Below are many links to research papers so can do your own learning and make your own conclusions.

One new tidbit I learned recently is about ionophores and nutrients. I always knew that in order to absorb iron from spinach, or other leafy greens, you squeeze some lemon juice on there first because vitamin C enhances iron absorption. But I had not come across the term ionophore before, nor until recently, learned of it’s importance in zinc absorption and utilization. 

Ionophores are compounds forming lipid-soluble complexes that act as vehicles for transporting ions across biological membranes. When zinc in ionic form, piggy-backs on an ionophore (such as the drug pirithione or hydroxychloroquine, or the nutritional supplement quercetin), it is transported to the inside of the cell most effectively.

Without the assistance of an ionophore, zinc may not reach the inside of the cell where it is needed to carry out the multitude of tasks.

This is an important consideration, and highlights the importance of working closely with a health care professional who is well versed on the intricacies of nutrition, the synchronicity required for optimal absorption of nutrients, and how drugs may interact, enhance or inhibit nutrient absorption.

Check out the points below and do your own research. PubMed is a website that archives a great deal of scientific papers, published scientific journal articles and more. Always remain vigilant and consider who funds the studies. Remember too, we cannot put a patent on nature which means the big money goes elsewhere!

Plenty of evidence is out there in support of nutritional therapy to enhance immune function and give you and your family the best chance of complete recovery from viruses or other pathogens that we encounter throughout our lives.

• This study shows that zinc blocks the enzyme responsible for replicating the coronavirus that led to the SARS outbreak of 2002.

• This study shows how combining hydroxychloroquine and zinc creates a synergistic effect and, in combination with the antibiotic azithromycin, has been used as a successful treatment approach to Sars-CoV-2.
• This paper discusses the importance of zinc, vitamin D, C, E, selenium and omega 3 fatty acids in immunomodulation. It suggests “given the negligible risk profile of supervised nutritional supplementation, weighed against the known and possible benefits, it appears pertinent to ensure adequate, if not elevated intake of these key vitamins and minerals in people both at risk of, and suffering from COVID-19.”
• This study shows the direct relationship between patients with high blood pressure who are taking diuretics, Calcium antagonists, and ACE inhibitors and zinc deficiency. The authors conclude there is an “urgent need for further large-scale studies on the recommendations regarding zinc supplementation during antihypertensive treatment.” Do you see the connection between the high-risk groups for severe Covid- symptoms and the role of zinc? Obviously there are many many layers to consider when treating a person’s health, but to me it is a no-brainer that we would ensure optimal nutrition for ourselves and those we love.
• This PubMed paper concludes “zinc should be included as part of preventative supplementation for COVID-19 and in general for support of immune health.”