Eating Right Through Covid

It is important to maintain a bullet-proof immunity system more than ever, and eating the right kinds of food is key…

While seasonal influenza has been a concern across the world for a while now, a new public health challenge has emerged in the form of the coronavirus pandemic, that has led to more than five million cases globally. Many countries, including India, have implemented drastic measures, ranging from lockdowns to travel bans, to slow down the spread of the disease.

In addition, simple public health practices can also help reduce the spread of the coronavirus infection—regular hand washing, avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands, avoiding close contact with sick people, and disinfecting frequently touched objects. Another important way to help reduce the risk of viral infections is to build a more robust immune system, via adequate nutrition and a healthy diet.

Although nutritious food is a key requirement to maintain good health and boost immunity, thus helping prevent diseases, people do not give it enough importance, perhaps due to lack of awareness and busy lifestyles. The typical Indian is undergoing a nutritional shift, resulting in a diet that is high-fat, high-salt and high-sugar, with low fiber intake and a sedentary lifestyle. A large number of Indians have a lower intake of vitamins and other micronutrients that what is needed, e.g. Zinc, and Vitamins C and D. Also, a typical Indian diet may not include the essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, since these are found primarily in fish oil. These nutrition gaps can lead to a rise in lifestyle diseases, as well as lower immunity levels, leaving us vulnerable to viral infections.

NUTRITION IN EARLY LIFE