It was stated that zinc provides support by strengthening the immune system in protection from Covid-19. Internal Diseases Specialist Dr. Ayça Kaya said, “The results of the research have shown that the disease is milder in people with sufficient zinc levels, especially in the elderly, the frequency of cytokine storm formation, which can be defined as an extreme reaction of the defense system with pneumonia, and as a result, the duration of hospital stay is reduced by an average of 2.5 days.”
Dr. Kaya explained that there are many research results showing that zinc, an important trace element for immunity, supports the body against Covid-19 and helps to pass the disease in a shorter and lighter time.
T CELL IS AFFECTED
Dr. Kaya stated that while listing zinc-rich sources, whole grains, red and white meat, eggs and seafood, liver and green leafy vegetables are rich sources of zinc and it is important to take them regularly. Kaya continued as follows:
“Unfortunately, there are 49.8 percent zinc deficiency in our land in Turkey. This causes us not to get enough zinc from food. In foods such as meat, seafood and liver, which are rich in zinc, the high prices of these products unfortunately increase the zinc deficiency that we can get through diet.
In case of deficiency, a prescription can be arranged with the advice of a doctor to protect immunity by looking at the blood tests recommended by your doctor and the levels of zinc in the blood. Recent research has also shown that the functions of the immune system and especially the T cell, which is an important player in this system, are negatively affected by zinc deficiency. “
CANNOT BE STORED ON THE BODY
Explaining that the excess of zinc is a very rare condition, Kaya said, “Zinc was not a metal accumulated and stored in the body. The research results have shown that zinc is also supportive in this protection, along with all the precautions to be taken to protect against Covid-19, ”he said.
ZINC DEFICIENCY IN HALF OF THE PATIENTS
The details of the results of the study titled “Covid – 19 clinical results in patients with zinc deficiency” published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases are as follows:
• The level of zinc in the blood is important for pre-Covid-19 immunity. Studies show that the increase in cytokine storm seen in the disease is associated with zinc deficiency.
• Low zinc status has been shown to be a risk factor for pneumonia, especially in the elderly.
• It has been stated that zinc reduces the rate of catching Covid-19, and those who are caught survive the disease with less complications and / or less hospital stay.
• It was observed that the zinc level was low in 57.4 percent of Covid-19 patients subject to the study.
• While 70.4 percent of Covid-19 patients with zinc deficiency had complications, this rate was found to be 30 percent in patients without zinc deficiency.
• Covid-19 patients with zinc deficiency stayed in the hospital for 7.9 days, while patients without zinc deficiency were discharged after 5.7 days.
• In another study conducted on the zinc levels of intubated patients with severe Covid-19, serum zinc levels in severe Covid-19 patients were found to be lower than in mild / moderate Covid-19 patients.
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