Boost your Immune System against COVID-19

-products available at local Guyana Shop

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday March 31, 2020

To guard against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), citizens are being urged to continue practising social distancing, observing the three to six feet separation when in public, they are also being urged to practise frequent hand washing and constant sanitizing.

But what else can be done to guard against COVID-19?

Well according to both local and international scientists and health practitioners, social distancing, hand washing, and quarantine, can “flatten the curve.”, however, food and nutrition have a key role to play.

Social Distancing

Practicing social distancing

Firstly, the virus can affect anyone, no one is exempted, however, it has proven to be more devastating to aged persons who were likely to have underlining health issues, as opposed to persons with a stronger immune system.

Experts believe a proper diet can help alleviate the public health crisis and have shared several immune system boosters.

Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells. People often turn to vitamin C after they’ve caught a cold, that’s because it helps build up your immune system.

Popular citrus fruits laden with Vitamin C include; grapefruit, oranges, tangerines, lemons and limes. Vegetables rich in Vitamin C are; Red bell peppers, Broccoli, Tomatoes and Cabbage.

Important to note, the body does not produce or store vitamin C, therefore a daily vitamin C dose is needed for continued health.

Other foods to boost your immune system include; Garlic, and with a little zing to your food, you are ensuring the body gets; vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), manganese, selenium and vitamin C.

Garlic is also a good source of other minerals, including; phosphorous, calcium, potassium, iron and copper.

Ginger is also another ingredient many turn to after falling ill. Ginger may help decrease inflammation, which can help reduce a sore throat and other inflammatory illnesses. It helps to decrease nausea, as well as chronic pain and may possess cholesterol-lowering properties.

Some other foods to consume during this time include; Spinach, which is rich in vitamin C and numerous antioxidants and beta carotene, which may increase the infection-fighting ability of the immune systems.

Yogurt is next on the list with its stimulating immune system properties to help fight diseases. Yogurt is a great source of vitamin D, followed by Almonds, which prevent and fight off colds. Almonds are rich in vitamin E. They are key to a healthy immune system.

The list also includes; Turmeric, Green tea, Papaya and Poultry for non-vegetarians.

Poultry, such as chicken and turkey, is high in vitamin B-6.

Vitamin B-6 is an important player in many of the chemical reactions that happen in the body. It’s also vital to the formation of new and healthy red blood cells. Chicken stock or broth made by boiling chicken bones contains gelatin, chondroitin, and other nutrients helpful for gut healing and immunity.

For seafood lovers; some shellfish are packed with zinc which can boost the immune system. These include; crab, clams, lobster and mussels.

Other things can be done to protect you and your family from the regular flu and cold and COVID-19, but eating to strengthen your immune system is a great way to start.

Meanwhile, for those tea lovers, the local Guyana Shop has an excellent range of tea products available.

(Source: BBC Good Food and Edition.cnn.com.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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