Can you boost your immune system to fight COVID-19?
COVID-19
This is the subject on everyone’s mind as we face a worldwide crisis. We don’t yet skills to completely prevent or manage the damage caused by COVID-19, the disease caused by a coronavirus that’s new to us all.We see online claims that we will “boost” our immune system with almost everything from vitamin C or vitamin D to essential oils and silver nanoparticles. But how can we know which of those recommendations, if any, really work?That’s a worrying question to answer, mainly because the immune system isn’t “one thing” that we will easily measure. It’s an intricate and delicate system with many various components. Helping one section might impair another, or boosting a particular section may have nothing to do with fighting viruses.That’s a worrying question to answer, mainly because the immune system isn’t “one thing” that we will easily measure. It’s an intricate and delicate system with many various components. Helping one section might impair another, or boosting a particular section may have nothing to do with fighting viruses.That makes knowing what to do stimulating. Plus, how do we know if something that helps with another virus will help with this new coronavirus? As you’ll see, there’s much we simply cannot know.Finally, if you’re older or have an underlying health condition (including diabetes and high blood pressure), you’ve got an increased risk of severe symptoms, and potentially, loss of life from COVID-19. We recommend taking every precaution to avoid it.If you’re young and otherwise healthy, your risk of complications is much lower. If you are doing contract the virus, you’ll probably have mild symptoms and fully recover within a few weeks. However, it’s possible that you may be infected with the virus without showing any symptoms.[su_quote]So retaining excellent hygiene and practicing social isolation is crucial to avoid spreading it to high-risk individuals.[/su_quote]Many Australians are anxious and emphasized about the coronavirus, COVID-19. There are reports of panic-buying at the supermarket. People have been donning face masks they have no symptoms. You cannot make a cup of tea at work without someone mentioning ‘coronavirus.’You might feel a little powerless but there are a few things you can do to support boost your immune system and help protect yourself from many types of viruses. And none of them involve a hazmat suit.Do vitamin pills protect you from the coronavirus?
No. It’s much enhanced to get all the nutrients you need for a robust immune system from a balanced diet. And with a couple of exceptions — folic acid for pregnant women, for example — most healthy people do not need to use luxurious supplements.Social media has been infiltrated by claims that megadoses of vitamin supplements, like vitamin C, can treat the flu-like symptoms of COVID-19, but there’s no evidence to back this up. Consuming high doses of certain supplements, like vitamin A and vitamin D, can actually be toxic. Social media has been infiltrated by claims that megadoses of vitamin supplements, like vitamin C, can treat the flu-like symptoms of COVID-19, but there’s no evidence to back this up. Consuming high doses of certain supplements, like vitamin A and vitamin D, can actually be toxic.Vitamin C is water-soluble, which suggests it isn’t lethal, but if you consume quite your body can store, it’s removed via your urine. So, excess vitamin C goes down the toilet.[su_quote] While there is no vaccine for COVID-19 yet, there’s a vaccine for an additional global killer, the flu. Search for updates on this season’s influenza vaccine and book during a jab when it’s available.[/su_quote]