7 Proven Tips to Boost Your Immune System During COVID-19 Lockdown

One of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind since the COVID-19 hit is, “How can you boost your immune system to fight the coronavirus?

As we face a global pandemic, we are still looking for answers, this virus caught us by surprise, and everyone has their opinions.

Some claims you can read online are Vitamin C intake and that essential oils are great for our immune system. The question is, how do we know if they work?

It’s tough to answer because our immune system can’t be measured. It’s a system with many different components. You might help one section and impair another or boost a certain part of your immune system that has nothing to do with fighting a virus.

Besides, what worked with another virus does not automatically mean that it will perform the same way with the COVID-19 we are now facing worldwide.

Here’s a great tip to boost our immune system during this coronavirus pandemic from Dr. Bret Scher, MD, published in the Diet Doctor.

Low Carb Nutrition

At Diet Doctor, they advocate a low-carb diet that may help boost your immune system.

Now is the best time to live a healthy lifestyle which includes a long-term healthy eating pattern. A low-carb diet helps keep your blood sugar and weight in check.

From what we know, people with type 2 diabetes and other metabolic conditions are at higher risk of complications from the coronavirus.

This shows that low-carb and ketogenic diets may be useful tools for reversing and treating the said metabolic conditions.

While it is hard to prove that low-carb nutrition boosts immune function against the virus per se, but isn’t it wise to limit the conditions like high blood pressure and high blood sugar that make things worse?

A recent study shows that a keto diet lowers the risk of mice infected with the flu. This is not proof that a keto diet will give the same results against COVID-19, but we believe that this is worth a shot.

Imagine a diet program that can help you lose weight and lower blood sugar and blood pressure at the same time, you won’t lose anything if you try it out.

Here are 7 tips on how to boost your immune system during COVID-19:

1. Proper handwashing for 20 seconds with soap or hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol can kill the coronavirus (obviously this doesn’t directly boost your immune system but it does give it the best chance to stay strong)
2. Smokers should quit smoking, at least for the time being. The risks of catching the virus and having severe symptoms are high for smokers because the virus targets the respiratory system
3. Getting the right amount of sleep is essential, as it may also boost your immune system. One study showed that people with insomnia had less immune response to the influenza vaccine. Get 8 hours or more of sleep and avoid too much time on blue-light devices like tablets, phones, and TV.
4. Exercise is beneficial for overall health based on the consensus. Focus on home exercises as shared gym equipment may transmit the virus.
5. Stress management is essential during this period. We know that people worry about money, job security, getting the infection, and a whole lot of stuff, but too much stress can have a negative impact on our immune system. Do what you do to relieve stress like meditation, watching a good movie, and walking.
6. Alcohol consumption should be curbed or cut off, just like smoking. Some people turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism during times like these, but COVID-19 has a greater impact on heavy drinkers
7. Increasing Vitamin C and zinc may be a good idea as it has proven to prevent the common cold. There is no evidence yet that it can help fight COVID-19, but taking 2,000 mg per day won’t do any harm. Just don’t exceed the 2,000mg a day maximum dosage set by the National Academy of Medicine.

What foods help fight COVID?

Foods that help fight COVID-19 are those that are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Fruits and vegetables are all excellent sources of these nutrients. Some of these are:

• apples
• oranges
• spinach
• broccoli
• tomatoes
• lemon
• blueberries

Additionally, foods like nuts and seeds are also good sources of nutrients for fighting the virus. Whole grains like oats and quinoa can provide complex carbohydrates to help boost your energy levels.

Of course, let’s not forget to include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, flaxseed oil and walnuts can help reduce inflammation throughout the body.

Eating a balanced diet with these healthy food choices will not only help you fight COVID-19 but also improve your overall health.

What is the fastest way to recover from Covid-19 symptoms?

The fastest way to recover from Covid symptoms is to take rest, stay hydrated, and boost your immunity. But there are also other measures that can speed up your recovery process. Doing this will also help you boost your immune system along the way.

Listed below are the following ways you should keep in mind:

• If you have mild symptoms, such as a headache and fever, it’s important to get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids.
• Taking over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can also help reduce discomfort.
• Eating a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables can give your body the nutrients it needs to boost its immunity.
• Exercise is another great way to help boost your immune system and speed up the recovery process.
• Be sure to follow all recommended guidelines from the CDC for social distancing, handwashing, and other preventative measures so that you can minimize your risk of getting sick again.

And we should not forget that the best way to recover is by educating ourselves on how this disease manifests. The most common symptoms of Covid-19 include:

• fever
• dry cough
• shortness of breath
• fatigue
• body aches
• chills
• sore throat
• headache
• loss of taste or smell
• congestion
• runny nose
• nausea
• vomiting

Less common symptoms can also include abdominal pain or diarrhea.

It is important to note that not everyone will experience the same set of symptoms and in some cases, people may never show any signs at all. It can take up to 14 days for some people to develop symptoms after exposure to the virus.

If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing any of the aforementioned signs or symptoms it is very important that you get tested and self-isolate immediately.

Final Word

If you are older and have an existing health condition like hypertension or diabetes, you have a higher risk of severe symptoms and potential loss of life from corona, so you must take every precaution to avoid contracting the virus.

For young and healthy individuals, risks are much lower. If you ever contract the virus, you may experience mild symptoms and fully recover from it after a few weeks.

Some individuals may not show any symptoms but are already infected. Social distancing should be practiced to avoid spreading the virus to high-risk individuals.