Covid-19 Sees Mass Focus On US Nutrition And Improved Eating Habits
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- Written by Stacey Rowan Woensdregt, Journalist, Former Writer
With the onset of colder winter months and the continuation of a rising Covid-19 pandemic, USA citizens are looking to boost their immune systems and prevent further infection by empowering their bodies with nutrition.
According to a recent news article by WRCBtv, staying healthy in 2022 requires the boosting of immune systems through an intake of the correct nutrients. And with nutrition support efforts to prevent and manage COVID-19 infections, citizens are also encouraged to increase their intake of superfoods, zinc, Vitamin D, and probiotics.
Boost Your Immune System By Increasing Your Vitamin D Intake
According to the recent news article by WRCBtv, many who have passed away from the virus lacked Vitamin D. An academic research released by Oxford Academic validates this when stating, “Vitamin D plays important roles in signaling during both the adaptive and innate immune response to viral and bacterial infection.”
Furthermore, it reports that vitamin D significantly reduces inflammation during infection. “Both the active form of vitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] and a fluorescent vitamin D analog have been found to decrease proinflammatory chemokine production during infection in vitro in human respiratory epithelial cells.”
Nutrient treatment of Vitamin D applied at therapeutic doses and in the right form can help to improve the clearance of infections, as well as associated symptoms.
Increased Zinc Intake Sees An Increase In Immunity
According to a research presented by Oxford Academic, “An abundance of evidence has accumulated over the past 50 years to demonstrate the antiviral activity of zinc against a variety of viruses, and via numerous mechanisms.” With this, the therapeutic use of zinc for viral infections cannot be emphasized enough.
The academic research said, “In the role of zinc as an essential micronutrient that is required to mount an effective antiviral response. Although zinc possesses direct antiviral properties (e.g. influenza), it is also critical in generating both innate and acquired (humoral) antiviral responses.”
“To complicate matters, zinc is an integral component of many viral enzymes, proteases, and polymerases, highlighting the importance of regulating cellular and systemic zinc distribution to inhibit viral replication and dissemination.”
Nutrient treatment of Zinc applied at therapeutic doses and in the right form can help to improve the clearance of infections, as well as associated symptoms.
Stress During Covid-19 Brings A Need For Increased Nutrition
Stress levels have increased during Covid-19 and this has affected the immune system of individuals across the globe. The American Journal of Medicine publishes a multitude of studies that show how stress influences the immune system and how mechanisms of nutrition help resolve stress-induced changes in immune function.
According to the Harvard School of Health, chronic stress releases cortisol which suppresses inflammation that activates immune cells as well as the action of white blood cells needed to fight off infection.
With this, according to the National Library of Medicine, dietary constituents with high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities are required to counteract the effects of mental stress. These include foods rich in Vitamin C, E, and phytochemicals. Other essential foods required to boost health and immune systems are listed below.
10 Essential Foods That Boost Health And Immunity In 2022
According to NewsConcerns, nutrient-rich foods need to be added to an individual’s diet. Foods that include zinc, probiotics, and vitamin D, as well as other nutrients which help boost immune systems.
Further to this, as stated by The Harvard School of Public Health, nutrients such as selenium, iron, folic acid Vitamin A, B6, and C, alter immune responses positively and help the system to work as an antioxidant to protect body cells, support the growth and activity of immune cells and product antibodies.
Marketscreener further encourages the addition of nutrients in one’s diet stating that nutrients help in the production and activity of the immune cells which are needed to fight off viruses and diseases.
To avoid malnutrition and a subsequent weakened immune response, consume salmon which is a rich source of Vitamin D. Salmon is number one on the top 10 list followed by oats, lentils, and nuts. Tomatoes and apples are the next items on the essential list, along with green vegetables, whole grains, plain yogurt, and citrus fruits.
Eyes Now Opened To Healthier Lifestyles
The global pandemic has certainly opened the world’s eyes to healthier lifestyles and awakened minds to the fact that individuals need to work hard at being healthy. They too have to prime their bodies to fight off infection through nutrition.
As One Medical provider, Doctor Natasha Bhuyan stated, “Whether you’re exposed to the common cold or COVID-19, it’s your immune system’s job to recognize and fight off those pathogens.
To do that effectively, your body needs to be otherwise strong and healthy. Your immune system cells go through a lot of turnovers, and the way to keep those cells healthy is to keep yourself healthy. That way, your body is primed to fight if you do come into contact with pathogens that could make you sick.”
To boost nutrition and build strong immune systems that provide a better defense against Covid-19 infections, dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, can be viewed on the US Department of Health and Human Services. Here, The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has provided five new consumer-friendly handouts based on these guidelines.
