How bioniq may aid in COVID recovery

According to the WHO, more than 180 million people worldwide have had the new coronavirus infection [1]. Many people have fully recovered from the COVID virus, but many still help with the after-effects. What's the best way to do that?

When COVID enters the body, it acts aggressively, leading to the activation of innate and acquired immunity. Activated cells begin to produce many pro-inflammatory factors, which result in damage to human organs. How does this start to present itself?

In severe forms:

- acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS (respiratory failure due to fluid accumulation in the lungs and low blood oxygen saturation);

- sepsis (multiorgan dysfunction due to dysregulation of the body's response to infection);

- disseminated intravascular coagulation and anticoagulant blood systems), thrombosis and thromboembolism [2].

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The side effects of the infection in moderate and severe cases may present themselves in the following way:

- neurological (from weakness and headache to stroke);

- respiratory system (persistent shortness of breath, pulmonary fibrosis);

- cardiovascular system (arrhythmias, myocarditis, thrombosis);

- immune system (long-term reduced number of lymphocytes in the blood) [3, 4, 5].

It's essential to keep a healthy daily regimen, including good sleeping habits, eating foods rich in proteins and micronutrients, and being physically active to aid in recovery. Still, it's important not to overexert yourself. The contribution of vitamins and microelements to this process can be very significant.

bioniq LIFE may aid in recovery through unique multivitamin complexes, regular blood checkups and nutritional consultations. The composition of the vitamin-mineral complexes includes such microelements as vitamins A, C, D and E, and zinc. Studies show that these elements are involved in supporting the normal functioning of the human immune system.

Vitamin C

This is a micronutrient that we're all very familiar with. It's an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and research shows that it has immunomodulatory effects [6]. One study showed a positive effect of vitamin C in a group of patients requiring mechanical ventilation; Those who were prescribed vitamin C had significantly reduced time spent on the ventilation machine (p <0.00001) and had a shorter hospital stay (p = 0.00003) [7, 8].

Vitamin E

Acts as an antioxidant, maintaining the integrity of cells, thereby increasing the epithelial barrier's stability and ensuring the work of innate and acquired immunity [6].

In addition, both of these vitamins play an important role in producing factors of humoral immunity (antibodies), further strengthening our body [9].

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Vitamin D

Research shows that Vitamin D supports the integrity of the mucous membrane, which is usually attacked by viruses and other microorganisms, preventing further penetration of pathogens [10, 11]. It also aids in producing antimicrobial proteins, enhancing the body's immune defence [12]. Vitamin D may help suppress the excessive inflammatory response that leads to severe forms of the disease (for example, ARDS)[13].

Vitamin A

It also strengthens the epithelial barrier of the skin and mucous membranes, prevents the penetration of microorganisms, and affects innate and acquired human immunity [14]. Research shows a positive effect of vitamin A on pneumonia in measles.[15].

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Zinc

Supports protective barriers and is involved in the development of the immune system. Zinc deficiency leads to the inadequate formation, activation and maturation of lymphocytes (the primary cells of the immune system responsible for interaction with foreign microorganisms and the production of antibodies) and poor intercellular communication necessary for proper immune functioning [15, 16]. There is evidence of statistically significant improvements during respiratory diseases in people taking supplements with zinc [17, 18, 19].

For example, the duration of fever and severe illness in the zinc-treated group of children was 2.6 times lower (p = 0.004) and 3 times (p = 0.003), respectively, than in the group of children who did not receive supplements (based on the results a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study by Mahalanabis et al.) [18].

In addition to the above, studies show that the following microelements also have a positive effect on the course of various diseases and may aid in the strengthening of the immune system:

selenium;

magnesium;

omega-3;

other micronutrients [20-23].

It is also important to understand that buying supplements without medical consultations may be ineffective for achieving the intended goal (for example, strengthening the immune system or improving sleep quality) or may even have negative consequences. For instance, fat-soluble vitamin A can accumulate in the liver. Therefore regular consumption of excess amounts of this vitamin manifests itself with toxic effects and can also lead to joint pain, baldness, headaches and other consequences [24]. Excessive intake of vitamin C may impact the GI tract because of the influence of unabsorbed vitamins in the intestinal lumen [25].

All of the above vitamins and minerals that may help support and maintain the immune system are found in our bioniq supplements.

bioniq granules are produced in Switzerland using patented technology and are very easy to use - two spoonfuls are all you need to get your daily dose of micronutrients!

A balanced intake of vitamins and minerals, together with regular physical activity and a balanced diet, may help to support the immune system. At the same time, it's essential to take care of yourself and get a professional medical opinion before beginning any treatments.

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References:

1. WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard Электронный ресурс URL:https://covid19.who.int
2. G. Li, Y. Fan, Y. Lai, T. Han, Z. Li, P. Zhou, P. Pan, W. Wang, D. Hu, X. Liu, Q. Zhang, J. Wu, Coronavirus infections and immune responses, J. Med. Virol. 92 (4) (2020) 424–432.
3. Carfi A, et al. Persistent symptoms in patients after acute COVID-19. JAMA. 2020
4. Yancy CW, et al. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the heart — Is heart failure the next chapter? JAMA Cardiology. 2020  
5. Teneforde MW, et al. Symptom duration and risk factors for delayed return to usual health among outpatients with COVID-19 in a multistate health care systems network — United States, March-June 2020. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2020
6. Maggini S, Maldonado P, Cardim P, Newball CF, Sota Latino ER. Vitamins C, D and zinc: synergistic roles in immune function and infections. Vitam Miner. 2017
7. Hemilä H, Chalker E. Vitamin C may reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients: a meta- regression analysis. J Intensive Care. 2020;8:15.
8. Hemilä H, Chalker E. Vitamin C can shorten the length of stay in the ICU: a meta-analysis. Nutrients. 2019;11:E708.
9. Moriguchi S, Muraga M. Vitamin E and immunity. Vitam Horm. 2000;59:305-336.
10. Kast JI, McFarlane AJ, Globinska A, et al. Respiratory syncytial virus infection influences tight junction integrity. Clin Exp Immunol. 2017;190:351-359.
11. Grant WB, Lahore H, McDonnell SL, et al. Evidence that vitamin D supplementation could reduce risk of influenza and COVID-19 infections and deaths. Nutrients. 2020;12:988.
12. Herr C, Shaykhiev R, Bals R. The role of cathelicidin and defensins in pulmonary inflammatory diseases. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2007;7:1449-1461.
13. Jeffery LE, Burke F, Mura M, et al. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and IL-2 combine to inhibit T cell production of inflammatory cytokines and promote development of regulatory T cells expressing CTLA-4 and FoxP3. J Immunol. 2009;183:5458-5467.
14. Mccullough FS, Northropclewes CA, Thurnham DI. The effect of vitamin A on epithelial integrity. Proc Nutr Soc.1999;58:289.
15. Hussey GD, Klein M. A randomized controlled trial of vitamin A in children with severe measles. N Engl J Med. 1990;323:160-164.
16. Maares M, Haase H. Zinc and immunity: an essential interrelation. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2016;611:58-65.
17. Calder PC, Carr AC, Gombart AF, Eggersdorfer M. Optimal nutritional status for a well-functioning immune system is an important factor to protect against viral infections. Nutrients. 2020;12:1181.
18. Mahalanabis D, Lahiri M, Paul D, et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of treatment with zinc or vitamin A in infants and young children with severe acute lower respiratory infection. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;79:430-436.
19. Acevedo-Murillo JA, García León ML, Firo-Reyes V, Santiago-Cordova JL, Gonzalez-Rodriguez AP, Wong- Chew RM. Zinc supplementation promotes a Th1 response and improves clinical symptoms in fewer hours in children with pneumonia younger than 5 years old. A randomized controlled clinical trial. Front Pediatr. 2019;7:431.
20. D. Wu, S.N. Meydani, E. Vitamin, Immune Function, and Protection Against Infection, Vitamin E in Human Health, Springer, 2019, pp. 371–384.
21. M. Kieliszek, B. Lipinski, Selenium supplementation in the prevention of coronavirus infections (COVID-19), Med. Hypotheses 143 (2020), 109878.
22. Q. Dai, X. Zhu, J.E. Manson, Y. Song, X. Li, A.A. Franke, R.B. Costello, A. Rosanoff, H. Nian, L. Fan, H. Murff, R.M. Ness, D.L. Seidner, C. Yu, M.J. Shrubsole, Magnesium status and supplementation influence vitamin D status and metabolism: results from a randomized trial, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 108 (6) (2018) 1249–1258.
23. Shakoor H, Feehan J, Al Dhaheri AS, Ali HI, Platat C, Ismail LC, Apostolopoulos V, Stojanovska L. Immune-boosting role of vitamins D, C, E, zinc, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids: Could they help against COVID-19? Maturitas. 2021 Jan;143:1-9.
24. Smith FR, Goodman DS. Vitamin A transport in human vitamin A toxicity. New England Journal of Medicine, 1976, 294:805–808.
25. Kubler W, Gehler J. On the kinetics of the intestinal absorption of ascorbic acid: a contribution to the calculation of an absorption process that is not proportional to the dose. International Journal of Vitamin and Nutrition Research, 1970, 40:442–453.

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