Clinical Dietitian Specialist at Hamad Medical Corporation, Zohair Ali Al Arabi has said that immunity is the ability of the body to resist various diseases, even chronic diseases, viruses, and cancers.
The immune system has a vital role in protecting the body from disease, he said.
Talking to Qatar TV about the importance of strengthening the immune system in light of coronavirus, Al Arabi said, “There are many things that control the immune system of the body, the most important of which is proper nutrition. Proper nutrition is not only important for the immune system but for all the organs in the body.”
“Good nutrition means the body is obtaining important and complete nutrients through which a person can build his body, his brain and his ability to defend in case body is infected by any disease,” he said
Al Arabi further said that good nutrition includes the daily foods that exist in our lives, and it includes six important elements, including drinking enough water, rice and its derivatives and vegetables.
A person must obtain them to strength his immune system. The interest in strengthening the immune system has increased in light of the spread of the coronavirus, where specialists believe that proper food does not prevent infection with coronavirus, but it strengthens the immune system so that it becomes more able to deal with viruses and overcome them.
The specialist from Hamad Medical Corporation advised people for proper nutrition and hydration that are vital in ensuring people stay healthy, adding that paying extra attention to what you eat and drink is particularly important for people who have chronic health conditions and anyone who has a history of an eating disorder or disordered eating.
People who eat a balanced diet, which includes a variety of fresh food items with a mixture of colourful fruits and vegetable that provide the required quantities of vitamins, minerals, omega 3 fatty acids, and other antioxidants, tend to be physically and emotionally healthier, have stronger immune systems, she added.
People need to follow the guidelines or recommendations of credible organizations such as the WHO.