2 very important substances for maintaining good immunity.

Magnesium is important for activating vitamin D and has a protective role against oxidative stress, both are important for a healthy immune response (DiNicolantonio JJ, O'Keefe JH, 2021).

Vitamin D is also important for reducing the risk of upper respiratory tract infections.

Magnesium deficiency increases endothelial cell susceptibility to oxidative stress, promotes endothelial dysfunction, and increases coagulation. The endothelial cells line the inside of the blood vessels.

People deficient in magnesium have a depressed immune response, but a partial or near full reversal of the immunodeficiency occurs when they are supplemented with magnesium.

Intracellular free magnesium levels in natural killer cells regulates their cytotoxicity and a deficiency in magnesium and vitamin D may contribute to the cytokine storm seen in COVID-19 infection.

The authors of this article suggest supplementation of phosphate an electrolyte, Mg and vitamin D should be implemented as a preventative strategy for COVID-19 (van Kempen TATG, Deixler E, 2021)

References:

DiNicolantonio JJ, O'Keefe JH. Magnesium and Vitamin D Deficiency as a Potential Cause of Immune Dysfunction, Cytokine Storm and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in covid-19 patients. Mo Med. 2021 Jan-Feb;118(1):68-73.

van Kempen TATG, Deixler E. SARS-CoV-2: influence of phosphate and magnesium, moderated by vitamin D, on energy (ATP) metabolism and on severity of COVID-19. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2021 Jan 1;320(1):E2-E6.