With novaccine and sure treatment available, Sars-CoV-2 viral infection popularlycalled as Covid19 infection, is actually a microscopic war between the virusand the immune system of an individual. The immune system of an individualwhich has evolved over millions of years of fighting pathogens is the reasonthe human and animal species still exist. Before this war between the virus andthe immune system begins at the cellular level, the virus slips into the bodyevading the primary defenses in the mucous in nose and throat. The deadly virusis also trying to disguise its presence to avoid the chemical alarm system ofthe immune system playing deadly game of hide and seek.
The latestreports from the country’s premier research institute, ICMR are coming thataround 80% of infected cases are asymptomatic, some showing no symptoms, somemild and some typical to the infection. The overall mortality percentage of theinfection globally has been reported to be 3.4%.
Well, thepoint is clear that individual’s immune system to infectious agents plays themajor role and perhaps is presently the only defense mechanism in absence ofvaccine and the treatment to cure and prevent the disease. Among the variousfactors dietary alterations are important tools to boost the immune system andincrease the capacity of an individual to fight the virus and get early cure tothe disease. Proper nourishment and hydration are vital to have a robust immunesystem of an individual. People who eat a well balanced diet tend to behealthier with strong immune system and lower risk of infectious diseases.
Followingare a few dietary requirements to boost the immune system of an individual:
1. Drinkenough of boiled water to ensure proper hydration of the body and avoiddehydration.
2. Besideswater, lemon juice (diluted with water and unsweetened), tea specificallyNamkeen tea (salted tea) that besides ensuring hydration, contain salt andcause saline throat gargling.
3. Consumefresh seasonal fruits that with reference to India include grapes, bananas,strawberries, oranges, mangoes etc
4. Consumefresh vegetables carrots, tomatoes, spinach, knolkhol, potatoes and pulses
5. Consumefoods from animal sources like eggs, chicken, mutton, fish, milk and cheese
6. Avoidconsuming foods high in salt, sugar and fat
7. Forsnacks take only raw unprocessed vegetables and fresh fruits.
8. Avoidovercooking of vegetables and other food items like milk and meat to avoidunnecessary loss of nutrients particularly vitamins.
9. Consumefoods supplying unsaturated fats like fishes, nuts and other dry fruits ratherthan consuming too much fatty meat, ghee and cheese
10. Choosewhite meat (chicken and fish) rather than red meat
WHORecommendations: A total intake of the aforesaid dietary components asrecommended by WHO include 8-10 glasses of water per day, 2 cups of mixedfruits (4 servings), 2.5 cups of vegetables (5 servings), 180gms of grains, 160gm of meat and beans, red meat can be eaten 1-2 times per week and poultry 2-3times per week.
To sum up itis advisable besides other measures, proper advisories must be issued forpeople to take good food to improve their immune system to overcome and fightthis pandemic. Further the patients quarantined by government for being Sars-CoV-2viral infection suspects or already infected must be given a proper combinationof vegetables, fruits, proteins and adequate water and beverages as discussedabove enabling them to overcome the viral infection for only a robust immunesystem of an individual can fight the deadly virus efficiently and accurately.
Dr Parvaiz Ahmed Reshi, Ph.D, is Senior Assistant Professor, Division of Animal Nutrition, SKUAST, Kashmir