Speed up your COVID recovery process

If you have had Covid-19, you have an important recovery period ahead of you, which can take several weeks. A balanced diet rich in proteins as well as essential vitamins and minerals is a condition for a more successful and faster recovery.

Lack of strength, rapid fatigue, muscle weakness, and often loss of taste and smell are the most common problems faced by the patients recovering from Covid 19.

B-complex vitamins to restore strength

B complex vitamins are rather important for strong immune system and our body cannot recover without double intake of vitamin B. There are 8 B complex vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12 which are essential for humans. They must be taken daily with food or vitamin preparations, because the body cannot produce them on its own.

“Each of these vitamins has a specific role, but their effects on the body are closely related, so it is best to take them combined in the B complex. If we have a vitamin B deficiency, there is no adequate metabolism of nutrients in our body; fats, proteins, sugars and also their conversion into energy. In addition to boosying the immune system, B complex vitamins are important for the proper functioning of the nervous system, heart and blood vessels, especially vitamins B6, B12 and B9 (folic acid), which prevent the accumulation of homocysteine, an amino acid that has been proven to have detrimental effects on blood vessels and accelerates the process of atherosclerosis”, Branislava Daskalović, MPharm, CHC Sales Director for Western Balkans, from Hemofarm, explained.

Magnesium for recovery of muscle functions

In food, magnesium is found mostly in pumpkin and chia seeds, peanuts, cashews, almonds, black beans. Mineral waters rich in magnesium are also a good source. However, in order to ingest the required doses of magnesium, supplementation is necessary especially during the recovery period from Covid-19 or other severe diseases.

“Magnesium is necessary for energy production, and also contributes to the construction of bone structure, and the development of processes that are important for the transmission of nerve impulses, muscle contraction and normal heart rhythm. Magnesium is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems that regulates various biochemical processes in the body, such as protein synthesis, muscle and nerve function, and blood pressure regulation”, our interlocutor said.

Over 60 percent of the adult population does not consume the required daily dose of magnesium, which is 400 mg for an adult man and 320 mg for a woman.

Boost your immune system

Vitamins D, A, C, zinc, selenium and polyphenols are necessary for strengthening the body's defenses and faster recovery from Covid-19 infection.

“Vitamin D3 supplementation is important in the prevention, treatment process and recovery period from Covid 19. Vitamin D is actually a hormone necessary for good functioning of the immune system, and also for healthy muscles and bones. According to the guidelines for treatment of patients with Covid-19, the patients should be given 2000 IU of vitamin D3 daily as part of therapy. Low levels of vitamin D increase the risk of infections, community-acquired pneumonia in adults and upper respiratory tract infections in children.

It has also been observed that patients with vitamin D3 deficiency had a more severe form of Covid-19”, the pahramacist Branislava Daskalović warned us.

Obese people, people with diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as those older than 65 have an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency.

Zinc is another essential mineral for faster recovery and good health.

“Zinc is involved in the function of the immune system in the production of antibodies and white blood cells, and it also contributes to faster wound healing. If there is not enough zinc in the body, the sensitivity is significantly increased, especially to viral infections. Studies have shown that in the case of coronavirus, high-dose zinc supplementation accelerates recovery and shortens the duration of infection symptoms”, our interlocutor explained.

Vitamin A for faster recovery of smell and taste

Over 80% of patients with Covid-19 face temporary loss of smell and taste, and in 5-8% of patients this problem persists for 6 months after treatment for Corona virus infection.

“Vitamin A accelerates regeneration of the nasal mucosa and damaged neuroepithelium, and topical administration of vitamins A and D to the nasal mucosa is recommended. Be sure not to forget to take enough vitamin C. It protects cells from oxidative processes caused by infection and contributes to boosting of the immune system. If you smoke, as well as during the recovery period from the disease, be sure to increase your intake of vitamin C”, Branislava Daskalović, MPharm from Hemofarm advised.