Scientists at the University of Hiroshima in Japan have determined that vitamin B6, found in bananas and fish, could theoretically contain cytokine storms in patients with severe COVID-19. This is reported in an article published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition. The study is summarized in a press release on MedicalXpress.
Researchers analyzed the available data on the effects of B6 on the health of people with various chronic diseases. As a result, it turned out that the vitamin can alleviate the condition of patients with hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. It fights inflammation, reduces inflammasomes responsible for activating the inflammatory response, and reduces oxidative and carbonyl stress.
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is one of the viruses that can lead to death from serious damage to the respiratory system and acute respiratory distress syndrome, when capillary cells of the lungs become inflamed, infiltration of white blood cells of neutrophils occurs and oxidative stress increases. Thrombosis also develops when blood clots block capillaries and damage organs such as the lungs, heart, liver, and kidneys.
Vitamin B6 is known to be a nutrient against thrombosis and inflammation. Deficiency of this vitamin is also associated with decreased immune function and increased susceptibility to viral infections. B6 levels always drop in people with chronic inflammation, obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Such people are more susceptible to COVID-19, which may also indicate the possible benefits of the vitamin in fighting infection.