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Helping our unsung Hero! Why its so important to look after your immune system now!

13th August 2020

By: Creamer Media Reporter

     

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This article has been supplied as a media statement and is not written by Creamer Media. It may be available only for a limited time on this website.

82990_basf_strong_immunity_sales_2pp_a4_infographic[1].pdf  (5.18 MB)

2020 has been an extraordinary year that has brought about lasting changes to our lives. It has changed how we work, travel and interact with one another. These changes can impact our immune fitness, which, if not cared for, can compromise our personal health and make us more susceptible to illness. A holistic health approach, which includes regular exercise, a balanced diet comprising a variety of health ingredients, play an important role in supporting overall immune fitness.

With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, BASF has noticed a significant change in consumer behaviours. These changes are driven by a growing expectation globally that consumers will spend more of their income on healthcare products and in-home food items. Eating healthily, exercise and the environment have become a higher priority, which has seen a significant increase in the sale of dietary supplements as consumers seek to proactively care for their immune health.

The immune system is your ‘unsung hero’. It is your body’s protective shield against health challenges, working continuously to protect our bodies against pathogens, allergens and diseases.

Awareness of everyday factors that can negatively impact our personal immune fitness therefore becomes important. These include (amongst others):  an unbalanced diet; a lack of regular physical exercise; poor quality or a lack of sleep; exhaustion; chronic stress; a lack of sunshine. Other more long-term factors include chronic diseases and medication which suppress the immune system. 

Understanding these factors means that we can take proactive measures to support our immune system. Chief amongst these are good nutrition and exercise. Generally, a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals in combination with sufficient physical exercise are fundamentals for a healthy immune system. With the constraints that the COVID-19 pandemic is currently placing on all of us, these factors may become more prevalent and therefore impact on our immune system.  

BASF, through its extensive research, has identified how certain vitamins help our immune system to continuously protect us against pathogens, allergens and diseases. These include Vitamin D, E, B12 and Omega-3 which can be found in everyday foods as well as health ingredients.

Controlled trials by scientists have shown that Vitamin D inhibits acute respiratory infections. Other benefits include the strengthening of barrier function by regulating anti-microbial defence proteins.  According to recent research regarding COVID-19 “Vitamin D treatment may decrease the risk of incidence and severity of patients with COVID-19” (Aygun H, 2020). While not present in many foods, sources of Vitamin D are found in fatty fish (salmon), eggs (in the yolk) and mushrooms.   

Vitamin E plays an important role regarding the body’s immune function, stimulating immune cells, particularly in elderly people, and inhibits inflammation. Sources of Vitamin E include vegetable oils like sunflower, corn and soybean oils. Other sources include peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds and sunflower seeds. Green vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli are also a source of Vitamin E.

Vitamin B12 is needed to produce immune cells and antibodies. B12 modulates immune cells and is important for steering lymphocytes to infected tissues. Vitamin B12 is found naturally in a wide variety of animal foods and is added to some fortified foods. Plant foods have no vitamin B12 unless they are fortified. Sources of Vitamin B12 include: Fish, meat, poultry, eggs and milk. Some breakfast cereals are also fortified with Vitamin B12.

Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are recognized for their major anti-inflammatory function, which supports healing. They are metabolized into pro-resolving mediators which reduce inflammation supporting the healing of tissue. Importantly DHA is a structural fatty acid, which helps stabilize the membranes of immune cells. Sources of Omga-3 include fatty fish (such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines); Nuts and seeds (such as flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts), as well as plant oils like flaxseed, soybean, and canola.

What if I can’t find or afford all these different food sources?

It is not always easy to buy these different sources of vitamins, which is why there are dietary supplements available for consumers to purchase depending on their budget and need. BASF believes that important factors to consider when purchasing a dietary supplement include how they are sourced, their compliance with regulation, whether they cater for vegetarian or vegan users and how easily they are handled and processed.

Ultimately a balanced diet with regular exercise and proper rest are some of the main contributors to a healthy immune system, which helps fight illness and disease. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact on the way we conduct our lives, BASF realises that consumers globally are becoming more focused on personal health and are looking for quality dietary supplements which support the maintenance of a healthy immune system.  Dietary supplements are increasingly being used as alternative sources of these important vitamins and minerals as some food groups are either not available or too expensive. Important factors to consider when procuring a supplier or producer of these vitamins include compliance with regulation, the ethical way in which ingredients are sourced and their suitability for all consumers.

 

Mr.  Casey Soobramoney
Account Manager Human Nutrition

BASF

kersavan.soobramoney@basf.com

www.grow-africa.co.za

 

 

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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