Taking a look through social networks, we find different brands and influencers who recommend taking pills (Booster Immune) to strengthen the immune system and avoid contagion by COVID-19. But, is it possible to improve defenses with a supplement?
We are overwhelmed by information of all kinds. Supplementation, vitamins, food, exercises, etc. We all want to embrace a healthy lifestyle, even if we did not have one before the coronavirus pandemic, so we cannot blame the population for desperately wanting to fight the infection. Unfortunately, nothing is as simple as taking a few pills a day.
How does the immune system and COVID-19 work?
The immune system is a network of organs, white blood cells, and antibodies that is activated every time it detects viruses, bacteria, fungi, or other pathogens that pose a threat to your health.
It could be divided into two parts. The innate It intervenes when a harmful substance enters the body. It could be said to be the body's first line of defense. If it does not remove the threat, the so-called system adaptive It takes over. It's like a special forces unit, producing antibodies to attack and neutralize invaders.
If your immune system is weak, or if it encounters a new or particularly aggressive bug, it can make you sick by not protecting you properly.
In the case of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, it is listed as a "novel" coronavirus because it had not been seen before December 2019. The adaptive system can remember new threats, so next time Once you are exposed to this virus again, your body will recognize it and be better able to fight it. The normal thing is that the first time we are exposed to something unknown, the immune system needs time to have a defense.
According to coronavirus experts, our adaptive immunity takes seven to 10 days to respond. But if there was an effective vaccine, we could develop immunity without having to get sick.
How to stimulate the immune system?
Immune cells need energy and nutrients to function properly. Your immune system can meet these needs through food or from your body's own energy stores. So yes, proper nutrition has great weight in strengthening the immune system.
Science ensures that eating a healthy diet and having an optimal intake of micronutrients can improve defenses, as well as reduce the risk of disease and minimize severity.
Indeed, that supplements are not intended to prevent or treat la Covid. But it is true that there are vitamins and minerals that can have beneficial effects on the immune system. The ideal is to supply ourselves with food, but if your diet is deficient in essential vitamins and minerals, supplements can help to achieve the necessary dose.
In addition to a healthy diet, there are some habits that you should keep in mind so that your body can defend itself without too much trouble. These include:
- Give up smoking
- keep a healthy weight
- Avoid alcohol or consume it in moderation
- Get enough sleep
- stay physically active
- Reduce stress
- Wash hands frequently
- Keeping up with vaccinations
We can clearly say that there is no direct way that can boost defenses. In fact, scientists do not know which cells in the body to stimulate, nor to what level to have immunity.
So about taking supplements or herbs, there is no evidence that they reinforce enough to ensure that you are more protected against diseases and infections.
Is there immunity against coronavirus?
We are all afraid of contracting COVID-19. It is normal, we are facing a virus that we have not seen before, and to which we are not immune.
If you catch coronavirus and recover, your immune system will produce antibodies to fight infection. Those antibodies are expected to protect you in the future, but we can't be sure. Also, even if you did have immunity, scientists don't know how long it really lasts. Some say that it can last between 3 and 7 months.
Logically, the most expected way to have immunity is the vaccine. These prepare the immune system to look for where to attack. Thus, when you are in contact with the virus, your system will recognize it and will be able to attack it.