Calcium, Magnesium and even Zinc and Selenium are major essential minerals that have hundreds of critical metabolic functions in the body. They are part of everything from bones and muscles to nerve function. These minerals help with immune function, cardiac function, muscle function and numerous others. Although our bodies do have a means for storing minerals in the bones and muscles, essential minerals must be taken in the diet. Calcium, Zinc and Selenium are especially vital for immune function with Magnesium to a lesser degree. However, proper Magnesium levels help reduce inflammation and help the immune system to not overreact and help activate vitamin D. It also helps maintain healthy blood vessels, blood pressure and helps muscles relax. (70% of people are Magnesium deficient not getting enough in their diet. Poor foods cause inflammation and Magnesium depletion. Diuretics & caffeine cause Magnesium excretion from the body. Stress also depletes Magnesium because it is used heavily by metabolic pumps.) Calcium is released from the bones by hyperthermia (fever) for use by macrophages during an infection. Giving calcium during an illness can help lessen a fever and improve function. Calcium is arguably the most important immune mineral. Vitamin F helps more calcium from the blood into the tissues. (Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium & Sodium are the top cations in the blood.)
Normal zinc levels are 72-144mcg/dl. Zinc helps 100 enzymes, immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA production, cell growth, normal taste and smell. Deficiency impairs neutrophils, macrophages and natural killer cells also affects lymphocyte proliferation and T lymphocyte development and activation. Deficiency correlated to pneumonia. Zinc food sources are pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, oats, baked beans, chick peas, fortified cereals, yogurt and beef.
Zinc Benefits For Immune Function and COVID-19 by Dr. Campbell - Oct 2020 Spain study found low zinc levels result in poor outcomes. Those who died mean plasma level at 43mcg/dl while survivors 63mcg/dl. Zinc levels below 50mcg/dl had 2.3 times death rate. India study found 70% of those deficient had complications, needed more steroids, had longer hospital stay and greater mortality, while of those non-deficient only 30% had complications. Zinc a known anti-viral, impairs viral replication and binding at cell receptor site. Zinc deficiency is common among elderly and those with chronic disease. Zinc is immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory.
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