Eat Well! Stay Well!

From Business Today

Please note: I am NOT a doctor, a nurse, or a certified nutritionist. I am a former reporter who loves research. I have researched some nutritional articles about ways to use food to help build up your immunity in this time of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Please heed the advice of local, state and federal officials...whoever the authorities are where you live. Eat well, stay well!

We're all in this together.
The COVID-19 virus has the whole world on lockdown. People are afraid to go out and medical experts are all warning us to not gather in groups. The federal government strongly suggests that we wear face masks when going out in public.
We're doing all that, but are there nutritional steps we can take to help fight the coronavirus?
As of this moment there is no cure. However, we can certainly increase our chances of fending off the disease by boosting our immune system.
A strong immune system can keep you from ever getting the virus. Or, if you do get it, it can literally, be the difference between life and death.
Here are some common sense nutritional tips that will help get your body's natural defenses built up for the continued battle to come.

Eat Fruit

Fruits are packed with Vitamin C. We all know that Vitamin C is the secret weapon in keeping col and flu at bay.The vitamin's main weapon is protecting your cells from oxidative stress. It produces specialized cells that trigger an immune response. And it's not juoomsst citrus...everyone thinks oranges and grapefruits. Think avocado, kiwis and tomatoes also. And green leafy vegetables are full of the vitamin as well.

Eat Leafy Green Vegetables 

Don't crawl under the table. Green leafy vegetables are good. We have good recipes (like this) on this blog that will turn you around if you don't love them already. And there are more to come. Green leafy veggies are loaded with the B vitamins (like B6, B9, B12)....these are the first responders once a pathogen has been detected in the body. B6 and B9 are also found in legumes and nuts.

Eat Nuts and Berries

And, who doesn't love nuts and berries? What better way to bring a load of fresh into your time indoors. Also, nuts and berries could do your body some good. Nuts are a good source of fiber and protein and many nuts are rich in selenium, which is an antioxidant which reduces inflammation and helps boost immunity. Like most fruits, berries are loaded with  Vitamin C, antioxidants and soluble fiber. Nutritionists report the soluble fiber changes the "personality" of immune cells—they go from being pro-inflammatory cells to anti-inflammatory and become healing cells that help us recover faster from infection.
A single cup serving of berries, which can include raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries can contain as much as 1.1 grams of soluble fibre. That's a tiny, sweet,  powerful punch!

'Shrooms

If you're stuck inside...and, I'm going out on a limb here, you can probably safely go to your window or doorway to soak up a few rays of sun during the day...but if you don't feel safe venturing out into the outside world out make sure you get Vitamin D from an edible source. 
Mushrooms are a great source of this critical source. We think mushrooms sit in the dark and grow, but they actually use the sun to help produce Vitamin D from a molecule called provitamin D2.

Garlic

Garlic can keep you safe from vampires, but can it keep you safe from infection? We don't have a cure for the coronavirus, but garlic will help boost your immunity. 

Garlic contains compounds that help the immune system fight germs. When you crush or chew it, a compound called alliin turns into allicin. The allicin gives the garlic that distinctive taste (and smell) because it contains sulfur.

When you break down garlic (chop it fine, crush it, mince it), it converts into the compounds that give garlic the medicinal properties that have been revered by people for centuries. 

While you are at home, with nothing to do, start experimenting with some recipes you don't normally have the time or energy to cook. Take advantage of the time you are cooped up! Keep in mind that you will feel better in your daily activities if you have a positive attitude.

Cook  -  Smile -  Eat Well