Boosting immuniry is need of the hour
- Dr. Bhuvaneswari Shankar
March 30, 2020 The Hindu

When we are supposed to protect ourselves from the virus from outside, we need to
protect ourselves beginning right from within our body by strengthening the immune 
system. The immune system is indeed complex and is to a great extent impacted by the
environment aroung us.

There are many factors that affect the functioning of the immune system.

A healthy lifestyle involves eating nutritious food, practising hygienic habits, 
walking and exercising regularly, maintaining good emotional and mental health and
having adequate sleep.

It is important to understand that these factors play a significant role in regulating 
and boosting immunity.

Gut microbiome
A healthy body has a healthy gut. The microbes living in our gut, collectively known as
microbiomes play an important role in tha body's response to infectious pathogens like
coronavirus.

It is thus important to maintain a healthy gut which helps to prevent impaired digestion
that can damage the vital organs like lings causing respiratory failure.

This is the reason we should think of supporting rather than 'boosting' our immunity.
Recent research has proved that the gut microbiomes can be controlled with a good food
regime and a healthy diet.

There are many uncertified and unverified claims made on supplements to boost immunity.
Instead of following those prescriptions which donot have any scientific evidence, we 
should consider eating time-tested foods routinely consumed by us.

We are all very well aware that our home made food recipes that had been passed on to us
through many generations are definitely capable of providing and sustaining all that is
essential for us to strengthen our immunity. They have been found to have the most
desirable and positive impact on the gut microbes.

Recommended foods rich in antioxidants and minerals to improve immunity.

Rich in Vitamin A:
Cereals, legumes, yellow and orange coloured vegetables and green leafy vegetables.

Rich in Vitamin B (B6, B9, B12):
Cereals, legumes, green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, soy milk, fish.

Rich in Vitamin C:
Orange, lemon, guava,cauliflower, tomato, capsicum and mint.

Rich in Vitamin D:
Exposure to sunlight helps improve Vitamin D levels.

Rich in Vitamin E:
Nuts, green leafy vegetables and vegetable oils.

Rich in Iron:
Cereals, legumes, dry fruits, fish.

Rich in Zinc:
Wheat germ, dried beans, nuts, tofu and sea foodds.

Rich in Selenium:
Cereals, nuts, mushrooms, meat.

Rich in antioxidants, condiments and spices:
Garlic, onion, ginger, pepper and green tea.

Apart from including the above, it is important to follow a healthy lifestyle which
involves, consuming nutritious foods, abstaining from alcohol and smoking or moderate
indulgence, destressing/unwinding with hobbies, having adequate hours of undisturbed
sleep, exercising regularly, walking inside your home, in the terrace or even in the
balcony of your home and doing simple floor exercises. Static jogging also recommended.

Home and healthy
 Consider this as an opportunity to:
* Eat freshly-cooked home made food, which is the most safe.
* Have a fixed meal time which is impossible while at work for many.
* Develop the habit of eating fruits and vegetables which are an important source of 
  minerals and antioxidants.
* Learn healthy cooking and new recipes.
* Learn about food safety techniques and healthy food choices.
* Get into the habit to avoid baked and fried foods, pre-packaged snacks high in salt
  and fat.
* Try to cut down on salt and sugar intake for at least 2 weeks, leading the way for it 
  to become a habit.
* Try not to buy or store sugar rich candies, sweets, chocolates, ice creams, 
  fizzy drinks, energy and sports drinks.
* Keep yourself well hydrated. Get into the habit of drinking more water than usual, 
  at least 8-10 glasses.

Have a positive mind
Handle stress in a positive way through meditation, yoga, breathing exercise, 
listening to music, reading or developping hobbies missed out during hectic work
schedules.

Indulge in physical activity to lower stress, boost energy, improve digestion and
thereby reduce the risk of some chronic disease that could weaken your immune system
further. Conserve your energy for essential activities.

Ensure having a consistent sleep schedule that helps in maintaining your cardiac
rhythm. Try to have a restful quality sleep time.

This in turn helps to manage mood and appetite which in turn facilitates to improve
immunity. Seven to eight hours of sleep is essential for us as sleep deprivation
significantly weakens our immunity.

Food safety
Concerns with regard to transmission of virus via food are being rampantly spread across
all sections.

There is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 is transmitted through food and water but
considering the fact that food and containers we use may hold and transmit the virus
to others, it is essential that we are cautious.

Sharing food by eating out of the same plate and sipping out of the same cup are
undesirable and dangerous too.

Anyone with suspected symptoms like cough and cold should avoid cooking food for others.

Food safety measures for refrigerated foods:
1. Separate the raw from the cooked foods to avoid contamination.
2. Cook the meat thoroughtly.
3. While reheating cooked food double check if it is still fresh and 
   suitable for consuming.
4. Rinse the chopping board, knives and utensils used while cutting raw meat and fish.
5. Practice hand hygiene especially after handling meat and fish.
6. All vegetables and fruits to be washed thoroughly.

Nutrition tips for athletes during this time at home:
For many athletes who are used to doing a lot of physical activities like sports
training and weight bearing exercises, the same may not be possible now. They might 
have been on a high calorie diet also. It is important to prevent fat gain during this
period - so the guidelines for them and those who regularly exercise are:

- Avoid foods high in sugar and fat.
- Reduce portion size.
- Consume fewer calories than required.
- Include adequate protein to maintain muscle mass - soy chunk, tofu, unsweetened soy
  milk sprouts, nuts, meat, fish.
- Include 4-5 serving of vitamins and mineral rich fruits and vegetables.
- Snack on low calorie nutritious foods like salad, sprouts and roasted unsalted channa.
- Drink adequate water to keep yourself hydrated all the while.
- Avoid tetra pack juice, fruit juices, sugary carbonated drinks.
- Avoid consuming pre and post workout drinks if not presently keeping up with routine
  practice sessions.
- Avoid deep fried foods.
- Do regular routine floor exercises, walking inside home or on the terrace and skipping
- Keep yourself active throughout the day, learn to do household chores.
- Stay home, stay fit and stay positive and spread the positivity.
