There’s no denying that Covid-19 and other serious respiratory illnesses have significantly impacted global health. However, there may be benefits in consuming more fruits and vegetables to effectively fight Covid-19 and other similar conditions.
Recent studies from Tel Aviv’s Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research suggest that some of the naturally occurring ingredients found in fruits and vegetables may be instrumental in fighting off COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. While the studies suggest that vaccination is the most effective method for fighting known respiratory illnesses, these results may help individuals add another protective layer to their tools.
The Advantages of Alternative Treatments
While researchers understand the critical role of vaccines and antiviral medicines, they were interested in the frequently mutating versions of respiratory illnesses. They sought to identify other naturally occurring substances that may help fight off infections from another standpoint.
Zinc has long been understood to play a critical role in fighting respiratory infections, so the researchers started with this basic principle. They knew that a zinc deficiency could lead to severe respiratory infections. Additionally, zinc has been found to impact the ability of viruses (including the Coronavirus) to replicate by inhibiting the RNA polymerase. This can help to slow or stop the ability of the virus to replicate and spread.
The next step in their research was to introduce flavonoids, which have been identified as a component of our body’s ability to fight infection. These compounds are naturally antibacterial, antimicrobial, and even antiviral.
Surprisingly, the researchers found that the natural combinations of these compounds had a 50-95% reduction in replicating a variety of different types of viruses, including the Coronavirus. Ultimately, this outcome proved the efficacy of the naturally occurring and readily available nutrients to help fight respiratory illnesses. However, the outcomes have not been tested in a clinical trial to date.
The Value of Preventative Medicine
We’ve long understood that preventative medicine is critical to maintaining health and wellness. Studies such as this prove that supplemental treatments such as this can work alongside vaccines to create an even more effective approach to treating respiratory illness. Only time will tell how well it works to curb some of the more serious side effects of these conditions.
