful effects on human health. Furthermore, as these can be launched on the market without the support of clinical trials, there is a lack of studies on their interactions with other drugs, and additional safety monitoring is essential. The purpose of this review was to investigate whether supplementation with vitamins C and D is beneficial in COVID-19 and to discuss the potential of probiotics to balance the gut microbiota and restrict the infection and development of inflammation in humans.
The interaction between nutrition and the immune system is very complex. Specific micronutrients, including vitamins, minerals and polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, play a key and often synergistic role at various levels. The lack of micronutrients can increase susceptibility to infections and compromise the proper functioning of physical barriers and immune cells. Immune function can be improved by restoring deficient micronutrients to recommended levels, thereby increasing resistance to infection and supporting faster recovery. However, it is not always possible to achieve good nutritional status through diet alone, and it is in this context that food supplements can become a valuable tool. The emergence of new infectious diseases and old diseases with new pathogenic properties is a growing problem worldwide, as illustrated by the recent and current COVID-19 pandemic, which affects the immune system producing a systemic inflammatory response. Low levels of micronutrients have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes during viral infections. Vitamin D has the ability to reduce the “cytokine storm” that contributes to the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and vitamin C supports various cellular functions of the innate and adaptive immune system. The human gut contains trillions of bacteria, the gut microbiota, with regulatory roles in immune development, homeostasis and metabolism. Probiotics can be used to modulate the microbiota and prevent colonization by pathogens or promote their elimination. Generally, the use of dietary supplements does not significantly contribute to total exposure to harmful contaminants. However, prolonged and/or combined exposures to contaminants from dietary supplements can lead to harmful effects on human health. Furthermore, as these can be launched on the market without the support of clinical trials, there is a lack of studies on their interactions with other drugs, and additional safety monitoring is essential. The purpose of this review was to investigate whether supplementation with vitamins C and D is beneficial in COVID-19 and to discuss the potential of probiotics to balance the gut microbiota and restrict the infection and development of inflammation in humans.
Descrição
Trabalho Final de Mestrado Integrado, Ciências Farmacêuticas, 2022, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia.
Palavras-chave
COVID-19 Doenças infeciosas Probióticos Sistema imunitário Suplementos alimentares Mestrado integrado - 2022