Can Food Help to Reduce the Symptoms of the COVID-19 Vaccine?

While COVID-19 has heavily impacted both our personal lives as well as a variety of different industries, it’s important to know when to distinguish our own personal biases with basic public safety.

As the vaccine to help fight against COVID-19 has gradually become more accessible to the general public (for more info, be sure to click here), there has also been an uprising concern in regards to the COVID-19 vaccine itself and knowing how to properly manage the side effects that seem to come along with it. Pain, redness, swelling, tiredness, headaches, muscle pain, fever, chills…are these COVID-19 vaccine symptoms in any way preventable?

Let’s get things a few things straight.

How does the immune system work?

The immune system is a complex network of cells and proteins that plays a large role in helping the human body properly fight against infection. In fact, it has the ability to keep a track record of every single germ, microbe, pathogen or bacteria it has ever encountered.

Vaccines work by training the immune system to recognize and combat said-pathogens & viruses so that it can immediately recognize and destroy it in the event it were to ever enter the body again.

So…can you “boost” your immune system?

As stated by the Dietitians of Canada, “Simply put, it is important to understand that you cannot “boost” your immune system through diet and no specific food, supplement or natural health product will prevent you from catching COVID-19”.

In other words, it means that the immune system cannot be “turbo-charged” to make it ultra-combative. Your immune system has an optimal state in which it works best and cannot be “boosted” beyond that.

How can we reduce the symptoms of the COVID-19 vaccine?

By eating a healthy, balanced, and nutrient-dense diet, we can help keep our immune system in its best-performing state to better manage the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.

For those of you turning towards more “natural remedies” for care (which are often marketed as “simple & easy solutions” to achieving wellness…i.e. liquid chlorophyll), it is also worth mentioning that “selling unauthorized health products or making false or misleading claims to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19 is illegal in Canada. Up until now, authorized COVID-19 vaccines are the only products that have been approved by the Government of Canada to prevent COVID-19. For more information, be sure to click here.

What foods should you eat?

A diet that is rich in fruit and vegetables, protein foods, and whole grains is important for a strong immune system along with other maintaining other healthy lifestyle habits such as daily exercise, not smoking, getting enough sleep, and properly managing our stress.

Foods that keep your immune system in good health

Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods every day can aid in supporting immune system function. Here are some examples of foods you can incorporate into your diet:

Vitamin A-rich foods help the immune system protect against infections by keeping your skin and the tissues in your mouth, stomach, intestines, and respiratory system healthy.

Food sources include sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, spinach, red bell pepper, apricots, milk, salmon, and eggs.

Protein-rich foods help encourage your system’s healing & recovery.

Food sources include lean meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, beans and peas, soy products, and unsalted nuts and seeds.

Zinc-rich foods help the immune system function properly and promote proper wound healing.

Food sources include oysters, wheat germ, cheese, yogurt, milk, turkey and beans.

Vitamin E-rich foods help to support the immune system with its antioxidant properties.

Food sources include nuts & nut butters, avocado, sunflower seeds and vegetable oils such as sunflower and safflower oil.

Vitamin C-rich foods stimulate the formation of antibodies responsible for protecting your body against infection.

Food sources include oranges, mangoes, broccoli, grapefruit, tangerines, red bell pepper, papaya, strawberries, tomato juice or any foods fortified with vitamin C (e.g. orange juice).

Probiotic-rich foods help to promote a healthy gut and has been shown to provide certain health benefits.

Food sources include yogurt, cheese, milk, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso paste and kombucha.

Foods with prebiotics act as food for the “good bacteria” (a.k.a the probiotics) that naturally live in the colon of our digestive systems.

Food sources include asparagus, leeks, artichokes, garlic, bananas, onions and whole grains.

Can COVID-19 be spread through food?

Up until now, there are no cases that have been reported of COVID-19 being able to spread through food. Researchers and food safety experts continue to closely monitor the spread of COVID-19 in Canada and around the world. It is however, best to practice safe handling at all times.

What else can you do to help the side effects?

It is said that the effects after your second vaccine dose may be more intense than the ones experienced after the first one. These side effects are completely normal signs, as your body is working to help build better protection They should go away after a few days. If you experience…

a) Fever

Drink plenty of fluids;
Dress lightly.

b) Pain

Apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area;
Use or exercise your arm.

For more information on COVID-19 & vaccine symptoms, be sure to click here.

Bottom line:

It takes time for your body to build up protection after any type of vaccination, but a strong immune system can make all the difference. Focus on…

Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods ─ take the time to create colourful and balanced meals.
Staying active ─ a healthy immune system can be built & strengthened through daily physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.
Staying properly hydrated throughout your day ─ stay cool, regular and vaccine symptom-free.

Source(s):

Laura NguyenJune 18, 2021Comment