Immune-enhancing role of vitamin C and zinc and effect on clinical conditions

Wintergerst, Eva S.; Maggini, Silvia; Hornig, Dietrich H.

doi:10.1159/000090495

Cited by 418Vitamin C and Antioxidants ResearchTrace Elements in HealthExercise and Physiological Responses

Immune-enhancing role of vitamin C and zinc and effect on clinical conditions

Wintergerst, Eva S., Maggini, Silvia, Hornig, Dietrich H.·2006·Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism

DOI 10.1159/000090495

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Abstract

Vitamin C concentrations in the plasma and leukocytes rapidly decline during infections and stress. Supplementation of vitamin C was found to improve components of the human immune system such as antimicrobial and natural killer cell activities, lymphocyte proliferation, chemotaxis, and delayed-type hypersensitivity. Vitamin C contributes to maintaining the redox integrity of cells and thereby protects them against reactive oxygen species generated during the respiratory burst and in the inflammatory response. Likewise, zinc undernutrition or deficiency was shown to impair cellular mediators of innate immunity such as phagocytosis, natural killer cell activity, and the generation of oxidative burst. Therefore, both nutrients play important roles in immune function and the modulation of host resistance to infectious agents, reducing the risk, severity, and duration of infectious diseases. This is of special importance in populations in which insufficient intake of these nutrients is prevalent. In the developing world, this is the case in low- and middle-income countries, but also in subpopulations in industrialized countries, e.g. in the elderly. A large number of randomized controlled intervention trials with intakes of up to 1 g of vitamin C and up to 30 mg of zinc are available. These trials document that adequate intakes of vitamin C and zinc ameliorate symptoms and shorten the duration of respiratory tract infections including the common cold. Furthermore, vitamin C and zinc reduce the incidence and improve the outcome of pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhea infections, especially in children in developing countries.

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Both zinc and vitamin C may also improve the outcome of pneumonia, malaria and diarrheal infections in children.
“Both zinc and vitamin C may also improve the outcome of pneumonia, malaria and diarrheal infections in children [9].”
From Immune function and micronutrient requirements change over the life course (2018) · cites this paper as [9]

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Vitamin C and Immune Function
Carr, A., & Maggini, S. (2017) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu9111211 · Cited by 2,035 · see citing works
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Maggini, S., Beveridge, S., & Suter, M. (2012) · Journal of International Medical Research · doi:10.1177/147323001204000104 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
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Vitamin C and vitamin C plus E improve the immune function in the elderly
De la Fuente, M., Sánchez, C., Vallejo, C., Díaz-Del Cerro, E., Arnalich, F., & Hernanz, Á. (2020) · Experimental Gerontology · doi:10.1016/j.exger.2020.111118 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
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Ghalibaf, M. H. E., Kianian, F., Beigoli, S., Behrouz, S., Marefati, N., Boskabady, M., & Boskabady, M. H. (2023) · Inflammopharmacology · doi:10.1007/s10787-023-01169-1 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
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Mitmesser, S. H., Ye, Q., Evans, M., & Combs, M. (2016) · SpringerPlus · doi:10.1186/s40064-016-2605-7 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Vitamin C metabolites, independent of smoking status, significantly enhance leukocyte, but not plasma ascorbate concentrations
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Keya, T. A., Leela, A., Fernandez, K., Habib, N., & Rashid, M. (2022) · Current Reviews in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology · doi:10.2174/2772432817666211230100723 · Cited by 14 · see citing works

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Comparative study of β-glucan induced respiratory burst measured by nitroblue tetrazolium assay and real-time luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence assay in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)
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A simultaneous flow cytometric measurement of neutrophil phagocytosis and oxidative burst in whole blood.
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Bovine Milk Enhances the Oxidative Burst Activity of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes in Low Concentrations.
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Yeast β-glucan stimulates respiratory burst activity of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) macrophages
Jørgensen, J. B., & Robertsen, B. (1995) · Developmental & Comparative Immunology · doi:10.1016/0145-305x(94)00045-h · Cited by 160 · see citing works

Authors: Wintergerst, E. S., Maggini, S., & Hornig, D. H.
Affiliations: Bayer (Switzerland) (CH)
Venue: Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Published: 2006
Volume: 50
Issue: 2
Pages: 85-94
ISSN: 0250-6807 (ISSN-L)
1421-9697
DOI: 10.1159/000090495
OpenAlex: W1964254026
Semantic Scholar: 98390e6c86fff8de868425a8c90189f190af13df
Cited by: 418
References: 90
Citations by year: 2026: 8 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 50 · 2021: 47 · 2020: 50 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 20
FWCI: 0.85
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.karger.com/Services/SiteLicenses (vor)
www.karger.com/Services/SiteLicenses (tdm)
Locations: Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Vitamin C and Antioxidants Research
Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Trace Elements in Health
Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Exercise and Physiological Responses
Keywords: vitamin C, zinc, immune function, micronutrient supplementation, respiratory infections, common cold, pneumonia, malaria, diarrhea, children, zinc deficiency, oxidative stress, natural killer cells, phagocytosis, innate immunity, older adults, low- and middle-income countries
MeSH terms: Antioxidants, Ascorbic Acid, Humans, Immune System, Immunity, Active, Immunity, Innate, Inflammation, Oxidation-Reduction, Zinc, Infection Control, Oxidative Stress

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Immune-enhancing role of vitamin C and zinc and effect on clinical conditions

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