Vitamin B6 can help keep COVID-19 cytokine storms under control

Who would have thought that a small basic compound like vitamin B6 in bananas or fish could be the key to a robust response against COVID-19?

So far, studies have explored the benefits of vitamins D and C and minerals like zinc and magnesium in strengthening the immune response against COVID-19. But most of the research on vitamin B6 is lacking. Food scientist Thanutchaporn Kumrungsee hopes his article will be published in Frontiers in Nutrition it could be the first step to show the potential of vitamin B6 in reducing the chances of cytokine storms.

“In addition to washing hands, food and nutrition are among the first lines of defense against infection by the COVID-19 virus. Food is our first medicine and the kitchen is our first pharmacy,” Kumrungsee, associate professor at the School of Integrated Graduation from Hiroshima University Life Sciences, he said.

“Recently, many scientists have published articles on the role of diet and nutrients in protecting against COVID-19. However, few scientists are paying attention to the important role of vitamin B6,” she added.

In her article, she and her fellow researchers pointed to growing evidence that vitamin B6 has a protective effect against chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, suppressing inflammation, inflammasomes, oxidative stress and carbonyl stress.

“Coronavirus and influenza are among the viruses that can cause lethal lung damage and death from acute respiratory distress syndrome worldwide. Viral infections evoke a storm of cytokines, leading to inflammation of pulmonary capillary endothelial cells, neutrophil infiltration and increased oxidative stress, “they said.

Kumrungsee explained that thrombosis (blood clotting) and cytokine storm (hyperinflammation) may be closely related to the severity of COVID-19. Cytokine storms happen when the immune system kicks in excess and starts attacking even healthy cells. Meanwhile, blood clots attached 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 of this vitamin is also associated with lower immune function and greater susceptibility to viral infections.

“Vitamin B6 has a close relationship with 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 of contracting COVID-19,” Kumrungsee said.

“Thus, our attempt in this article is to shed light on the possible involvement of vitamin B6 in reducing the severity of COVID-19.”

The associate professor said she is looking forward to clinical trials that test her hypotheses.

“It is of great interest to examine whether vitamin B6 protects against new types of virus and pneumonia infections that will be found in the future. Currently, there is little information about the protective role of nutrients against pneumonia and lung disease, ”she said.

“After COVID-19, we must develop the area of ​​nutrition for lung diseases such as pneumonia and lung cancer”.