Coronavirus has set everyone in a panic mode. Taking necessary measures play a vital role in preventing coronavirus. However, it has been reported that people with compromised immunity are more prone to suffer from severe effects of coronavirus than those with healthy immunity.
Hence, maintaining a healthy immunity can play a vital role in preventing as well as mitigating the impact of coronavirus if affected. Enriching the respiratory system is also essential as it can ward off or control the spread of coronavirus in the body.
Below listed are a few techniques that you can adopt to boost immunity and enrich your respiratory health.
Foods are one of the essential sources to enrich the body’s immune system. Although they are not a replacement for medicines or treatment, they can help in coping up with any infections that attack the body. Below listed are a few such foods that you must consider:
Broccoli is one of the most prominent superfoods that is often recommended by health experts around the globe. It is loaded with all the essential nutrients, including vitamin C &K, iron, potassium, and fiber. The protein content of broccoli is much higher than most of the vegetables. These and other vital components of broccoli enriches immune health(1), cardiovascular, and digestive system.
Besides, broccoli is also known to alleviate lung damage, eradicate harmful bacteria, and other pathogens from the lungs. A naturally occurring compound found in broccoli is also known to mitigate respiratory inflammations. Thus, it may help prevent or enrich the recovery process of coronavirus.
Apple has been considered one of the healthiest foods for centuries. They exhibit excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that aid in regulating immune responses (2). Apples also contain certain nutrients that can help in protecting the lungs and improving their functions (3). Besides, they also help in enriching the functions of the cardiovascular system and bones, which may be damaged due to infections like coronavirus.
Ginger is one of the best natural sources to fight cold, chills, and fever. The potent antioxidants in it are also known to boost the immune system naturally (4). The calcium and magnesium in ginger can help in maintaining healthy bones, while zinc can play a vital role in promoting the immune system. It is also known to reduce shortness of breath, inflammations in the lungs (5), and break down the mucus for easy expulsion.
Walnuts are rich in antioxidants and vitamins that are highly beneficial in boosting immune health (6). They regulate sleep, which reduces stress in the body, which can, in turn, improve your immune system.
Besides can also be useful for digestive and heart health, which could be compromised when attacked by coronavirus or other infections. Walnuts are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, one of the essential compounds that may help in reducing inflammation and fights infections in the lungs.
5. Red bell peppers
The rich antioxidant properties and vitamin A & C, contents of red bell peppers are helpful in promoting immune health. Vitamin C in it may also enrich the production of antibodies and white blood cells which can help the body in fighting or preventing infections.
They can also protect the lungs from radical damage or infections. Viral infections can cause inflammation in the body. In such cases, red bell peppers can come in handy as they are known to reduce inflammation.
Other Techniques to Promote Immune System
Although foods are the primary source of nutrition, enriching your body and mind are also essential to promote your immune system. Sleep and stress-free mind are two vital exercises that everyone must follow to promote your health during this pandemic of coronavirus.
Sleep plays a vital role in improving health and boosting the immune system (7). It helps in redistributing the energy to help the brain and muscles enrich the immune functions. During this phase, the brain recharges itself, cleans up toxins, and promotes overall health.
Sleeping helps in inhibiting the inflammation by reducing the potency of toxic compounds. Besides, it creates an environment for perfect hormone secretion, which promotes the health of various organs in the body. All these factors enable the immune system to utilize significant amounts of energy that helps in building and regulating a proper immune system.
On the other hand, poor sleep can lead to irritability, fatigue, headaches, and disrupt normal functions. In such cases, the immune system’s energy is redirected into warding those conditions of which can reduce your body’s capability to fight any foreign pathogens in your body.
In general, it is suggested that a person must have a regular routine of 7 to 9 hours of sleep every day. Hence, proper sleep can build your body’s defense mechanism against coronavirus, flu, or other diseases.
Regular exercise of 30 minutes a day can be very beneficial in boosting the immune system. It, in turn, can help the body fight off infections. Besides, sweating during exercise can flush out pathogens or toxic compounds that can otherwise damage your health. Exercises exhibit a positive response on antibodies and WBC to circulate more rapidly, which can detect illnesses in earlier stages and prevent infections.
On a much positive note, it promotes smoother blood flow and oxygen delivery to the lungs, which helps lungs function at a much higher level.
Lunges, skipping rope, sit-ups, and push-ups are some of the best exercise that you can practise at home.
Exercising your lungs speeds up the recovery process. Practicing breathing exercises can increase oxygen levels and remove stale air from the respiratory tract (8).
Chronic stress levels impede the immune system (9), which can disrupt the body’s healing and recovering process against diseases and infections. When stressed, the immune system loses its ability to ward off viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. It, in turn, makes the body more susceptible to infections. When the body is free of psychological stress, the immune system works at its optimal level. It can help in fighting colds, flu, fatigue, and even in enriching the body’s ability to fight conditions like coronavirus.
Besides, when any pathogens or diseases infect you, it is essential to keep your mind stress free. If you’re stressed, your brain focuses on promoting neurotransmitters to keep uplift or regulate your mental health. On the other hand, if your psychological levels are healthy, your brain and body have a much higher capacity to fight off pathogens.
Yes, coronavirus is dangerous, and preventive measures are highly effective. But, adding the foods mentioned above to your diet can help in boosting the immune system, which can be helpful in effectively fighting coronavirus. Besides, these foods can also increase the ability of lungs to fight coronavirus or speed recovery after the treatment.
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