Zinc supplementation among zinc-deficient vegetarians and vegans restores antiviral interferon-α response by upregulating interferon regulatory factor 3

We identified zinc-dependent IRF3 expression as an essential cellular mechanism behind impaired IFNα response in zinc-deficient subjects. This may contribute to disturbed antiviral immunity and cause increased susceptibility to virus infections in vivo. Oral zinc supplementation effectively restored IRF3 and IFNα levels. Hence, nutritional interventions may become increasingly important in order to prevent health implications from micronutrient deficiencies among vegetarians and vegans.