Supporting your immune system with nutritional support may be helpful to protecting against viral infections like COVID-19. Deficiencies of suboptimal intake of vitamins and minerals may negatively impact your immune function and decrease your ability to fight infection. Supplementation with vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids is a safe, effective and low-cost way to help eliminate gaps that may be present in your diet and it can support optimal immune function. This will then improve your ability to fight off infections and reduce the risk and consequences of an infection like COVID-19.
There are upper safety limits to vitamins and minerals and you want to be mindful to not exceed these limits. An increase in vitamin C supplementation above the RDA was found to reduce the risk of both upper and lower respiratory infections. Vitamin D supplementation was studied in a meta analyses and found to also reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections in both children and adults. Supplementing weekly or daily with Vitamin D can aid in protecting you and your children.
Making sure to consume enough omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA aids in producing anti-inflammatory factors. These vitamins and fatty acids can be found in supplements but in food as well. Good sources of vitamin C are red peppers, citrus fruits, strawberries, brussels sprouts and broccoli. Vitamin D sources include; Trout, salmon, mushrooms, fortified milks, and cheeses. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fatty fish like salmon, trout and sardines.
Reference: Calder P, Carr A, Gombart A, et al. Optimal nutritional status for a well-functioning immune system is an important factor to protect against viral infections. Nutrients. 2020;12(4).
