How to Fight Coronavirus: Boosting Immunity through Diet, Exercise, and Mood

One thing about Coronavirus is that strengthening your immune system helps to fight infections. The best way to strengthen our immunity is to eat a balanced diet and exercise. Your immunity will also help you recover faster.

Coronavirus is a newly discovered infectious virus

According to the World Health Organization, Coronavirus disease is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. However, there is no need to panic because most people who get infected get mild to moderate symptoms and recover without specialized treatment. Senior citizens and individuals with underlying medical conditions like chronic respiratory disease, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are at a higher risk of getting infected.

Since the virus spreads through discharge from the nose or saliva when an infected person sneezes or coughs, it is necessary to observe respiratory etiquette. Also, remember to avoid touching your face, wash your hands regularly, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Boosting Your Immunity through Diet

A healthy diet boosts your immunity against infections

With the outbreak of Coronavirus, you might be wondering how to boost the immune system naturally. Plant-based foods have proven to give a boost to your immune system, which is the body’s defense mechanism.

Keto Diet

Following the keto diet is one of the easiest natural ways to boost your immune system. You’ve probably heard people talking about the keto diet and rolled your eyes, but this diet has many benefits. The ketogenic diet starves the body from carbohydrates to help it burn fat. It also helps to decrease inflammation and boost physical health. But what’s the connection between immunity and Coronavirus?

The ketogenic diet helps your body to fight against flu infections. Although the keto diet is not the cure for Coronavirus, this diet activates the production of immune cells called gamma delta T cells. The diet forces your body to go into ketosis; this state of burning carbs fuels the immune system to fight infections. A healthy keto diet includes high-fat, low-carb, and moderate protein diet. You can also try the best keto supplements, for instance.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are beneficial to boost your immune system because they are packed with Vitamins C and E, as well as beta-carotene.

• Vitamin C

Fruits and vegetables that boost immune system contain Vitamin C. This is because Vitamin C is an antioxidant. This means it can help to fight a virus that attacks the immune system. Antioxidants fight free radicals, which are unstable molecules that destroy the immune system. Foods with Vitamin C are broccoli, citrus fruits, green and red peppers, strawberries, and kiwi fruit.

• Vitamin E

Vitamin E is similar to Vitamin C because it is a potent antioxidant. In recent years, many people have turned to Vitamin E supplements to boost the immune system. Our immune functions and the strength of T-cells decline with our age; however, Vitamin E helps to boost our immunity and counter this process. This also indicates that older people who are at a higher risk of contracting the virus need more vitamin E, which can be found in almonds, hazelnuts, wheat germ oil, peanut butter, and sunflower seeds.

• Protein

Protein is a body-building element, which means it aids in the repair and building of body tissues. It also helps to fight bacterial and viral infections. Our immune system cells and antibodies rely on protein for proper functionality. If you have little protein in your body, you might feel weak, tired, and have poor immunity. When your body is attacked by virus-fighting immune system protein gives you immunity to fight back. You can choose animal-based protein like beef, chicken, dairy products, and fish. Soy products like amaranth and quinoa or plant proteins, like beans, whole grains, and lentils.

• Zinc

Zinc is essential for your body and is one of the minerals you should include in your diet to the boost immune system. Zinc strengthens the immune system and is beneficial in treating common cold; that is why many lozenges contain zinc. Foods rich in zinc include shellfish, meat, nuts, legumes, eggs, dairy, seeds, and whole grains.

• Drinks

If you like drinking your way to immunity, you can try healthy juices and smoothies. You can whip up some drinks to boost the immune system; for instance, you can blend carrots, oranges, and apples. These contain folic acid, potassium, and Vitamins A, C, and B-6, which are good for immunity. You can also make vegetable smoothies and juices, depending on your preference.

Exercise

Exercising keeps your body physically fit to counter infections

Did you know that exercising can boost your immune system and virus don’t stand a chance against a physically healthy body? This is why whenever you have a cold or cough, you feel better after taking a walk. Physical activities help to get rid of bacteria from your lungs; this reduces the likelihood of getting flu or cold.

Exercising also changes your white blood cells, which fight diseases. These antibodies circulate more in your body, which helps to detect diseases earlier before they cause damage. Physical activities cause a rise in body temperature, which prevents bacteria from thriving. This gives the body a boost to fight infections. Physical activities cause a rise in body temperature, which prevents bacteria from thriving. This gives the body a boost to fight infections

Although exercising is beneficial in many ways, you should not overdo it. If you have been exercising, continue with your routine. If you find it hard to do any physical activities, try walking or helping around the house.

Mood

Did you know that there is a connection between your mood and immunity? Our brains are linked to stress hormones, like cortisol. These hormones affect our nervous and immune system negatively. When you experience stress for a prolonged period, the stress hormones wear down your immune system making you vulnerable to infections. Exposure to prolonged stress and negative mood has a negative impact on your physical health.

Conclusion: Coronavirus is new, which means there is no cure or vaccine. This is why you need to stay safe and protect yourself whichever way you can. Eating healthy, exercising, and trying to stay calm and away from negative thoughts will help to boost your immunity. Also, remember to wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Also, stay away from crowded places and maintain respiratory etiquette.

How are you staying safe from Coronavirus? Please leave a comment.

Author’s bio: Danny Gonzalez is a nutritionist and a passionate writer who helps people at his office and through his articles. He’s also a wellness expert who has written several articles from his knowledge, experience, and interaction with other experts. Danny loves spending his free time outdoors hiking with his poodles.