The Role of Vitamin E in Dealing with Viral and Bacterial Infection

A weak immune system can make a person vulnerable to infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. Therefore, it is important to strengthen your immune system . S one of them by meeting the needs of vitamin E.

Corona virus infection or COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory system. Until now, there has been no truly effective drug to overcome COVID-19. However, a series of precautions can be taken to reduce the risk of contracting this virus, including strengthening the immune system.

There are many ways you can do to strengthen the immune system. One of them is to meet the needs of vitamin E. Vitamin E intake can be obtained by eating green vegetables, nuts, and seeds, can also be taken by supplements if intake of food alone is deemed insufficient.

Benefits of Vitamin E for the Body in Facing Infection

Vitamin E has many important functions for the body, including maintaining skin health, reducing skin damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) exposure, and relieving symptoms of fatty liver disease and dermatitis atopic.

Vitamin E also contains antioxidants that function to protect the body from exposure to free radicals, which are harmful molecules that can damage tissues, organs, and body cells. In addition, vitamin E is also able to strengthen the immune system or the body so that it can fight bacterial and viral infections.

Preventing Viral and Bacterial Infection

Viral and bacterial infections can be transmitted through a variety of ways, ranging from direct contact with patients (for example, touching or kissing), inhaling saliva splashes (droplets) that come out when the patient sneezes or coughs, eating food that has been contaminated with germs, to touch the mouth or nose after touching an object that has been contaminated with germs without washing hands first.

To prevent transmission of viral and bacterial infections, there are several ways you can do at home, including:

1. Maintain personal hygiene

Maintaining personal hygiene is an effective way to prevent viral and bacterial infections. The trick is to cover your mouth with a tissue or fold your elbows when coughing or sneezing. If you use a tissue, immediately throw the tissue in the trash after using it.

In addition, routinely wash hands with soap and water or hand sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol. Remember, do not touch your face if you have not washed your hands!

2. Avoid contact with sick people

Close contact with an infected person can increase the risk of transmission. Especially if your immune system is weak. Therefore, as much as possible avoid contact with sick people. Likewise if you have an infectious disease, limit contact with others.

3. Get vaccinated

Vaccination is one way to protect yourself from infectious diseases. Infectious diseases that can be prevented by vaccination include influenza, tetanus, measles or pneumonia. Consult with your doctor to find out the type and schedule of vaccinations you need to get.

4. Consuming nutrient-rich foods

The type and amount of nutrients from the food you consume can also affect the immune system, you know. Therefore, choose foods that are rich in nutrients, especially protein, vitamins, and minerals, so that your immune system is strong against viruses and bacteria that cause disease.

One of the vitamins that can increase the immune system is vitamin E. Vitamin E can be obtained by consuming nuts, such as almonds and hazelnuts, and sunflower seeds. In addition, vegetables such as spinach and broccoli are also rich in vitamin E.

Taking Vitamin E Supplements

The amount of vitamin E needed in adults and adolescents aged 14 years and over is 15 mg/ day. If the intake of vitamin E is less than this amount, over time there can be muscle and nerve damage that triggers numbness and muscle weakness, and decreased immune system function.

Generally, the body's need for vitamin E can be met from food. However, in certain conditions, intake of vitamin E from food alone is not enough so that additional intake is needed from supplements.

If you want to take vitamin E supplements, choose supplements that contain natural vitamin E (d-a-tocopherol). Research shows that natural vitamin E supplements can be absorbed by the body 2 times more effectively than synthetic vitamin E supplements (dl-a-tocopherol acetate).

Another factor to consider in choosing vitamin E supplements is the basic ingredients in the capsule shell. Choose vitamin E supplements with capsules made from seaweed.

Vitamin E supplements with capsules made from seaweed are safer to consume than supplements whose capsules are made from gelatin, especially in people who are allergic to gelatin. The basic ingredients of these capsules also make vitamin E supplements available to people who are vegetarians.

Vitamin E has a role in helping the body fight viruses and bacteria that cause disease. If you need additional vitamin E intake, take vitamin E supplements according to the rules of use listed on the product packaging or as directed by your doctor.

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