Boost Your Immune System To Fight Against COVID-19
Do you think a mask would keep you safe from the contagious Coronavirus? Apparently not as the disease is far more dangerous than you can think it is. It’s not just a respiratory disease it can affect your kidneys as well. So, what is that one thing that can ensure your safety and protect you from getting affected- a healthy immune system. You need to prepare your body with the essential nutrients to become able to fight off the germs and bacteria that are carried with the virus. If your body stays strong internally, it will fight better and can get quickly treated even if it catches the virus. So, let’s learn about the basics first and then head towards the dietary guide. Read on!
Basic Precautionary Measures To Take
Before you head towards strengthening your immune system, the first thing is to learn about the basic precautionary measures to take from the list stated below:
Frequent Handwashing
The great source to transmit bacteria into your body is through your hands. Therefore, you need to wash your hands for at least 209 seconds more than three times a day. Plus apply sanitizer to kill the germs as the presence of alcohol is effective in getting rid of the germs.
Avoid Smoking
You need to avoid all such activities that make your body susceptible to catching the virus one such thing is smoking. Either avoid or completely quit smoking if you can, as it will eliminate the risk of having respiratory congestion.
Keep A Proper Sleep Cycle
You need to keep your body active and resilient in every way possible. Therefore, learn to take proper sleep at night and keep your immune system healthy.
Drink AlcoholIn Moderate Amount
Though at the time of stress people find it soothing to drown theirsorrows with every glass of drink but in this situation you need to rely on mindful techniques to keep yourself calm and composed. Studies revealed that heavy drinkers have a high chance of respiratory issues, which make them prone to catching the virus. Therefore, if you are one of those than its better to limit your consumption.
Role Of Immune System To kill Coronavirus
The immune system is made up of many molecules and cells, which are the antibiotics to the disease. The first line of defense is what we have inside our body. Professor Pellegrini stated that “These cells will start to make their own inherent antiviral molecules that will try and stop, for example, viruses from replicating,”When the germs enters our stomach, the acids kill the bacteria and flush them out completely. However, this is only possible if those germs do not reside inside the lungs or kidneys.
Essential Nutrients and Food Intake Needed To Fight The Coronavirus
To keep your immune system healthy you need micronutrients that fight off the disease. Such nutrients include Vitamins.
Vitamin A
As you know that Vitamin A helps in maintaining a proper cell structure it makes them capable to get rid of the bacteria. The cells get to kick out the bacteria efficiently for your body. Moreover, Vitamin A acts as a natural antibiotic against the germs.
Food Containing Vitamin A
You need to opt for dairy products like eggs, yogurt, milk and butter. Apart from this, fresh fish and cheese will do great as well.
Vitamin B
B Vitamins that include B6, B9 and B12 are the most important nutrients needed. These vitamins help in making your body respond readily to the virus and create hindrance to make the germs spread inside. They are referred as the Natural Killer that works on a natural process called apoptosis. They are like on the boarders trying to stop the germs from entering.
Essential Food Intake
You can opt for cereals, green leafy vegetables, fish, chicken, fruits. Legumes and meat. Apart from this, nuts, and seeds can also help you out. It’s best to increase your consumption of soy milk as well.
Vitamins C and E
Vitamin E and C are the two agents that help in reducing oxidative stress in the cells. When germs affect your body cells experience an oxidative stress situation where the cell walls becomes weak and let the particles sweepinto. To stop this transmission you need to strengthen the cell wall and for that you have to increase your intake of Vitamin C and E.
Food With Vitamin C and E Presence
The best source to have Vitamin C is to eat oranges. They are full with the richness of Vitamin C. Apart from this; you can opt for broccoli, kiwifruits, berries, tomatoes, lemon and capsicum.
Vitamin D
Your immune cells need to destroy pathogens and for that they need Vitamin D. The pathogens can cause infection in your body, which needs to be stopped during this pandemic. Therefore, opt for ways that can increase the presence of Vitamin D in your body. You may not be able to get exposed to UV rays during the strict lockdown time. So, all is left for you is to take supplements to cover the gap. You need to consult a physician and get yourself prescribed with the right and effective Vitamin D supplement along with increasing the consumption of fresh milk.
Iron, zinc, selenium
Apart from the vitamins listed above your body needs other nutrients like iron, zinc, and selenium. These nutrients help kills the pathogens and increase the concentration of free radicals. The radicals regulate the process enzyme reaction, which targets the pathogens. Furthermore, the presence of zinc in your body helps in treating the mucous that is the biggest contributor to respiratory disease. Plus it treats the oxidative stress as well. So, what do you need to consume to increase the presence of all three nutrients?
Food Intake
You need to increase the intake of chicken, seafood, dried beans and dry fruits. Nuts can be an essential addition to your diet as well.
Winding Down
During this lockdown, all you can do is to pay a little more attention to your body. Even if you are not affected you must make sure that your body stays healthy. So, eat, sleep, work and mediate. Make the best out of this time.