&w=3840&q=100)
COVID-19 Cases Rising Again: Expert Tips On Boosting Immunity Through Diet And Lifestyle
As Covid-19 cases rise once again, it's important to remember that immunity does not come solely from medications or vaccines – it begins with what we eat, how we live, and how we take care of our bodies daily. Food is not just fuel – it's rather the foundation for resilience. A well-thought-out diet can offer your immune system the significant tools that it needs to fight infections and recover faster if illness strikes. Here's how you can mindfully nourish yourself to build internal strength during these uncertain times.
Mugdha Pradhan, Functional Nutritionist, Founder, iThrive, a Pune-based health and wellness platform, says, "Begin your day and build every meal with protein-rich choices. Whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner, involving clean protein sources such as eggs, chicken or paneer is essential." Proteins are not just building blocks of muscles, they also support the production of antibodies and immune cells. A protein-deficient diet can often leave your immune system sluggish and less capable of mounting a very strong defence.
Include Vitamin C In Your Diet
"Incorporate seasonal fruits in Vitamin C, including oranges, guavas, papaya, and lemons. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, particularly known to bolster white blood cell function and protect the body against any viral infections. Consuming seasonal fruits ensures you're consuming fruits at their nutritional peak, and they are mostly more affordable and environmentally friendly too," explains Mugdha.
Avoid Processed and Packaged Foods
She further explains, "Processed and packaged foods, on the contrary, must be consciously avoided. These items often contain additives, trans fats, preservatives and excessive sugar, all of which can cause inflammation and weaken immune response. Processed foods downregulate the natural immunity of the body by interfering with gut health and metabolic functions." It's not just about what you eat, but also what you exclude that matters a lot in maintaining a strong immune system.
Add Herbs To Your Diet
Mugdha says, "Herbs such as thyme and oregano can prove to be wonderful additions to your meals. These are not just flavour enhancers – they are also potent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents. Adding these to meals, teas, or soups can subtly improve respiratory health and digestion, both of which are eminent during a time when viral infections are prevalent."
Home-Cooked Meals Are Your Best Bet
Only consuming home-cooked meals is yet another layer of protection. This ensures better nutritional value and hygiene, along with a potential opportunity to utilise fresh and healing ingredients. It also ensures limited exposure to outside contaminants and lets you have complete control over the ingredients that nourish you.
Sun Exposure Is Key
Mugdha says, "Sun exposure is an immunity booster of nature, primarily due to UVB rays that trigger Vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Vitamin D plays an important role in modulating the immune response. For optimal benefits, aim to get around 10-30 minutes of sunlight between 10 am to 3 pm, depending on your location and skin."
If you are unable to get enough of these due to weather or lifestyle constraints, please consider supplementing with Vitamin D or a good quality B-complex, and also include a single Brazil Nut daily – a rich source of selenium, a micronutrient important for immune function.
Lastly, she says, "A simple yet powerful ritual of gargling with warm water infused with turmeric and salt can go a long way. This very practice can help in cleansing the throat area and significantly dissolve pathogens even before they enter the respiratory tract fully."
By consciously aligning your habits and diet with your body's natural defence mechanisms, you are not just protecting yourself, but you are also setting the stage for long-term well-being. In these tough times, food truly is your first medicine.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Medicos organize 101 virtual concerts since covid and continue
KOLKATA: The UK-based diaspora organisation, Essex Indians, which started its 'global bonding virtual concerts' during the pandemic to keep the medical fraternity's spirits high, celebrated its 101st virtual event on Friday. The 101st e-concert, attended by doctors all over the world, was a tribute to the evergreen Bollywood vocalist, actor-director, and music director Kishore Kumar. It was titled 'Kishore Ki Shor.' Essex Indians' journey started during Covid times when these e-celebrations rejuvenated the mental well-being of the participating doctors going through the most difficult period of their lives. The journey continued post-Covid period and maintained the bonding globally. 'There's a famous Bengal song that says, 'With each baby step we can confidently reach the mountain of the moon'. Essex Indians has literally proven it right. What began during the pandemic days as an effort to destress the doctors from Kolkata, now settled and serving patients across the world, has now become a regular habit. At that time, the doctors were looking for some way to keep their minds peaceful, as they struggled to remain alive while attending to the Covid patients. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Seniors are going crazy for these comfy, stylish, easy-on shoes Ultra-Comfortable Shoes Undo In the post-pandemic era, the webinars continue, and we assemble for e-concerts, reminding ourselves of the pandemic days, our fights, and all the lives we lost to Covid,' said Anirban Mandal, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon and General Secretary of the registered charity, Essex Indians. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata Since 2020, the concerts spanned from tributes to Bengali legends like Satyajit Ray, Rituporno Ghosh, Tapan Sinha, and Tarun Majumdar, to the celebration of the lives of geniuses who passed amid the pandemic—Bhupinder, Irrfaan, Bappi Lahiri, S.P. Balasubramanium, Rishi Kapoor, and others. Essex Indians also celebrated all major festivals virtually, like Independence Day, Durga Pujas, Republic Day, Saraswati Pujo, Holi, and Diwali. The 'Drive through Durgapujo' was a unique evening, where pandal hopping was done, maintaining all Covid precautions. Another unique concept was the 'global funtaksari,' an online antakshari programme with participants engaging in the fun of chain-singing from all over the world. Those who performed at the 101st e-concert included Kolkata doctors Queen Aditya and Arnab Gupta, Arpita Ray and Dipankar Mukhopadhyay, engineers and IT specialists like Ujjwal Ghosh and Moumita Hajra, teachers like Sutapa Ghosh, professionals like Dipa Mandal from the USA, Jeet from Australia, Sumana and Narayanan from the UK, dancers like Monidipa, Senjuti, Anashmita, and Ahana from the UK, and students like Jhinuk, Disha from India, and the UK's Arya and Teerna, who have taken part in each of the 101 concerts. The show included the famous Kishore da numbers and talks on the legendary singer. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Dermatologist debunks myths about ‘super dangerous' petroleum jelly: 'Yes, it is made by God'
Do you also wonder if the handy Vaseline is a safe choice? After all, something called 'petroleum jelly' does not sound the most natural thing to be putting on your face. But rest assured, it is indeed safe and beneficial, even doctors agree. Vaseline, or petrolatum, is safe for use, as confirmed by dermatologist Dr. Danny Guo. He clarifies that while petroleum is harmful, petrolatum is a refined substance endorsed by health authorities. (Image generate via OpenAI) Dr. Danny Guo, a Canada-based dermatologist, took to Instagram to bust a few myths about the humble Vaseline. He stitched his video with another from a podcast, in which a woman was advising against using Vaseline. Is Vaseline safe for use? She said, 'So if you're putting Vaseline on your lips, you're basically putting petroleum inside your body. Super dangerous, super harmful. Our body is not made to process anything that God didn't make." It is not known who the woman in the video is. Dr Guo began his rejoined with a simple fact, 'Actually, petroleum is a naturally occurring substance. So according to her definition, yes, it is made by God.' He added, 'Sure, putting crude petroleum into your body is harmful. But Vaseline is 100% petrolatum, not petroleum. Petroleum is the black stuff that comes out of the ground when you go drilling for oil. Petrolatum is a highly refined substance that is safe for human use according to almost every major health authority including FDA, Canada Health, and EU. He did accept that the similar-sounding words can cause confusion among regular people way too often. "Unfortunately, petrolatum is synonymous with petroleum jelly, which is why everyone keeps saying it's petroleum, but it's not the same thing. So, let's all make a concerted effort to start saying petrolatum from now on and not use the term petroleum jelly so that random health gurus can't keep abusing the semantic loophole.' How to use petroleum jelly? Wondering how you can use petroleum jelly in different ways? Check out these suggestions: Make the most of Petroleum Jelly this festive season with these expert-approved beauty hacks from Vaseline: Tame split ends: Apply a small amount to the ends of your hair for a sleek, shiny finish that keeps frizz at bay. Glow on the go: Blend a bit of your face powder with Petroleum Jelly and dab it onto your cheekbones for a natural, dewy highlighter. Hydrating body polish: Mix Vaseline with sea salt and use it post-shower for soft, moisturised skin that lasts all day. Glossy eyelids: Dab a little onto your lids for a quick, high-shine eyeshadow effect. Sculpted brows: Use it as a brow gel to tame flyaways and keep your arches in place for a clean, defined look. Soothe festive rashes: Gently apply over areas irritated by embroidery or tight outfits to calm the skin.
Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Business Standard
Rajasthan Aushdhalaya Pvt. Ltd. Reaches ₹2000 Crore Net Worth
VMPL New Delhi [India], August 2: Rajasthan Aushdhalaya Pvt. Ltd. (RAPL Group), a pioneer in the Ayurvedic nutraceutical sector, has achieved a significant milestone by surpassing a net worth of ₹2000 crore. This achievement is not merely a financial benchmark--it reflects the growing confidence in Ayurveda as a credible health system that harmoniously blends ancient wisdom with modern therapeutic technologies. Global Recognition and Validation In a recent development, the Dubai-based investment firm Refasa formally recognized Rajasthan Aushdhalaya Pvt. Ltd. as one of India's most ideal and high-performing companies. Refasa's independent audit confirmed RAPL's net worth at ₹2000 crore, positioning it among the top Ayurvedic and nutraceutical companies in the country. RAPL's high net worth stands out, especially when compared to similar companies, further underscoring its credibility and sustained growth. With over 20 million patients treated across India, this recognition affirms RAPL's financial transparency, operational excellence, and consumer trust. The company proudly collaborates with over 65,000 doctors operating from their own clinics across India--from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, and Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh--making it the only Ayurvedic company with such an extensive clinical outreach. From Vision to National Mission Founded with a mission to mainstream Ayurveda through scientific validation and contemporary formulations, RAPL has evolved from humble beginnings into a household name in holistic wellness. With a diverse portfolio of over 400 Ayurvedic and nutraceutical products, RAPL has touched millions of lives, both in India and globally. Its comprehensive product line offers effective solutions for: - Immunity and immune enhancement - Metabolic and lifestyle disorders - Gastrointestinal health - Women's wellness This strategic focus has firmly established RAPL as a leader in preventive and holistic healthcare. Dynamic Leadership and Innovation Under the leadership of Mr. Salim Diwan, Managing Director of RAPL, the company has achieved numerous milestones, including the establishment of a state-of-the-art manufacturing unit in Rajasthan. Speaking on this milestone, Mr. Diwan said: "This isn't just a financial achievement--it's a milestone of trust. Our journey has been driven by the faith people have placed in us. 'Rog Mukt Bharat, Nasha Mukt Bharat' is not merely a slogan; it defines our core purpose. We aim to integrate the timeless principles of Ayurveda with the precision of modern science to offer natural, affordable, and reliable healthcare." A Bollywood actor and entrepreneur, Mr. Diwan is a passionate advocate for Ayurveda as a tool for public health. His vision has led RAPL to spearhead initiatives such as: - Rural health outreach - Ayurveda education campaigns - Free mobile health units - Digital healthcare platforms These efforts have significantly increased public access to natural healthcare solutions. Global Expansion and Cutting-Edge R & D RAPL continues to invest heavily in research and development, quality control, and innovative product development. All formulations adhere to stringent international quality and safety standards, ensuring efficacy, consistency, and global compliance. With a growing international footprint, RAPL now operates in over 22 countries, including major markets across Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The company is at the forefront of transforming Ayurveda from an alternative therapy to an evidence-based, globally accepted healthcare system. Strategic Vision for the Future Looking ahead, RAPL's growth is anchored in a purposeful vision to address the evolving healthcare needs of diverse populations. Key initiatives include: - Strongly countering addiction through Ayurveda - Enhancing women's health and mental well-being - Developing advanced sports nutrition and fitness supplements - Innovating senior health solutions with targeted formulations - Creating diagnostic and wellness programs based on personalized Ayurvedic principles - Collaborating with global universities and research institutions to further validate and promote Ayurvedic science A Celebration of Heritage, Science, and Well-being Surpassing the ₹2000 crore net worth is more than a financial victory--it symbolizes a resurgence of India's cultural and medicinal heritage. In an era where consumers are actively seeking sustainable, preventive, and natural healthcare options, Rajasthan Aushdhalaya Pvt. Ltd. stands at the forefront of an Ayurvedic renaissance. With a firm commitment to "Rog Mukt Bharat, Nasha Mukt Bharat," RAPL is not just creating products--it is cultivating a movement. A movement that repositions Ayurveda as a globally trusted system of wellness, with India leading the way.
