The Role of Diet in Immunity and It’s Impact on COVID-19

Written by Tessy

The COVID-19 pandemic is creating a wide range of instability that impacts individuals living from food access, income disruptions, emotional stress, healthcare access and so much more. The most important and most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are handwashing, social distancing and, incorporating the use of masks.

Good nutrition as we know plays a very important role in our immunity and helps prevent the risk and severity of the development of infectious diseases. People who eat poorly and do not eat a balanced diet combined with fruits and vegetables in their daily intake lack the necessary vitamins to help boost their immune system. Poor nutritional intake combined with chronic diseases and severe infections often leads to nutritional deficiencies that worsen the nutritional status of those impacted. It is very important to adhere to good dietary practices and pay attention to our diet and nutritional status during this Covid-19 pandemic.

Evidence has shown that people with chronic conditions such as DM, HTN, and cancer are disproportionately affected due to poor nutritional intake which weakens their immune system and predisposes them to increased risk for morbidity and mortality when exposed to the Covid-19 virus. A healthy balanced diet as depicted by Healthy Eating Plate, emphasizes the importance of daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. Also recommended in the daily nutritional intake is the consumption of fish, dairy foods, poultry that helps boost the immune system. Limitation of red and processed meat, refined carbohydrates, and sugar is also encouraged, while the use of canola oils, olive or soybeans oil is preferred.

A healthy diet that has adequate amounts of minerals and vitamins helps to boost our immune cells and antibodies which help to mount adequate an response in our body to prevent the development of infections diseases such as the Covid-19.

Citation: Nutrition and Immunity: Balancing Diet and Immune Function : Nutrition Today (lww.com)