How to strengthen my immunity during the coronavirus pandemic?

There's no magic food or pill that is guaranteed to boost your immune system and protect you against coronavirus.

One of the best ways to stay healthy is to eat a nutritious diet. That's because our immune system relies on a steady supply of nutrients to do its job.

• Carrots, kale and apricots for beta carotene. Beta carotene gets converted to vitamin A, which is essential for a strong immune system. It works by helping antibodies respond to toxins and foreign substances.
• Oranges, strawberries and broccoli for Vitamin C. Vitamin C increases blood levels of antibodies and helps to differentiate lymphocytes (white blood cells), which helps the body determine what kind of protection is needed.
• Eggs, cheese, tofu and mushrooms for Vitamin D. Vitamin D regulates the production of a protein that selectively kills infectious agents, including bacteria and viruses. It also alters the activity and number of white blood cells, which can reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses.
• Beans, nuts, cereal and seafood for zinc. Zinc helps cells in your immune system grow and differentiate.
• Milk, eggs, nuts and more for protein. Protein is a key building block for immune cells and antibodies and plays a crucial role in helping our immune system do its job.
• Bananas, beans and more for prebiotics. Probiotics and prebiotics help boost the health of the microbiome, which in turn supports our immune system.
• Water, fruit, soup and more for hydration. Mild dehydration can be a physical stressor to the body.

Being physically active, meditating and managing stress, and getting adequate sleep help to strengthen your own immune system.

• Find time for fitness. Engaging in regular physical activity is a great way to help manage stress and strengthen your immune system.
• Meditate. A recent review involving 20 randomized, controlled trials including more than 1,600 people suggested that meditation may help keep our immune system functioning optimally.
• Manage stress. Research dating back over 25 years has revealed that psychological stress increases susceptibility to illness.
• Don't skimp on sleep. To keep your immune system strong, the National Sleep Foundation advises aiming for seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Not doing so can negatively affect your immune system.