News – Who would have thought that a small basic blend like vitamin B6 in the banana or fish you had this morning might be important in your body ‘s strong response to COVID-19?
Studies to date have examined the benefits of vitamins D and C and minerals such as zinc and magnesium in enhancing the immune response against COVID-19. But research on vitamin B6 has been largely lacking. Food scientist Thanutchaporn Kumrungsee hopes to publish their paper in Limits in nutrition be a first step in demonstrating the potential of vitamin B6 in reducing the numbers of patients who are critically ill with coronavirus.
“In addition to washing your hands, food and nutrition are among the first lines of protection against Covid-19 virus infection. Food is our first medicine and kitchen is our first store. our pharmacist, ”Kumrungsee, an associate professor at Hiroshima University’s Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, said.
“Recently, many scientists have published papers regarding the role of diet and nutrition in protection against COVID-19. However, very few scientists pay attention to the important role of vitamin B6 , “she said.
In her paper, she and her fellow researchers identified growing evidence that vitamin B6 exerts a protective effect against harmful diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes by being inhibits inflammation, inflammasomes, oxidative stress, and carbonyl stress.
“Coronaviruses and the flu are among the viruses that can cause fatal lung injuries and deaths from major respiratory distress syndrome worldwide. Viral diseases trigger a ‘cytokine storm,’ ‘ to lung capillary endothelial cell inflammation, neutrophil infiltration, and increased oxidative stress, ”they said.
Kumrungsee explained that thrombosis (hemorrhage) and cytokine storm (hyper swelling) may be closely linked to the severity of COVID-19. Cytokine storms occur when the immune system enters dangerously and begins to attack even the healthy cells. At the same time, blood clots linked to COVID-19 can block capillaries, damaging vital organs such as the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.
Vitamin B6 is a well-known anti-thrombosis and anti-inflammatory nutrient. Deficiency in this vitamin is also associated with lower immune function and a higher susceptibility to viral infections.
“Vitamin B6 is closely linked to the immune system. Its levels always fall in people with chronic inflammation such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. We can see from the news that obese and diabetic people are at high risk for COVID-19, “Kumrungsee said.
“Therefore, our effort in this paper is to shed light on the potential impact of vitamin B6 in reducing the severity of COVID-19.”
The associate professor said she is looking forward to clinical trials that would test their hypothesis.
“There is a great deal of interest in studying whether vitamin B6 provides protection against novel strains of virus and major outbreaks that may occur in the future. nutrition protection against influenza and lung infections, “she said.
“After COVID-19, we should improve the nutritional range for lung diseases such as pneumonia and lung cancer.”
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About Hiroshima University
Since its founding in 1949, Hiroshima University has strived to be one of the most prominent and comprehensive universities in Japan for the advancement and development of scholarship and education. Comprised of 12 schools for undergraduate level and 4 graduate schools, from natural sciences to humanities and social sciences, the university has grown to become one of the most prestigious comprehensive research universities in Japan. English Website: https: /