Page | 1 BIOMED Natural and Applied Science 2021;1(3):1-14 https://doi.org/10.53858/bnas01030114 ISSN: 2789-178X Role of nutrition in ameliorating the severity of COVID-19: A review update Jonathan Ibrahim 1 , Fatima Mahmoud Muhammad 2 , Dalyop Daniel Gyang 2 , Victoria Sanda Felix 4 , Toheeb Damilola Yissa 5 1 Department of General Study, Gombe State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Kaltungo Gombe State, Nigeria 2 Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria 3 Department of Pharmacy Technician, Gombe State College of Health Sciences and Technology Kaltungo, Nigeria 4 Department of Community Health Sciences, Gombe State College of Health Sciences and Technology Kaltungo, Nigeria 5 Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria ABSTRACT Transmissible diseases are on the increase worldwide. Viral diseases have continued to emerge and represent a serious issue to public health. In the last twenty years, several viral epidemics such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in 2002 to 2003, and H1N1 influenza in 2009, were recorded. In this study, the role of nutrition in ameliorating the mortality rate of Covid-19 virus infection was reviewed. Nutrition has been confirmed as one factor that can be utilized to inhibit the upshot of viral infection before clinical treatment is received by the patient. For the body to function normally, its nutritional demand must be met in the right proportions. Diet rich in vitamins, minerals and micronutrients are required for the metabolic functioning of the body and immune system, hence effective or adequate nutrition has health benefits to the human body particularly in fighting against infectious diseases including Covid-19. In defining the relationship or interaction between nutrition and infection, nutritionists have conventionally considered only the effects of diet on the host. Contemporary findings, however, stipulates that, at least for an RNA virus, host nutrition can influence the genetic make-up of the pathogen and thereby alter its virulence. Living on a quality diet has a way of improving the body defence mechanism against infectious diseases, Covid-19 virus inclusive. Adequate dietary nutrition could be an effective approach to counter the outbreak of Covid- 19 pandemic, which is yet to have a worldwide scientifically acceptable treatment Keywords: Immunity; Infection; Covid-19; Nutrition; Micronutrient; Selenium Citation: Ibrahim, J., Muhammad, F.M., Gyang, D.D., Felix, V.S., and Yissa, T.D. (2021). Role of nutrition in ameliorating the severity of COVID-19: A review update: BIOMED Natural and Applied Science,1(3):1-14, https://doi.org/10.53858/bnas01030114 1.0 Introductions Mankind has always faced one challenge or the other in the course of his existence. A health challenge is one of the factors contributing to the high rate of death in Nigeria [1]. Covid-19 virus infection is presently the biggest health challenge in the world [2]. Since the first COVID- 19 case was reported in Africa in mid-February 2020, the pace of the outbreak has accelerated, taking 98 days to reach the first 100 000 cases and only 19 days to rise to 200 000 cases. As of 24 September 2021, more than 321 million cases and more than 4 million deaths have been reported globally (WHO, 2020) [3]. Countries with the most prevalence cases included the USA, India Brazil, United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Iran and Argentina (Figure 1) [3]. In Africa, there are 8 180 555 cases; the five countries reporting most cases are South Africa (2 882 630), Morocco (919 681), Tunisia (700 807), Ethiopia (332 961) and Libya (332 026) [3, 4]. BIOMED Natural and Applied Science 2021;1(3):1-14 ISSN: 2789-178X Arocjournal.com REVIEW ARTICLE Received: 13 May 2021, Revised: 21 August 2021, Published: 27 September 2021 Correspondence should be addressed to J.I. E-mail lillysmiles24@gmail.com