How to stay healthy during a pandemic | Touro College of Pharmacy

vitamin. motion. sunlight. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many are eager to strengthen their immune system in the hope of avoiding the disease and mitigating its catastrophic effects. However, supplements are not always safe and can cause harmful side effects. Before taking another vitamin D, Roman Fazylov, Pharm.D., Professor of Touro College of Pharmacy. , BCPS explains what you need to know about your immune system and how to stay healthy.

Everyone is talking about the need to boost the immune system during a pandemic. How exactly does it work?

The immune system is complex and not yet fully understood in modern science. It works at various levels to achieve the ultimate function of protecting our body from physical foreign objects. The widely used term “strengthening the immune system” as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is misleading and not scientific. In general, the best way to support your immune system is to live a healthy lifestyle. This provides the immune cells with the right nutrients and an environment for optimal functioning. Here are some healthy ways to strengthen your immune system:

• No Smoking
• Limited alcohol
• Lots of fruits and vegetables
• Avoid saturated fats and starchy carbohydrates
• Regular exercise
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Get enough sleep (8 hours / night)
• Minimize stress
• Talk to your doctor to ensure adequate levels of vitamin D, electrolytes and trace metals

Which vitamins / supplements do you recommend at what dose?

Unfortunately, there are no recommended vitamins or supplements for the purpose of “immunizing”. In general, people need to take vitamins only if they are deficient due to diet or other causes. Specifically, vitamins A, E, D, or K should be taken if the patient has been shown to have a deficiency or is preventing the recurrence of the deficiency. The reason is that these vitamins carry the risk of overdose with serious adverse effects. Therefore, their levels should be monitored through a blood level test at predetermined intervals and the dose should be patient-specific. On the other hand, if you are short on diet, you can get B complex, vitamin C, or omega-3 fatty acids. Patients may consult a specific case for a dietitian, physician, or pharmacist-tailored solution aimed at maintaining the proper amount of vitamins / minerals and trace elements needed for optimal immune function. I can do it.

Do these vitamins help prevent COVID? Do they help people who suffer from COVID? Can they prevent secondary infections?

There are no vitamins or supplements that can prevent COVID-19. The best preventive measures are those outlined by the CDC. Maintain social distance. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when you are around others. Some experts say that you should take 200 mg of vitamin C daily to prevent COVID-19 and other respiratory tract infections, or 1-2 grams at the onset of symptoms to improve recovery. I am proposing. While these doses are likely to be safe in most adults, there is no strong evidence to support the effectiveness of vitamin C against COVID-19. There is also no strong evidence to support other COVID-19 herbs or supplements such as elderberry, echinacea, and zinc.

Do supplements have a negative effect? please explain.

Supplements are definitely associated with side effects. Many herbs and supplements have potentially significant drug-to-drug or drug-food interactions that can be harmful to the patient.To get specific information about herbs and supplements, you can always consult a trained professional, such as a doctor or pharmacist, or seek guidance from a reference known as Natural medicine comprehensive database.