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Mushrooms contain a number of vitamins and minerals that can help boost your immune system. — Photos: Filepic

Natural ways to defend your body against respiratory diseases

Designing, developing and testing new antiviral drugs can take years. Currently, there are no antiviral drugs that specifically cure Covid-19, so supportive treatments are usually used to manage symptoms.

Research is emerging that certain vitamins and herbal foods might be able to help prevent Covid-19 and other illnesses.

Vitamins D and K

There is growing evidence that vitamin D, as well as possibly vitamins K and A, might help combat Covid-19. According to research, these supplements and compounds might bind to the SARS-CoV-2 virus’ spike protein, thereby reducing its infectivity. A vitamin or supplement cannot cure Covid-19.

However, if you have fairly mild symptoms and don’t have any other medical conditions that might put you at risk of developing complications (e.g. over 65 years of age, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, heart disease, kidney disease, HIV, asthma or undergoing cancer treatment), you might find taking the right amount of these vitamins and supplements helpful.

Elderberry

Colds, influenza and bacterial sinus infections can be treated with elderberry syrup, which contains antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces the swelling of the mucus membranes. Elderberry extract may reduce the duration of influenza, so some believe it may improve your immune system’s resistance to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Zinc

The duration of rhinovirus colds can be shortened by taking zinc throat lozenges or cold remedies containing zinc (such as syrups and tablets). Symptoms such as nasal congestion (stuffed nose), nasal drainage (runny nose), sore throat and cough are also relieved sooner with zinc.

The US National Institute of Health has found that zinc stimulates the production and activation of T-cells (T-lymphocytes) in the immune system. You should start taking zinc within 24 hours of experiencing symptoms for a faster recovery.

Do consult your doctor before taking more than one zinc medication to ensure you prevent any adverse reactions.

Acai berries are rich in antioxidants and have been hailed as a superfood by the healthy living movement. — Eli Duke/Flickr

Mushrooms

The immune system runs at its best when mushrooms are consumed regularly, as they contain selenium, riboflavin and niacin. Moreover, mushrooms contain polysaccharides, a type of sugar- like molecule that boosts immunity.

B complex vitamins

Your immune system needs vitamin B6 to stay healthy. You can easily get your daily allowance of vitamin B from fortified cereals, as a supplement, or in a multivitamin.

Astragalus

There is a medicinal use for astragalus root, which is a herb. In addition to treating common colds, upper respiratory infections, seasonal allergies and swine flu (caused by the H1N1 influenza virus), astragalus also fights other bacteria and viruses.

There isn’t much research on its effectiveness against illness, but 160mg of astragalus root extract taken daily for three to six weeks improved symptoms such as running nose, itching and sneezing.

Vitamin C

It is generally believed that vitamin C can reduce the symptoms of a cold if you take it prior to getting sick. A major symptom of Covid-19 is lung inflammation, which can cause respiratory distress, or even death.

Vitamin C reduces inflammation by acting as an antioxidant. It’s not harmful to take vitamin C on a regular basis. Also, vitamin C is water soluble and is easily excreted in the urine.

Selenium

The root of the Astragalus plant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various diseases for many centuries. — Wikimedia Commons

The mineral selenium has a number of uses, including preventing bird flu and swine flu, which are both caused by type A influenza viruses. Selenium is a potent antioxidant that may boost immune function.

The body requires selenium to make proteins that prevent damage to tissues caused by inflammation. There is public health and experimental evidence that low selenium levels can increase the virulence and mutation rate of some viruses due to the body’s failure to control inflammation.

Licorice root

Gargling with licorice root may ease the pain associated with sore throats caused by viral infections (including possibly Covid-19), according to a 2009 study published in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia.

Additionally, licorice root can ease congestion and reduce inflammation. You can also chew licorice root or drink it as a tea.

Garlic

The antiviral properties of garlic may help reduce cold, flu and Covid-19 symptoms. According to a study, garlic supplements prevented colds more effectively than placebo pills during the cold season.

Additionally, garlic may shorten the duration of a cold. Garlic can be taken both fresh and as a supplement.

Curcumin

Curcumin comes from the Curcuma longa plant, more popularly known as turmeric. Its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties make it useful in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine.

In a study published in the journal Molecules, researchers found that curcumin can help the body’s immune system fight inflammation.

Andrographis

Among its many uses in medicine, andrographis is commonly taken as a painkiller, fever reducer, and cold and flu remedy. Taking andrographis extract with Siberian ginseng within 72 hours of feeling ill may improve common cold symptoms.

The combination may even be more effective than amantadine, a drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent Asian flu, caused by the A(H2N2) virus, and other influenza type A viral infections.

While you may not want to consume too much garlic in its original form, it also comes in the form of a pill.

 Acai berry

Research is exploring the benefits of acai berries for treating a variety of conditions, and they are often hailed as a general health and immune system booster.

Echinacea

The effectiveness of echinacea for treating cold symptoms varies depending on the research conducted. A study suggests that taking echinacea can reduce the risk of getting a cold by 45% to 58%.

However, other research shows that taking echinacea doesn’t prevent colds when exposed to viruses that cause them. Echinacea is a popular supplement, but given that the research results are a mixed bag, treat it as a herbal supplement that may or may not provide benefits.

Propolis

Propolis is a resinous material derived from the buds of poplar and cone-bearing trees. It is used for its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.

Taking propolis may help reduce the duration or prevent the onset of common colds and other upper respiratory tract infections.

Final note

It is possible for vitamins and supplements to interact with one another, as well as with prescription and over-the-counter drugs in your system. Do consult your doctor before starting a supplement regimen, and inform him or her of all the medications and supplements you are taking to ensure that this does not happen.

By Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar
Published in Star Newspaper, 08 Aug 2022

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