Now that many are spending less time outdoors on confinement orders to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, experts recommend taking vitamin supplements to protect ...
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in a new window)
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in a new window)
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in a new window)
- Click to email a friend (Opens in a new window)
Vitamin D: where do you find it and how is it better to consume it 0:34
(CNN) - Britons who are spending less time outdoors as a result of coronavirus confinement orders have been recommended to take vitamin D supplements to protect their health.
Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist for the Public Health Service in England, said that people may not get all the vitamin D they need from sunlight during confinement.
"To protect your bone and muscle health, you should consider taking a daily supplement that contains 10 micrograms of vitamin D," Tedstone said in an emailed statement.
"With the country in confinement to save lives and to protect the National Health Service (NHS), many people spend more time at home and may not get all the vitamin D they need from sunlight." he added.
- Vitamin D: what is it ?, what foods have it ?, and everything you need to know
GALLERY | Eight foods to boost your immune system
1 of 8 | Chicken Soup - Chicken soup is not only good for your health. It is also good if you do not feel in good health. The bone broth in chicken soup contains collagen, which can help boost your immune system, plus it has amino acids and nutrients that help prevent inflammation, which leads to weakening of your immune system. The hot liquid also helps you stay hydrated and prevents you from losing any secretions.
2 of 8 | Yogurt - Yogurt is a natural source of probiotics, also known as "good bacteria" that live in your gut. Studies have linked good intestinal health with a more immune system, better sleep quality, good digestion, among others. The probiotics found in yogurt help keep the intestinal tract free of disease-causing bacteria and germs, according to Alissa Rumsey spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
3 of 8 | Fish fat - Your heart isn't the only one that can benefit from a dose of omega 3 fatty acids. “Fish fat, found in salmon and tuna, contains omega 3 fatty acids that can help control inflammation of your body ”, says Maxine Yeung, founder of 'The Wellness Whisk'. It is important to consume anti-inflammation foods on a regular basis, but especially when you are not feeling very healthy.
4 of 8
5 out of 8 | Food rich in zinc - Zinc is not a mineral you want to eliminate from your diet. Some studies show that zinc can help shorten the duration of a cold if taken immediately, according to Yeung. This helps regulate the immune system, build and maintain lean body mass, and heal wounds. Foods like oysters, red meat, eggs, fortified cereals, beans and pumpkin seeds contain zinc.
6 out of 8 | Turmeric - This spice is considered a superfood for good reason. It is rich in antioxidants and has great anti-inflammatory properties. The researchers suggest that those qualities make turmeric a strong defense against colds, coughs, and congestion. Try it in a golden milk (milk with turmeric) or use it to season meats, grains, and other healthy foods.
7 of 8 | Fruits and vegetables - It comes as no surprise that vitamin-rich foods are key to maintaining a strong immune system. Vitamins A, C and E are particularly useful. Fruits and vegetables are the best sources of nutrients. Foods high in vitamin A include carrots, dark green leaves, and sweet potatoes. Vitamin C is found in high amounts in citrus fruits, tomatoes, and peppers. Dark green leaves, squash, and avocado are excellent sources of vitamin E.
8 of 8 | Fluids - In addition to consuming healthy foods, it is also very important to be hydrated in order to help keep your throat and airways clear during a cold. But not all drinks help fight disease. Hot tea is a great way to hydrate as it provides warmth and comfort to a sore and irritated throat; It also helps relieve congestion. Experts recommend drinking large amounts of water and eliminating sugary drinks such as sports drinks and artificial juices, since a lot of sugar in your body can cause inflammation and thus the weakening of your immune system.Previously, the health agency had advised people to take vitamin D supplements in the fall and winter. Vitamin D is produced in the skin by the action of sunlight. Good natural sources of vitamin D include fatty fish like salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel, red meat, liver, egg yolks, and fortified foods, such as some breakfast cereals.
Tedstone emphasized that there is insufficient evidence to support the vitamin D recommendation to reduce the risk of covid-19 infection.
Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, keeping bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities, such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.
Some research suggests that vitamin D supplements may help protect against acute respiratory tract infections.
Dr. Michael Holick, a vitamin D research expert at Boston University who has published more than 500 articles and 18 books on the subject, told CNN last month that the vitamin regulates the production of a protein that "selectively kills infectious agents, including bacteria and viruses. "
Vitamin D also alters the activity and number of white blood cells, known as T2 killer lymphocytes, which can reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses, Holick added.
vitamins
/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/prisa/PCE7NMB26ZDVRIQX2R26JSNH6A.jpg)