Boost your immune system

Washing your hands and practising social distancing are practical ways to protect yourself against the Covid-19 virus, but is there anything you can do to help your immune system fight it off if you do come into contact with the virus?

From supplements to the flu vaccine, here’s what works best.
•Supplement strategically
To be clear, no supplement or vitamin can prevent nor cure infection by the coronavirus. And it’s always best to get essential nutrients primarily from food. However, certain vitamin and mineral supplements can strengthen your immune function.
• Vitamin C
An essential nutrient, vitamin C acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants help fight free radicals, unstable molecules known to damage the immune system.
• Vitamin E
Like vitamin C, vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. Maintaining optimal levels of vitamin E is crucial for maintaining healthy immune function, especially among older people.
• Zinc
Your body needs this essential mineral to produce certain immune cells.
• Omega 3 fatty acids
These fats reduce inflammation, which is known to damage immune function.
•Eat wholesome foods and drink plenty of water
The coronavirus outbreak may affect your routine and increase your stress levels, but don’t let nutrition become an afterthought. Eating an antioxidant-rich, plant-heavy diet is more important than ever. Make vegetables the hero of every meal and snack on fresh fruits.
You may have seen social media posts claiming that sipping water regularly prevents you from getting the Covid-19 virus by keeping your mouth and throat moist or by ‘washing’ the virus through your system.
There is absolutely no evidence for this. But, drinking plenty of water does help your cells to operate optimally and to eliminate waste, thereby strengthening your immune function.
• Get regular exercise
Your daily routine may have been upended when the President declared a state of disaster in response to the coronavirus outbreak in South Africa.
But it’s important to keep moving because moderate-intensity exercise mobilises immune cells, helping the body’s defense systems.
You may not be able to take your usual exercise class, but you can still take brisk walks, use a skipping rope or explore free online exercise programmes at home.
• Don’t skip your flu vaccine
While there is a vaccine for the Covid-19, you should still stay up to date with your flu shot this season. The flu vaccine is not effective against this coronavirus, but it will help protect you from the latest strain of the flu, which could weaken your immune system.
Because you’re less likely to get the flu if you’ve had your shot, you’ll also be less likely to confuse flu symptoms for symptoms of the coronavirus.
Book an appointment for a flu vaccination at a Clicks Clinic by calling 0860 254 257 or visiting Clicks Clinics online.
• Stop scrolling and get some sleep
When you skimp on sleep, your body produces fewer infection-fighting cells and antibodies. Getting the recommended eight hours of sleep each night helps to regulate immune function.
While you may be feeling anxiety related to the coronavirus outbreak, and it’s tempting to spend lots of time online reading about new developments, it’s important to limit your screen time so that it doesn’t interfere with your sleep.
If you suspect you might have the Covid-19 virus, call your healthcare provider. Calling ahead prevents you from spreading or being infected by the coronavirus and allows your healthcare provider to direct you to the right facility.
* Source: www.clicks.co.za