ADVICE FROM THE PROFESSIONAL ABOUT “STRENGTHEN RESISTANCE IN THE TIME OF COVID”

Resistance is the body’s ability to defend itself, a “barrier” against the invasion of foreign pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, etc. ⁽²⁾ The immune system produces resistance in the body. When the immune system is weakened, resistance is also reduced. Strengthening the immune system increases resistance.

Over two years of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of people who are already healthy also face obstacles; when the stronghold of the immune system is weakened, our body is probably “beaten” by a series of viruses, and harmful bacteria. They all can enter and wreak havoc on the body through only minor symptoms such as colds, flu, coughs, sneezes.

• How do we strengthen resistance during epidemic season?
• How does the combination of modern medicine and traditional medicine affect resistance?
• Which note do we choose for additional healthcare products with herbal extracts?

Let’s listen to the sharing of Dr. Huynh Tan Vu – Head of the Day treatment Unit – Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, about this issue with the Amfagold brand!

1. How does the immune system work? ⁽¹⁾

Your body makes proteins called antibodies that destroy abnormal cells. They help fight common illnesses like the flu or cold and protect you from other serious diseases like cancer or heart disease.

The immune system is your body’s natural defense system. It is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend your body against invasion by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi, which can make us sick. First, the body creates a barrier that prevents viruses, bacteria, parasites, or antigens from entering the body. If they cross the protective layer, the immune system forms leukocytes and other chemicals and proteins that attack and destroy these foreign substances. The immune system tries to find the antigen and eliminate it before it can reproduce. If containment fails, the immune system increases more to destroy the intruders as they multiply.

Sometimes the immune system can make a mistake and identify a substance as harmful when it’s not. As the immune system fights these intruders, the body develops an allergic reaction.

2. Which factors reduce resistance? ⁽²⁾

• Age: As you age, your immune system declines, decreasing resistance.
• Diseases: Chronic diseases, tumors, cancer
• Quality of life: improper diet, meals with lack of nutrition, and the lack of physical exercise are also important factors affecting resistance.
• Stress at work and in finance is also the cause of reducing the body’s resistance.

The epidemic is stressful, and each person’s resistance is significantly affected. Limiting contact and scarce goods makes people impossible to go out to exercise or have nutritious meals. People were bewildered and anxious when hearing news about the number of cases and deaths due to COVID-19. People with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection and at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness than other patients with COVID-19⁽³⁾

3. Measures to strengthen resistance⁽²⁾

With the motto “Prevention is better than treatment”, self-improving immunity to promptly fight against the invasion of viruses and bacteria. . . is always the priority measure. Here are some ways to boost immunity:

• Lifestyle changes: you must manage stress. If you often feel that stress weakens your body, you should relax with daily exercise and stress management. Besides, sleeping enough is necessary. You need 7–8 h of sleep every night to boost your body’s immune system.
• Eat balanced and diversified meals, without dieting for protein, sugar, or fat.
• Vitamin and mineral supplements: Outstanding resistance-boosting vitamins are fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin D, and vitamin E) and water-soluble vitamins (vitamin B, vitamin C). The minerals that boost immunity are iron, zinc, copper, and selenium.⁽⁴⁾
• Vaccination against disease
• Do exercise
• Increase resistance both physically and mentally
• Supplements containing Ginseng, Ginkgo, Blueberries. . .
  + Ginseng enhances the body’s immunity and is a traditional medicine used in the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory infections caused by the SARS-CoV 2 virus ^(5,6).

+ Ginkgo: the famous ginkgo leaf extract contains natural antioxidants, which can strengthen the immune system ⁽⁷⁾
+ Blueberries: contain anthocyanins, which are flavonoids that are effective antioxidant capacity, enhancing resistance. One study indicates that flavonoids play an important role in the immune defense of the respiratory tract ⁽⁸⁾

4. The combination of modern medicine and traditional medicine affects the resistance. (2)

Modern medicine: If you lack something, you need to add it. Therefore, when having health problems, it is necessary to visit a doctor for a paraclinical evaluation to know what our body lacks and take appropriate supplements.

Traditional medicine: improves the right qi, helping to balance the yin and yang, the qi and blood. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners believe in “blood circulation, a relaxed spirit, good health.

5. How to choose herbal extracts healthcare products⁽²⁾

Herbs such as ginseng, ginkgo, and blueberries will help improve resistance. Ginseng – is a superior medicine in oriental medicine to improve health and reduce fatigue. Ginkgo and blueberries are precious herbs for the brain that help activate blood and enhance blood circulation.

Additionally, vitamins such as vitamins C, B, D, A, E, and minerals: iron, zinc, copper, and selenium also contribute to increased resistance.

You should choose complementary products that help strengthen both body and mind, having a clear origin of production.

Watch in full doctor’s talkshow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avSAXF5M8u8

References:

1. https://www.vinmec.com/vi/tin-tuc/thong-tin-suc-khoe/dich-2019-ncov/thong-tin-suc-khoe/cach-tang-cuong-suc-de-khang-trong-mua-dich/

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avSAXF5M8u8

3. https://www.vinmec.com/vi/tin-tuc/thong-tin-suc-khoe/dich-2019-ncov/thong-tin-suc-khoe/neu-ban-bi-suy-giam-mien-dich-hay-dac-biet-canh-giac-voi-covid-19/

4. https://www.vinmec.com/vi/tin-tuc/thong-tin-suc-khoe/dinh-duong/vitamin-va-khoang-chat-nao-giup-tang-kha-nang-mien-dich/

5. Soowon Kang and Hyeyoung Min Ginseng, the ‘Immunity Boost’: The Effects of Panax ginseng on Immune System J Ginseng Res, 36(2012), pp: 354–368.

6. Một số liệu, vị thuốc cổ truyền và cây thuốc được sử dụng trong phòng và hỗ trợ điều trị viêm đường hô hấp cấp do virus Sars-CoV-2 Viện dược liệu, Bộ y tế

7. Shaoping Lu¹, Xia Guo, Pinting Zhao Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract 50 on immunity and antioxidant enzyme activities in ischemia reperfusion rats Molecules, 16(2011), pp:9194-206

8. Vaughan S Somerville,^3,*Andrea J Braakhuis,³ and Will G Hopkins⁴ Effect of Flavonoids on Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Immune Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis