Fear of Omicron BF.7: Tips to strengthen immunity in the context of increasing number of Covid cases globally | Health
Covid infection due to latest Sub-variant Omicron BF.7 is wreaking havoc in China and has been detected in many countries including India. So far, 4 cases of sub-variant have been found in states like Gujarat and Odisha and with the situation getting worse in China, preparations to deal with this new Covid scare It’s happening in full swing right now. Experts say people should bring masks back into their lives, maintain Limit social contact, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water at regular intervals, inject this booster if due, and follow all Covid-appropriate measures. The symptoms of the new highly infectious sub-variant are not very different from the previous variant omicron but is highly contagious, meaning it can infect others very quickly and has a shorter incubation period. (Also read: Omicron BF.7: Increased cases of highly infectious strain in India; specialist in symptoms, precautions and new waves)
In addition, boosting your immunity can always help people avoid catching Covid. Eating right, staying physically active, avoiding dehydration, and improving sleep hygiene can help our immune systems better cope with illness.
“After the last two or three waves of Covid, people have become aware of the importance of immunity to fight infections. Previously as a nutritionist, I’ve seen people try everything and everything to fight Covid, some people even mistakenly believe that eating functional foods. /have kadas, have herbs, drink coconut water daily, etc. will recover faster if infected with Covid. Many products and supplements are available on the market that claim to boost immunity, but supporting a healthy immune system is more complicated than taking a vitamin and mineral blend packaged in a form. pill/powder or kada,” said Dr Charu Dua, Director of Clinical Nutrition, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.
HOW TO IMPROVE IMMUNITY ONLY OMICRON BF.7 ASKED
“Your immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect your body from infection and disease. Immunity itself is not a reality. Your immune system works in a very delicate balance. It should be strong and sophisticated enough to fight a variety of diseases and infections, but not so strong that it overreacts. To achieve this, it’s very tightly controlled by many inputs and reacts to what’s going on inside your body. As we said, complex. Dua says a person’s immunity depends on age, gender, physical activity level, ability to cope with stress, lifestyle and diet, among other factors.
Here are Dr. Dua’s tips for building and maintaining a healthy immune system. Immunity won’t build in a day or a month, and it’s an ongoing, consistent endeavor. Here are the things to keep in mind.
vaccination
Your immune system is smart, but vaccines train it to be even smarter — helping it learn to recognize and fight certain diseases. Your immune system learns through vaccinations that it is much safer than catching these harmful germs.
Eat a healthy diet
Avoid eating too much salt, processed foods, junk food. Eat 3 vegetables and 2 fruits every day. Half your plate should consist of fruits and vegetables, leafy vegetables, roots and tubers, and other vegetables. One-quarter of the plate should be cereal/millen and the other quarter should include protein-rich foods such as beans, legumes, eggs, meat foods and nuts; followed by a moderate amount of vegetable oils/fats. A glass of milk or dairy products such as curd, paneer, etc. should come with the plate.
All minerals and vitamins are recommended instead of using man-made supplements to fill in the gaps. For a great immune system, studies have shown that the body needs minimal amounts of Vitamins A, B, C, D and E along with minerals like iron, zinc, selenium, copper, etc. phytonutrients, amino acids, and essential fatty acids for optimal immune function. It should all be taken from natural sources rather than drugs. These nutrients are important for the function of T cells, B cells, killer cells, macrophages, neutrophils/granulocytes involved in the destruction and elimination of microorganisms. infectious bacteria.
Regular physical activity
Physical activity not only builds muscle but also produces positive hormones that help you reduce stress. It is also an important part of staying healthy and supporting a healthy immune system. It also contributes to blood sugar control, improves a person’s lung function and capacity, prevents cardiovascular conditions, and helps build strong bones.
Avoid dehydration
Make sure you drink enough water every day. An easy way to check if you are dehydrated is to monitor the color of your urine. If it is clear or light yellow then the body is getting enough water, if it is dark yellow then you are dehydrated and need more water. Water does not strengthen your immunity but it also helps to remove toxins from the body and prevent diseases that can occur due to the accumulation of these toxins.
Improve sleep hygiene
Sleep is important for immune function and immune system homeostasis, so create a sleep schedule and routine, and practice good sleep hygiene.
Reduce stress or manage your stress
Long-term stress leads to inflammation, which can alter your immune system. Stress is likely to have a secondary effect on how well your immune system works if it leads to sleep disturbances, a tendency to eat less healthy foods, reduced water intake, less exercise. more often, etc. Get used to deep breathing, meditation, prayer, yoga or exercise – these activities will help reduce stress.
Don’t go overboard with supplements or kadas
Beware of claims that supplements/drugs boost your immunity and listen to your doctor’s advice instead. For people with existing gastritis, stomach ulcers, duodenal onions, spices can cause unwanted effects. Patients with kidney/liver disease/cancer or any other chronic disease should not consume additional herbs and spices in the name of Covid without taking them as appropriately prescribed by a dietician.
Keep washing your hands
The Covid-19 pandemic has drawn a lot of attention on the importance of hand washing. One of the best ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases is to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water. It also serves as an important line of defense against Covid-19.
Follow Covid-appropriate behavior
Wear a mask when going out or in crowded places and always cover your nose and mouth properly, maintain 6 feet social distance, wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds.
