Antioxidants Importance In Covid Pandemic

The COVID-19 is an acute and contagious disease characterized by pneumonia and ARDS.

The impact of COVID-19 is highly complex and involves in suppression of our immune response, it induces oxidative stress followed by hyper inflammation-causing lung injury, tissue fibrosis, and pneumonia.

Several elements and compounds have a proven ability of immune-boosting, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects. These include antioxidants like Zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C, curcumin, cinnamaldehyde, probiotics, selenium, lactoferrin, quercetin, etc. Grouping some of these phytonutrients in the right combination in the form of a food supplement may help to boost the immune system, prevent virus spread, and prevent 

The disease to on a severe stage, and further suppress the hyper inflammation providing therapeutic support against COVID-19.

Several shreds of evidence indicate that many nutritional supplements from various spices, herbs, fruits, roots, and vegetables can reduce the risk or severity of a wide range of viral infections by boosting the immune response, particularly among people with inadequate dietary sources and also by their anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging, and viricidal functions. 

Good Sources Of Specific Antioxidants Include:

• Allium sulphur compounds – leeks, onions and garlic

• Anthocyanins – eggplant, grapes and berries

• Beta-carotene – pumpkin, mangoes, apricots, carrots, spinach and parsley

• Catechins – red wine and tea

• Copper – seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts

• Cryptoxanthins – red capsicum, pumpkin and mangoes

• Flavonoids – tea, green tea, citrus fruits, red wine, onion and apples

• Indoles – cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower

• Isoflavonoids – soybeans, tofu, lentils, peas and milk

• Lignans – sesame seeds, bran, whole grains and vegetables

• Lutein – green, leafy vegetables like spinach, and corn

• Lycopene – tomatoes, pink grapefruit and watermelon

• Manganese – seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts

• Polyphenols – thyme and oregano

• Selenium – seafood, offal, lean meat and whole grains

• Vitamin A – liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, milk, and egg yolks

• Vitamin C – oranges, blackcurrants, kiwifruit, mangoes, broccoli, spinach, capsicum and strawberries

• Vitamin E – vegetable oils (such as wheat germ oil), avocados, nuts, seeds and whole grains

• Zinc – seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts

• Zoochemical – red meat, offal and fish. Also derived from the plants that animals eat.

 

Thus, it is extremely important for every individual; to include antioxidants in their daily diet, which will help them have better immunity and be safe.

Dr. Jayashree Todkar is a reputed obesity surgeon in Pune offering personal consultation and treatments like hernia treatment, gallbladder stone treatment & weight loss surgery in Pune.