Selenium supplementation can relieve the clinical complications of COVID-19 and other similar viral infections

COVID-19 is a highly contagious RNA virus infection which causes severe complications such as acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS), fulminant myocarditis, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome(SIRS). Among many suggested treatments, the crucial role of supportive nutrient therapies is almost neglected and is only limited to the use of immune boosting nutrients such as vitamin D, E and C in healthy individuals and no definitive nutrient therapy regimens for COVID-19 patients has yet been recommended. Selenium, taking part in human physiology as selenocysteine is One of the most studied subjects among all nutrient therapies. Altogether, 25 selenocysteine containing proteins (selenoproteins) have yet been explored about half of which do not yet possess a well-described function. Among selenoproteins, proteins active in redox homeostasis, proteins located in endoplasmic reticulum and the serum transporter of selenium are well known. Besides their antioxidant functions, Glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase and other enzymatic selenoproteins play significant roles in cell signaling pathways and gene expression of leukocytes. studies on selenium supplementation in RNA viruses infections such as coxsackie B and influenza indicated that not only selenium supplementation could boost immune system against the infection but also the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of selenium supplementation prevents severe immune responses. Moreover, studies demonstrated that selenium supplementation could decelerate the viral mutation rate which is a highlighted characteristic of SARS-COV-2 complicating the way through mass population immunization. Clinical studies on critically ill patients, also confirmed the role of selenium supplementation in decreasing the mortality rate. Although the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for both men and women is 55 μg (0.7 μmol)/day based on researches, in COVID-19 patients with no kidney injury, supraphysiological doses of selenium supplementation up to 800 micrograms/day would be likely well tolerated and may lower the risk of lethal complications in both hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients.