| Abstract | Od pojave pandemije uzrokovane novim virusom SARS-CoV-2 interes velikog broja znanstvenika, liječnika i kliničara usmjeren je na razvoj novih cjepiva i terapija, ali i primjenu nekih otprije poznatih biološki aktivnih spojeva u svrhu prevencije i suportivne terapije bolesti COVID-19. Najčešći rizičnih čimbenici za nastanak COVID-19 bolesti su starija životna dob (preko 60 godina starosti), muški spol, pretilost i već postojeće bolesti, a najčešći simptomi bolesti su povišena tjelesna temperatura, suhi kašalj, umor, iskašljavanje, zaduha dok su rjeđi simptomi glavobolja, suho grlo, probavne tegobe, simptomi gornjeg dišnog puta, promjene u osjetu njuha i okusa. Europska agencija za sigurnost hrane (EFSA) u objavljenim je mišljenjima izdvojila šest vitamina (D, A, C, folnu kiselinu, B6, B12) i četiri mineralne tvari (cink, željezo, bakar i selen) kao esencijalne nutrijente za normalnu funkciju imunološkog sustava tijekom bolesti COVID-19 temeljeno na dosadašnjim znanstvenim dokazima. Činjenica je da se optimalan status specifičnih nutrijenata smatra esencijalnim za normalnu funkciju ljudskog obrambenog mehanizma te tako pomaže u prevenciji ili preboljevanju određene infekcije uz lakšu težinu bolesti. Za rastući interes o dodacima prehrani tijekom pandemije COVID-19 potvrđuju brojni znanstvenici i autori istraživanja, a utvrđeno je i kako je njihova primjena povezana s blažim oblikom bolesti. Optimalan vitaminsko-mineralni status neophodan je za funkcionalnost imunološkog sustava te utječe na pojavnost i tijek akutnih respiratornih infekcija, a ovaj se utjecaj osobito proučava tijekom sadašnje pandemije. Suboptimalni mikronutritivni status može povećati rizik od incidencije akutnih respiratornih infekcija, njihovo trajanje i ozbiljnost. Cilj rada je ispitati učestalost i svrhu primjene dodataka prehrani među općom populacijom te dobiti uvid o stavovima ispitanika u konzumaciji određenih nutrijenata u povezanosti sa koronavirusom. Podaci provedenog istraživanja pokazaju kako je 50,7 % ispitanika povećalo konzumaciju dodataka prehrani u vrijeme COVID-19 pandemije. Nepromijenjenu konzumaciju dodataka prehrani prijavilo je 41 % ispitanika dok je njih 8,3 % izjavilo kako ne koristi dodatke prehrani. |
| Abstract (english) | Since the outbreak of the pandemic caused by the new virus SARS-CoV-2, the interest of a large number of scientists, doctors and clinicians has been focused on the development of new vaccines and therapies, as well as the use of some previously known biologically active compounds for the purpose of prevention and supportive therapy of the disease COVID-19. The most common risk factors for the onset of the COVID-19 disease are older age (over 60 years of age), male gender, obesity and pre-existing diseases, and the most common symptoms of the disease are elevated body temperature, dry cough, fatigue, expectoration, shortness of breath, while less common symptoms are headache, dry throat, digestive problems, upper respiratory tract symptoms, changes in sense of smell and taste. In published opinions, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) identified six vitamins (D, A, C, folic acid, B6, B12) and four minerals (zinc, iron, copper and selenium) as essential nutrients for the normal function of the immune system. during the COVID-19 disease based on current scientific evidence. The fact is that the optimal status of specific nutrients is considered essential for the normal function of the human defense mechanism and thus helps in the prevention or recovery of a certain infection with a lighter severity of the disease. The growing interest in food supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic is confirmed by numerous scientists and research authors, and it has also been established that their use is associated with a milder form of the disease. Optimal vitamin-mineral status is necessary for the functionality of the immune system and affects the incidence and course of acute respiratory infections, and this influence is particularly studied during the current pandemic. Suboptimal micronutrient status can increase the risk of incidence of acute respiratory infections, their duration and severity. The aim of the paper is to examine the frequency and purpose of the use of dietary supplements among the general population and to gain insight into the attitudes of respondents in the consumption of certain nutrients in connection with the coronavirus. Data from the conducted research show that 50,7% of respondents increased their consumption of food supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unchanged consumption of food supplements was reported by 41% of respondents, while 8,3% of them stated that they do not use food supplements. |
