English
Recipe is based on high consumption of vegetables and fruits, as well as meats that provide protein and minerals, it would be ideal. Forget junk food and exercise.
The advance of the pandemic makes it necessary for people to carry out social isolation, the only measure known so far, which would prevent infections. However, the cloister has led to the elaboration of fatty and caloric dishes in general, as a result of anxiety, which, although they satisfy culinary cravings, are not a source capable of protecting us in case of being infected.
A diet based on antioxidants to strengthen the immune system and thus better cope with the hypothetical contagion by coronavirus recommended by the International Society of Immunonutrition (Isin) and they advise to emphasize fruits and vegetables, which provide antioxidants and nutrients to defend ourselves.
Francisco Moraga, pediatrician and former president of the Chilean Society of Pediatrics (Sochipe), assured that you must have a sufficient energy intake, in order to ensure that a person receives energy according to their age, sex and physical activity.
“An adequate supply of good quality protein is required, that is, one that provides essential amino acids to make the cells of the immune system grow, function properly and multiply when necessary due to an infection,” he explained.
The specialist added that the egg is a protein that delivers essential amino acids for the proliferation of defense cells, to form part of the immunoglobulins (antibodies), “as well as to facilitate the process of repairing tissues damaged by an infection or an accident. ”.
He explained that the egg has antioxidants and Zinc, which participate in the function of enzymes that help control inflammatory processes associated with infections.
Immune system
The immune system defends the body from external attacks. Diet plays an important role for immune mechanisms to work well.
For the nutritionist and doctor in Human Health, Montserrat Victoriano, a balanced diet should always be followed and the strength that the immune system has to protect us will depend on the contribution of vitamins and minerals essential for the immune response.
The professor of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of the University of Concepción (UdeC) explained that in case of Covid-19 symptoms such as fever, muscle pain and diarrhea that has occurred in some infected, the main thing is to stay hydrated with at least a liter and a half of water a day and, in case you cannot eat, you could drink fruit juices that provide natural sugar or fruit puree.
Claudia Troncoso, a nutritionist at the Catholic University of Santísima Concepción (Ucsc), agreed with Victoriano that a balanced diet should be maintained to strengthen the immune system.
The European Food Safety Authority (Efsa), she said, recognizes that vitamins and minerals participate in the proper functioning of the immune system, like probiotics, which is affected by stress.
Fruits and vegetables that provide antioxidants are, for the specialist, the first line of defense of living beings and, in the case of patients affected by Covid-19, as she explained, the important thing is to strengthen recovery with the consumption of fresh food , legumes, eggs, fish, in addition to fruits and vegetables. All this together with proper hydration.
Hydration is vital to eliminate toxins, distribute nutrients, and regulate body temperature.
Lissé Angarita, academic of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Andrés Bello University (Unab), said that special attention should be paid to older adults, offering them at least 60 millimeters of water per hour, to guarantee consumption in this age group.
These measures could be considered as a recommendation for the prevention of the virus, in case the adult or child is already infected, you should follow instructions from your health team.
Vitamins and food
María Cristina Escobar, professor of Nutrition and Dietetics Unab, stressed that feeding alone does not prevent or cure the coronavirus, but it prepares the body to face it. “There are many vitamins and minerals that can improve our defenses such as: A, C, E, D, B6, Zinc and Selenium, among others (…), many of these nutrients are thermolabile, that is, they are destroyed as a result of heat, so ideally you should consume raw fruits and vegetables ”.
Gabriela Lizana, Director of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Las Américas (Udla), highlighted that as a permanent measure in the diet, foods that help to strengthen the immune system, rich in antioxidants, fruits and vegetables such as oranges, berries, should be privileged, apple, plum, broccoli, cauliflower, tomato, garlic, carrot, onion, spinach, paprika and chard.
Another vital group is the one that provides vitamins such as: C (paprika, kiwi, orange, grapefruit), vitamin A (carrot) and vitamin E (lipids, nuts, seeds).
A wide variety of nuts, legumes and fruits are included in the diet
The diet in times of Covid-19, according to Victoria Halabi, director of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Development (UDD), in addition to hydration, you should add five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, prefer whole foods and legumes , low-fat dairy, nuts, low-fat meats, and all types of fish, shellfish, chicken, and turkey cooked without skin.
For Halabi, precooked foods and fast food would not be recommended due to their high fat and / or sugar content, which in isolation or quarantine can increase overweight, obesity and other associated diseases, especially if there is lack of physical exercise, increase the risk of chronic diseases.
Although there is no scientific evidence that food can be a source of contagion, Halabi assured that, as recommended by the WHO, good hygiene should be carried out during food handling and preparation, washing hands, and cooking meat and fish sufficiently. , and avoid cross contamination between cooked and raw foods.
She added that there is no evidence to recommend the consumption of any herb to prevent or treat Covid-19.
Source: Concepción Newspaper