Nourish Yourself with Immune Boosting Foods

To stay healthy, avoiding the bad stuff is key- refined sugar, processed foods, additives, excess alcohol and beverages stored in crushable plastic. But you can also up your nutrient game by crowding your plate with these vegetal wonders- packed with vitamins and minerals that boost your body’s immunity. I learned from Toronto naturopath Dr. Fiona McCullough that some of these foods have particular constituents that can inhibit the coronavirus such as kaempferol, phycocyanobilin, and beta-glucans (1, 2, 3).

Include these often and try eat a colorful variety of whole, seasonal foods each week.

• Cranberries

• Grapefruit

• Parsley

• Cucumbers

• Tomatoes

• Blackberries

• Spinach

• Pistachios

• Brassicas such as broccoli, bok choi, kale, and Brussels sprouts

• Mushrooms

• Spirulina

• Green tea

• Alliums like onions, garlic, chives, and leeks

References

1. Schwarz S, Sauter D, Wang K, et al. Kaempferol derivatives as antiviral drugs against the 3a channel protein of coronavirus. Planta Med. 2014;80(2-3):177-182.

2.   M. Calderon-Montano J, Burgos-Moron E, Perez-Guerrero C, Lopez-Lazaro M. A Review on the Dietary Flavonoid Kaempferol. Mini-Reviews Med Chem. 2011;11(4):298-344.

3. McCarty MF, DiNicolantonio JJ. Nutraceuticals have potential for boosting the type 1 interferon response to RNA viruses including influenza and coronavirus. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. February 2020.