By: David Heber, M.D., PhD,
FACP, FASN – Chairman, Herbalife Nutrition Institute
 |
| (Grabbed from Dr. Heber's Facebook Page) |
The 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19,
has taken the world by surprise with its highly infectious nature and mortality
rate.
What’s most concerning is that while we know that
COVID-19 is part of a large family of viruses that include Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
(SARS-CoV), there are many traits of this virus that we have yet to uncover,
such as the dynamics of transmission. According to the World Health Organization
(WHO), it could take up to 18 months for the first
COVID-19 vaccines to be made publicly available.
Only an approved drug can treat or cure, or prevent
the transmission of, COVID-19 and other diseases. In the absence of any vaccine to date, we are
left with practical prevention measures, such as maintaining proper hygiene, wearing
a mask when necessary, or maintaining social distancing. It may also be useful to keep our bodies
strong, so that our immune systems function well.
After all, our immune system is one of the most
effective forms of defense against viral infections. There are two categories
of immune functions in everyone’s body – the innate
immunity which prevents diseases from entering the body and adaptive immunity
which eliminates or prevent the growth of pathogens, such as viruses and
bacteria, in our body.
However, increasing the body’s immunity is not as
straightforward as it sounds. There remains much about the immune system that
researchers are still working to understand, but what we do know is the tangible
connection between the immune
system and nutrition.
How nutrition impacts the body’s immune system
To understand how nutrition and diet affect an
individual’s immune system, we need to delve deeper into the role of
epigenetics – the study of biological mechanisms that switch our genes on and
off.
While the idea of epigenetics might seem complex,
consider the example of honeybees. Despite having the same DNA sequence,
honeybees produce three different organisms – workers, drones and queens – and
this is dependent on the diet that the larvae are fed. This demonstrates that
while all worker bees are born with the genetic ability to become queens, the
workers’ diet ultimately affects how their genes are expressed and manifest
physically.
In the same vein, while all humans are 99.9%
genetically identical, epigenetics make us unique by the different combinations
of genes that turn on and off – which explains why some of us have red hair and
others black, or why some of us have darker or lighter skin, for instance.
What we eat, where we live, how much we sleep, how we
exercise, and even who we live with, all causes chemical reactions that can
alter our health status. Added to the mix is our microbiome, which are the
microorganisms we depend on to protect us against germs, break down food for
energy, produce vital vitamins and bolster our immune system.
The largest part of the immune system - approximately
70% of it – is located near the intestines, which monitors the intake of food
and how the body uses it. This makes it critical for us to consume a balanced
diet with the right vitamins, minerals and nutrients while maintaining a
healthy lifestyle. This requires more than just changing the intake of one or
two nutrients but involves balancing the entire diet to ensure that there is
optimal nutrition intake at a cellular level.
Four essential groups of nutrients to help individuals
strengthen their immune system
1. Protein
Also known as the basic building blocks of the body,
protein allows the body to manufacture antibodies that it requires to defend
against invading viruses and bacteria. To ensure that we have sufficient levels
of protein in our diet, we can eat more healthy protein foods such as fish,
poultry, lean meats, soy foods and low-fat dairy products.
2. Vitamins and
phytonutrients
Vitamins A and
C, as well as phytonutrients are key players in immune system health. As one of
the biggest immune system boosters, Vitamin C encourages our body to produce
antibodies that fight diseases. It is essential to maintain a daily intake of
vitamin C as the body does not produce or store it. Vitamin A supports the
health of our skin, tissues of our digestive tract and respiratory system.
Phytonutrients,
which are found in vegetables and fruits, reduces our body’s oxidative stress,
which may weaken its ability to fight off illnesses. A number of phytonutrients
have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases, fight
inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and boost the overall health of our
immunity system.
3.
Probiotics and prebiotics
The digestive
system plays a central role in supporting immune function. The intestinal tract
is the main route of contact with the external environment and is a pathway
that contains microbiomes that aids digestion as well as the absorption of
nutrients. Having the right gut bacteria has been associated with benefits such
as weight loss, improved digestion, healthier skin, and most importantly
enhanced immune function, although research in these areas is not conclusive or
universally applicable.
Studies have
shown that probiotics, which are ‘good bacteria’, are useful in maintaining the
digestive system, and prebiotics, types of fiber that the human body cannot
digest, serve as food for these probiotics.
4.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA and EPA, are healthy
and essential types of fat which can be found in food such as chia seed and
supplements such as fish oil. Omega-3 fatty acids may enhance the functions of
immune cells, which plays a large role in both the innate and adaptive system
that responds to infections.
Nutrition is no substitute for an effective drug, and
it won’t prevent you from contracting COVID-19 or other diseases. Maintaining a strong immune system, though,
is something all healthy people can do.
About Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.
Herbalife Nutrition is a global
company that has been changing people's lives with great nutrition products and
a proven business opportunity for its independent members since
1980. The Company offers high-quality, science-backed products, sold
in over 90 countries by entrepreneurial members who provide
one-on-one coaching and a supportive community that inspires their customers to
embrace a healthier, more active lifestyle. Through the Company’s global
campaign to eradicate hunger, Herbalife Nutrition is also committed to bringing
nutrition and education to communities around the world.
For more information, please visit IAmHerbalifeNutrition.com.
Herbalife Nutrition also encourages investors to visit its
investor relations website at ir.herbalife.com as financial and
other information is updated and new information is posted.
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