Today, during this global pandemic, it’s important to focus on physical and mental health. You probably know the phrase “a healthy mind in a healthy body”. It has never been more true than it is now.
A strong immune system has been shown to combat any virus, prevent a vast majority of diseases (including mental diseases), and reduce mortality. So, what we need to do to achieve a strong and healthy body and to be able to fight off coronavirus? Below are 4 tips that can help you can boost your immune system.
1. Increase your levels of NAD
Scientists believe that coronavirus reduced the body’s nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels. NAD is essential for energy metabolism and keeping normal cell functioning. Increasing the NAD levels in your body will help you combat chronic age-related conditions and infections.
While keeping normal NAD levels is beneficial, sharply decreased levels can be too harmful to your body. It can lead to abnormal changes in immune functioning and provoke a hyperimmune cytokine storm. Too low NAD levels can also disrupt the work of sirtuins – the proteins that regulate cellular health which makes your body more likely to develop severe symptoms of the infection.
2. Manage your weight
Excess weight is extremely harmful to your health. The more extra pounds you have the more you are prone to infections, including coronavirus. Scientists still don’t know a lot about COVID-19. It’s still unknown what makes a relatively healthy individual react inadequately to the virus. Or why other people can have mild symptoms or don’t even experience any symptoms. It might have to do with our longevity genes.
The best way to ensure these longevity genes is to follow a healthy lifestyle. We all know that a “healthy lifestyle” means eating a healthy and nutritious diet, giving up bad habits, and exercising regularly. The more obese you are, the higher your inflammation levels are. Even if you are young and have excess weight, you are still more prone to die from things like infection. Even while we are in self-isolation, we still need to be active and follow a balanced and proper diet.
3. Improve your levels of vitamin D
Experts are sure that getting an adequate amount of vitamin D is crucial for maintaining a healthy immune system. This is especially true for people who don’t live in a sunny region or can’t go outside, like the elderly, or during the winter for people in higher latitudes.
Actually even before this pandemic, most people had low levels of vitamin D. This is something you need to consider since the immune cells depend on vitamin D to work well. When our vitamin D levels are low, our immune systems can give us a ride.
Therefore, people who have about 40 to 60 ng/mL per milliliter of vitamin D in their blood are at low risk of premature death. Moreover, their bodies are able to fight off the infection without developing serious symptoms.
To increase your levels of the sunshine vitamin during quarantine try to eat more eggs and sardines (as these foods are both high in vitamin D). You can try supplementing with the vitamin but don’t overdo it. Consult your primary care physician who will determine the proper dosage of vitamin D for you.
4. Get more alpha-lipoic acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is a nutrient that is used by our bodies for energy production. This means it can improve your body’s ability to create energy through mitochondria. However, this is not the only benefit of alpha-lipoic acid.
You’ve probably heard that one of the first signs of coronavirus infection is a loss of smell. So, alpha-lipoic acid can restore the ability if this symptom occurs. Trying the alpha-lipoic acid supplements will be a nice way to support your immune system.
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