Overview
Recent studies revealed that serum zinc levels help to diagnose COVID-19 and predict its outcome. It may be a valuable biomarker to predict severe conditions in the early stages of coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Here in this blog, we will share some interesting studies depicting the correlation between serum zinc levels and the human body.
Summary
- Authors reveal that serum zinc levels may be a valuable biomarker to predict severe conditions in the early stages of COVID-19 infection.
- Zinc affects the human body’s immune system, helping to balance the immune responses and induces a direct antiviral action against certain viruses.
- Zinc deficiency causes an immune imbalance that can eventually lead to a significant public health concern that affects at-risk individuals even more.
- The study found that patients with low zinc levels had a 21% death rate while the individuals with healthy zinc levels had 5%.
- The authors assume that serum zinc levels could efficiently help in predicting the outcome of patients with COVID-19.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can have several effects on the patient. A person may experience asymptomatic to mild and severe symptoms, including acute respiratory distress and pneumonia that can probably be fatal. The identification of biomarkers at the early stage of infection is essential for predicting the severity of COVID-19. If you have found the biomarkers to predict Coronavirus, it can effectively help you diagnose and plan a treatment strategy.
A team of researchers in Spain from different institutes and universities lately published a paper on the preprint server medRxiv. They hypothesize that serum zinc levels have a notable influence on COVID-19 progression; thus, it may be a valuable biomarker to predict severe conditions in the early stages of COVID-19 infection.
Role of Zinc in Our Immune System
Zinc is a nutrient recognized for its antiviral properties. It is present in our body in a minimum amount, playing various roles crucial to maintain different basic biological processes. Zinc works as a cofactor, signaling molecule, and structural component. It affects the immune system of the human body and helps to balance our immune responses. It produces a direct antiviral action against certain viruses. Zinc levels affect innate as well as adaptive immunity.
Low zinc intake or malabsorption of zinc causes a zinc deficiency. It is more common in older people and people with underlying diseases. Such people are more prone to develop COVID-19. Zinc deficiency causes an immune imbalance that can eventually lead to a significant public health concern that affects at-risk individuals even more.
Primed Immune Cells
The authors hypothesize that local inflammation linked with gum disease is responsible for activating and mobilizing the bone marrow’s immune cells. These cells will, in return, trigger inflammation in the arteries.
But, further studies are required to confirm previous findings. The authors of the present study expect researchers to examine whether arterial inflammation and cardiovascular disease risk will reduce by treating gum disease or not.
Heart Disease – Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Options
Heart disease refers to any condition that affects your heart. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, heart disease is one of the primary reasons for deaths in the U.S. According to an estimate, around 1 in 4 deaths in the United States happen due to heart diseases. It has many associated types which can be prevented by taking necessary precautionary measures. Here we will share insightful information regarding types, causes, and symptoms of heart diseases.
One of the Spanish researchers claimed that higher levels of zinc in the blood were connected to lower pro-inflammatory proteins when an individual was infected.
Improved Outcomes
Approximately 21% of the patients with low zinc levels admitted to the hospital were more prone to experience coronavirus.
The recovery time for the patients with healthy zinc levels was approximately three times less than for those having a low serum level. Researchers have found that people with low zinc levels had a significantly higher mortality rate (21%) than the individuals with a healthy zinc group (5%).
After evaluating all the differences in the patients’ age, comorbidities, sex, and condition severity, the study showed a notable 6% decrease in death with every unit rise of serum zinc at admission.
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