A recent Mintel report revealed 73 percent of people in the UK want to increase their nutrition during this time. A pharmacist shares her recommendations on the best supplements to take.
Pharmacist Anshu Kaura, from Lloyds Pharmacy, spoke to the Express.co.uk about three natural supplements that can help the fight against coronavirus.
Kaura commented on the “emerging research showing the role that vitamin D plays in fighting infections and preventing COVID-19 complications”.
The coronavirus virus is known as SARS-CoV-2 that causes the disease COVID-19.
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She remarked the findings were “extremely interesting”, and recommended that everyone “continue to take a daily supplement while the risk of coronavirus still remains”.
Kaura added: “Vitamin D is one of the most popular supplements in the pharmacy.
“For everyday vitamin D, try Health Aid Vitamin D.” There are 60 capsules in the box and they’re suitable for vegans.
“Each capsule is 500iu strength, helping to support your immune system, maintain healthy bones and teeth and promote calcium absorption,” she added.
Considering there are about one in 20 people in the UK living with diabetes, and they’re in the higher risk category for developing complications from COVID-19, it makes sense that controlling blood sugar levels is paramount.
In order to help prevent disastrous complications of COVID-19, a certain supplement can help balance blood sugar levels.
Pharmacist Kaura explained: “Maintaining a good, balanced diet and exercising regularly is key to managing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
“The role of supplements in diabetes management is lesser-known. However, the right nutrients may help improve the person’s control of the condition.”
She elaborated: “For example, studies have shown that, in addition to insulin therapy, biotin can help control blood sugar levels for individuals who have type 1 diabetes.”
Not only that, “individuals with diabetes tend to have lower magnesium levels”, she also said.
“And magnesium plays an essential role in managing blood sugar levels for those who have type 2 diabetes,” she added.
However, Kaura admitted that “the role of supplements is highly varied”, thus “you should always consult your GP before taking supplements”.
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The final top supplement Kaura recommends to boost your immunity is vitamin C.
“It’s important to keep in mind that the body can’t store vitamin C, therefore you need a ‘new’ intake of the nutrient every day,” she revealed.
“For individuals who struggle to maintain a healthy diet or for those who are vitamin C deficient, a supplement may be beneficial.”
Kaura commented that many people who think they have a high vitamin C diet may be surprised.
She elaborated: “The way [people] are cooking their food may be drastically reducing the nutritional value and quantity of vitamin C.
“For example, cooking foods at high temperatures can break down and destroy vitamin C.”
Foods that contain vitamin C (that you’re likely to cook) include red and green peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and potatoes.
Kaura continued: “Cooking foods that contain vitamin C in water can also mean the vitamin molecules are lost into the water.”
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