It is vital to maintain a physically and mentally sound body in the Covid-19 pandemic era. One way to maintain physical health is by consuming healthful food rich in nutrition with ample vitamins and mineral that the body needs. Apart from food, you may find vitamins and minerals in various medicine of supplements.

As addition to balanced nutritional intake, supplements of vitamins and minerals may help maintain healthy body and assist in fortifying the body’s immune system to combat various threat from pathogenic bacteria or viruses, including the threat from Covid-19 virus.

Here are some types of vitamins and minerals and their benefit to our body:

1. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of vitamins with multi-benefits for our body, including for Covid-19 patients. The antioxidant and anti-inflammation agents in Vitamin C are claimed to help with the relieve of inflammation in the lung affected by Corona virus and decrease the level of severity and morbidity risk.

Apart from that, Vitamin C also contributes to the increase of immune system in combating Covid-19 infection. It is due to its ability to drive the production of white-blood cells namely lymphocyte and fagocyte that create antibody that acts as antibody that will protect the body from infection.

You can get intake of Vitamin C from fruits with high Vit-C concentration such as citrusy fruits, kiwi, strawberry, papaya, tomato, and guava or from supplements. The recommended daily dose of Vit-C is 65-90 mg. Intake of more than 2.000 mg in adults or 400 mg in children between 1-3 years of age may incur risk of kidney stone formation and cause gastrointestinal discomfort such as diarrhea and nausea.

2. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is recognized from its vital role in the absorption of calcium and phosphor that are important in bone forming. Apart from that, Vitamin D also has anti-inflammation and antioxidant nature which is important in increasing our body immune system and enhance our response to combat infection or auto-immune diseases.

While in self-isolation or in recovery after Covid-19 infection, patients are advised to sunbathe to have exposure to natural source of Vit-D. Unfortunately, the level of Vit-D in our body sometimes are not enough even when we have sunbathed. Therefore, Covid-19 patients may have additional intake of Vit-D by consuming supplement. Adults and nursing other need at least 10-15 mcg or 600-800 IU of Vit-D daily. To get the correct amount of your need, it is advisable to take a Vit-D test prior to take any supplement.

3. Vitamin E

Ample Vitamin E intake for Covid-19 patients is also beneficial in increasing production of antibody in combating Corona virus. The antioxidant content in Vit-E helps to increase lymphocyte T-cell proliferation and assists in the fight against free radicals that destroy our cells.

Consumption of green vegetables, seeds, plant-based oils, and nuts such as almond and hazelnut contain Vit-E that is vital in the fortifying the immune system. Recommended dose for adults is 15mg per day.

4. Zinc

Zinc is one of the vital minerals for the convalescence from Corona virus. Zinc assists the production of and activated T-cell (lymphocyte T) that is vital in our immune system namely in combating infection and slower the virus replication rate in our body.

Zinc is also beneficial in assisting faster recovery from a number of Covid-19 symptoms such as cough, nose block, and sore throat. Zinc is usually found in seafood, egg, cheese, nuts and seeds. Zinc supplements are also available. The recommended daily dose is 75mg.

Proper intake of vitamins and minerals is paramount as it greatly affects our immune system in facing various infections, including infection from Corona virus. Therefore, consuming nutritious food and taking multi-vitamins supplement such as Theragran with its content of vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K and essential minerals such as zinc and magnesium is important. Also important is to consult with your physician prior to consuming any supplement to ensure that you get what your body needs.

Most importantly in this pandemic era, please always conform to the health protocol of wearing proper mask, washing or sanitizing our hands, keeping safe distance, avoiding crowd, and limiting interaction/mobility.

Refence (source in Bahasa Indonesia):

https://infeksiemerging.kemkes.go.id/document/download/yM5dMmydje

https://www.medicinenet.com/covid_19_supplements/article.htm