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Defense against Coronavirus
Dietician Sheela Seharawat
Defense against Coronavirus

When any virus invades the human body, it tries to attach itself to the host cells and take over them. In response to this action of the viruses, the human body produces antibodies, which are proteins that recognize and removes viruses. This is how the immune system in our body keeps protecting us from various harmful pathogens like viruses, disease-causing microbes, and other foreign anti-bodies.

There are certain foods that are very helpful in boosting the immune system of the body and prevent us from the impacts of numerous disease-causing pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and microbes. Here is a list of five nutrients that our system needs to perform optimally and the foods to find them in.


1. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that acts as an antioxidant. These antioxidants help fighting the impacts of free radicals that attack and damage our immune system causing diseases and weakening the body’s natural ability to fight these diseases. Vitamin C has been found to improve the health condition of people suffering from major stress. Increase the intake of this all critical vitamin through foods like:
Citrus Fruits like Grapefruit and Oranges
Kiwi
Strawberry
Broccoli
Red and Green Peppers

2. Vitamin E
Same as vitamin C, vitamin E is also a powerful antioxidant and is very crucial for maintaining a healthy and strong immune system. It is very important for the elderly. Coronavirus is found to be affecting the elderly more. You can get you daily dose of vitamin E from the following foods:
Almonds
Hazelnuts
Sunflower Seeds
Peanut Butter
Wheat Germ Oil

3. Zinc
The mineral zinc is responsible for the production of certain types of cells of the immune system. Studies suggest that even a small level of deficiency of this critical nutrient can impair our immunity to a great extent. You can add the following foods in your daily diet for the availability of zinc:
Cashew Nuts
Raisin Bran
Chickpeas
Baked Beans
Oysters


4. Carotenoids
Carotenoids, another group antioxidants are a certain type of pigment, typically found in a number of plants. When carotenoids are consumed through foods, the body converts it into vitamin A – an essential nutrient for the health and development of our immune system. You can get a healthy dose of carotenoids in these following foods:
Papaya
Carrots
Mango
Apricots
Kale

 

5. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 is a kind of fatty acids that have been appreciated for their properties to reduce inflammation and keeping the immune system of the body in good health. Though there are no confirm reports to support that they can fight against infections, research studies confirm that omega-3 fatty acids can provide protection to many of our immune system disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. Include these foods for a healthy dose of omega-3:
Oily fishes like Salmon, Herrings, Tuna, Trout, and Mackarel
Walnuts
Flaxseeds
Avocado

Some More Foods for Boosting the Immune System
To keep the immune system healthy, it is very important that we get enough sleep, exercise regularly and manage our stress levels.


There are many supplements that contain high doses of antioxidants and various other nutrients that can be found in whole foods, can be taken regularly to boost the health of the immune system. Research studies indicate that regularly taking dietary supplements can also be beneficial for immune health. For more on foods for the immune system, try having garlic and foods high in probiotics like yogurt and kefir and green tea.