The emergence of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes severe respiratory tract infections in humans (COVID-19), has become a global health concern. One of the most worrying features of COVID-19 is a phenomenon known as the “cytokine storm”, which is a rapid overreaction of the immune system. Additionally, coagulation abnormalities, thrombocytopenia and digestive symptoms, including anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea, are often observed in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Baker’s yeast β-glucan, a natural immunomodulatory component derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, primes the immune system to respond better to any microbial infection. Our previous studies have shown that oral administration of yeast β-glucans decreased the diarrhoea, modulated cytokine expression, and reduced the intestinal inflammation. Additionally, we showed that β-glucan fractions decreased coagulation in plasma and reduced the activation of platelets. During the period of home confinement facing individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, our immune defence could be weakened by different factors, including stress, anxiety and poor nutrition, while a healthy diet rich in vitamins C and D can reinforce the immune defence and reduce the risk of microbial infections. Additionally, β-glucan can be used to strengthen the immune defence in healthy individuals prior to any possible viral infections. This short review focuses on the role of baker’s yeast β-glucan, with a healthy diet rich in natural vitamins C and D, in addition to a healthy gut microbiota can provide synergistic immune system support, helping the body to naturally defend prior to respiratory virus infections, until stronger options such as vaccines are available.

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如何在呼吸道病毒感染之前增强免疫防御，特别关注冠状病毒感染

新型冠状病毒 SARS-CoV-2 的出现会导致人类严重的呼吸道感染 (COVID-19)，已成为全球健康问题。COVID-19 最令人担忧的特征之一是一种被称为“细胞因子风暴”的现象，这是一种免疫系统的快速过度反应。此外，在 COVID-19 重症患者中经常观察到凝血异常、血小板减少和消化系统症状，包括厌食、呕吐和腹泻。面包酵母 β-葡聚糖是一种源自酿酒酵母的天然免疫调节成分，可使免疫系统更好地应对任何微生物感染。我们之前的研究表明，口服酵母 β-葡聚糖可减少腹泻、调节细胞因子表达并减少肠道炎症。此外，我们发现 β-葡聚糖组分降低了血浆中的凝血并降低了血小板的活化。在 COVID-19 大流行期间个人面临居家隔离期间，我们的免疫防御可能会因压力、焦虑和营养不良等不同因素而减弱，而富含维生素 C 和 D 的健康饮食可以增强免疫防御并减少微生物感染的风险。此外，β-葡聚糖可用于在任何可能的病毒感染之前增强健康个体的免疫防御。这篇简短的评论着重于面包酵母 β-葡聚糖的作用，搭配富含天然维生素 C 和 D 的健康饮食，此外健康的肠道菌群可以提供协同免疫系统支持，帮助身体在呼吸道病毒面前自然防御感染，