On December 31, 2019, several patients were admitted to the local hospitals of Wuhan, China, with symptoms of pneumonia linked to a common infection in the wholesale market in Wuhan. Alarmingly, the investigation reports indicated a new strain of coronavirus with unknown aetiology that had spread globally, which forced the World Health Organization to declare it a pandemic in March 2020, which was named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Researchers have compared the current COVID-19 pandemic to the Spanish flu that occurred in 1918, which resulted in more than 50 million deaths around the world.
COVID-19 has now been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, and people in all countries are under quarantine in order to reduce the spread of the virus, which then also lessens the impact on medical resources.
Since quarantine is associated to the interruption of the work routine, this could be result in boredom. Boredom has been associated with a greater energy intake, as well as the consumption of higher quantities of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.
This leads to stress; which pushes the person to eat “comforts foods” specifically sugary foods. Carbohydrate craving acts as anti stress, as it encourages production of serotonin, which gives positive mood. This “food craving” increases the risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes and lung disease, which ultimately increases the risk of COVID-19.
SEROTONIN AND MELATONIN
Instead of consuming high glycemic index foods, it is important to consume foods containing or promoting the synthesis of serotonin and melatonin.
SEROTONIN RICH FOODS
1. Salmon
2. Poultry
3. Eggs
4. Spinach
5. Seeds – pumpkin seeds
6. Milk
7. Soy products – tofu , soy milk , soya nuggets
8. Nuts – almonds
MELATONIN RICH FOODS
1. Almond
2. Warm milk
3. Chamomile tea
4. Walnut
5. Tart cherry
6. Fatty fish
7. Passion flower tea
8. Rice
9. Banana
MICRO-NUTRIENTS
During this time it is important to take nutritional foods, following a healthy and balanced nutritional diet containing a high amount of minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. Several studies reported that fruits and vegetables supplying micronutrients can boost immune function. It is because some of these micronutrients such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta-carotene are antioxidants
VITAMIN E RICH FOODS
1. Pistachio
2. Pepper
3. Almond
4. Peanut oil
5. Sunflower seeds
VITAMIN C RICH FOODS
1. Lemon zest
2. Amla
3. Guava
4. Black raisins
5. Cashew fruit
BETA-CAROTENE RICH FOODS
1. Drumstick leaves
2. Agathi leaves
3. Fenugreek leaves
4. Amaranth leaves
5. Curry leaves
VITAMIN D
Adequate vitamin D status reduces the risk of developing several chronic diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension that increases higher risk of death from respiratory tract infections than otherwise healthy individuals.
Since the time spent outdoor is less and consequently the sun exposure is limited, it is encouraged to get more vitamin D from diet.
VITAMIN D RICH FOODS
1. Salmon
2. Sardine
3. Egg
4. Cod liver oil
5. Mushroom
6. Fortified milk
ZINC
Another essential trace element that is crucial for the maintenance of immune function is zinc. It has been reported that zinc inhibited severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) corona virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) template binding and elongation in Vero-E6 cells.
ZINC RICH FOODS
1. Red meat
2. Shell fish – oyster, shrimp, crab
3. Legumes – chick peas, lentils , beans
4. Seeds – pumpkin, sesame, cucumber , sunflower
5. Nuts – Almonds, pistachio, walnut
6. Milk
7. Egg
8. Whole grains – Hand pounded rice, traditional rice, quinoa
Keeping foods that are good sources of immuno-supportive nutrients, planning times to eat, meals, portions and having a cutoff time for eating but mostly having in mind positive attitudes could be helpful to tackle the negative health effects of quarantine.
REFERENCE
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