This is part 2 of a 2-part audio presentation, which was recorded on April 6th, 2020 to present some of the latest research around COVID-19. In part 2 we covered the following topics:
- What are some of the ways to assess optimal immune function?
- Blood biomarkers that might be helpful
- Other assessment techniques
- What are some of the treatments/recommendations for restoring/maintaining optimal immune function?
- Ensuring optimal nutrient intake
- Balanced and targeted nutritional supplementation
- Avoiding drug-induced nutrient depletion
- Stress management
- How do we test for zinc deficiency?
- A review of some of the testing for SARS CoV2 Virus - antigen, stool antibody, and serum antibody testing
Research Studies and Links
Here are some of the information, research studies, and links we refer to in the podcast:
Blood biomarkers that might be helpful
- Comprehensive metabolic panel (including alkaline phosphatase, creatinine)
- CBC with differential, total lymphocyte count (low with malnutrition but increased with viral infection (unless malnourished?)
- NLR Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (higher with bacterial, lower with viral)
- Total protein, prealbumin, albumin, globulin
- hs-CRP, IL-6
- Nutrients
- Zinc serum and RBC, WBC zinc if available
- Selenium serum
- Magnesium serum and RBC, WBC if available
- Iron Panel - Total Iron, TIBC, Transferrin, % Sat, ferritin
- Vitamins A, C, 25-OH D, E, folate, B12, B1, B6
- Omega-3 Index (optimal >8%)
Additional Research and Resources
- Nutrition Focused Physical Exam - CLICK HERE for content
- Potential interventions for novel coronavirus in China: A systematic review - CLICK HERE for content
- Nutrition and the Immune System - Ranjit Chandra - American Journal of Clinical Nutrition - CLICK HERE for content
- Healthline 15 Foods That Boost the Immune System - CLICK HERE for content
- Cleveland Clinic: 8 Vitamins & Minerals You Need for a Healthy Immune System - CLICK HERE for content
- Linus Pauling Institute Immunity In Brief - CLICK HERE for content
- Aranow C. Vitamin D and the immune system. J Investig Med. 2011 Aug;59(6):881-6 - CLICK HERE for content
- Keller U. Nutritional Laboratory Markers in Malnutrition. J Clin Med. 2019 May 31;8(6):775 - CLICK HERE for content
- Read SA, Obeid S, Ahlenstiel C, Ahlenstiel G. The Role of Zinc in Antiviral Immunity. Adv Nutr. 2019 Jul 1;10(4):696-710 - CLICK HERE for content
- Naess A, Nilssen SS, Mo R, Eide GE, Sjursen H. Role of neutrophil to lymphocyte and monocyte to lymphocyte ratios in the diagnosis of bacterial infection in patients with fever. Infection. 2017 Jun;45(3):299-307 - CLICK HERE for content
