Concept
Understanding the GI Tract, COVID‐19, and Related Nutrition Issues
- ACE2 is expressed abundantly in the gastrointestinal tract, especially the ileum and colon
- When SARS-CoV-2 binds to ACE2 receptors, it is believed that it disrupts the microbiome of the intestinal tract
- There are GI symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain) that may impact the ability for a patient to eat. If oral intake is not possible, enteral nutrition is preferred (studies have shown that this method decreases length of hospital stay, costs, mortality rate, and septic complications)
- Simulating the digestive system is important because a lack of nutrients in the intestines can result in lymphoid tissue and decline of the immune system, as well as increased bacterial translocation. Therefore parenteral nutrition is not recommended
- A few journals indicate that EN is extremely beneficial for patients Crohn's disease and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Probiotics are being used in addition to primary treatments to mitigate the damage done to the gut microbiota done by antibacterial and antiviral treatments
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Updated 2021-01-19
Tags
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
Human Nutrition
Biomedical Sciences