COVID-19 cases are spiking what can you do to improve your body’s immunity?
You’ve heard it by now many times by now that people with underlying health conditions are most at-risk to COVID-19 and chronic diseases are often the result of poor diet quality.
“Diet that’s eaten day-in-and-day-out that’s deficient in what we would call micronutrients, or key vitamins and minerals help our body to have an optimally functioning immune system.”
Dr. Kristi Artz is Medical Director of Lifestyle Medicine and lead physician of the Culinary Medicine program at Spectrum Health. She recommends we boost our immune systems to better protect ourselves against COVID-19. At the very least, it will help our bodies heal from its exposure.
“And the way that we do that is through centering our diet on whole plant foods. And so, what I mean by that is not only fruits and vegetables, but wholes grains, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds, and spices. Herbs and spices as well because they have a significant, high proportion of antioxidants that also help our immune system and help to reduce inflammation that results from an acute viral illness for example.”
Dr. Artz recommends zinc-rich foods like beans and legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds. Also, Vitamin C found in citrus fruits, broccoli, bell peppers, strawberries and brussels sprouts.
Finally, adding a Vitamin D supplement.
I’m Patrick Center