COVID-19: Foods To Help You Boost Your Immune System

The government has relaxed the lockdown and advised that everyone who must go out must use a facemask. What this means is that, as much as you’re practicing proper hygiene (washing your hands regularly), you must also help your body system fight germs and diseases to avoid falling sick this period.

Covid-19 doesn’t care about anyone’s age, which is why anyone can get the virus, especially those with weak immune systems. Now more than ever, it is important to boost your immune system.

Your body needs nutrients in order to function properly. This period is the best time to give it those nutrients to make sure it can fight against many diseases. You can make the choice by eating well so your body system can fight diseases better. 

Here are a few vitamins to help boost your immune system.  

Vitamin C

This Vitamin helps you prevent the common cold and protects you from infections. Vitamin C can be found in broccoli, oranges, strawberries, red bell pepper, lemon, lime, tangerine, and other citrus fruits. You can also include vitamin C tablets as part of your diet.

Vitamin D 

This Vitamin helps protect you against respiratory tract infections. It helps to keep bones, teeth, and muscles healthy. Before the lockdown and social distancing, we could say we were getting natural vitamin D from the sun. But since we have to stay indoors more often, we need to eat food containing vitamin D such as egg yolk, soy milk, orange juice, cereal, and oatmeal

Zinc

Zinc helps in developing White Blood Cells (WBC). The White blood cells are parts of the blood that help fight off bacteria and viruses. If you’re lacking Zinc, you can easily get flu, cold, and other viral infections. 

It is important to eat food that contains Zinc especially if you’re an elderly person. Zinc can be found in food such as beans, seeds, nuts, meat, poultry, and seafood.

Protein 

There are amino acids found in protein that help protect the body against infections. Food such as meats, chicken, seafood, eggs, beans, nuts, and seeds all have lots of protein. 

In general, having a good immune system is about you being able to eat balanced diet and eating healthy. Consume these nutrients in moderation and don’t overfeed yourself with these nutrients, try to balance it. Remember the quote that says “too much of everything is not good”. 

As you shop for these food items make sure you stay protected, wash your hands, and avoid touching your face. If you don’t have health insurance, this is the best time to get one for as low as N3,500.