No doubt, diet is one of the factors that can affect our health. Foods that we eat contains all the nutrients the body needs to keep functioning properly, one of which is minerals. In the body, minerals play a role in maintaining healthy bones and teeth, among others. Also, minerals play a role in maintaining our immunity to fight diseases. One of the minerals that do just that is zinc.

Considered as one of the essential minerals, zinc has an important role in the growth and development process in the body. Zinc is needed to maintain the body's metabolism and the function of the reproductive, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. Zinc is also known to play a role in supporting the production and maturation of white blood cells. In addition, zinc can also help treat inflammation in the body. As we know, inflammation is one of the body's responses to infections.

In the current pandemic, experts are doing everything they can to help stop the spread of coronavirus infections, one of which is by utilising zinc. In a recent review published in the International Journal of Molecular Medicine, it was stated that zinc could be used to prevent and treat respiratory infections, including COVID-19, since it can reduce inflammation and increase immunity. According to the review, researchers found evidence that zinc could block an enzyme that played a role in the replication of the coronavirus. Zinc was also known to reduce the risk of damage to the lungs in pneumonia.

Previously, the combination of zinc and hydroxychloroquine was known to increase the number of patients cured and reduce the risk of death from COVID-19. Unfortunately, hydroxychloroquinehas been banned due to its side effects. Researchers explain, although the results of previous studies show that zinc can reduce the risk of respiratory system diseases and its complications, but there is no significant data that shows that zinc intake can overcome COVID-19.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Google Search Images

Source(s):

• Skalny, A.V., Rink, L., Ajsuvakova, O.P., et al (2020). Zinc and respiratory tract infections: Perspective for COVID-19 (Review). International Journal of Molecular Medicine, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2020.4575.
• Medical News Today - Could zinc protect against COVID-19? (2020). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/zinc-may-have-protective-effects-against-covid-19, 20 July 2020.