The buzzword in the last few months has been “immunity boost”.

Ever since COVID struck the world, more than 6 lakh people have been struck down with a death blow and lakhs more infected; recovery in most cases has largely been dependent upon the human natural self defense – the immune system.

From pills to vitamin supplements, hand sanitizers to face masks, the market has been flooded with various products claiming to protect or boost immunity to a level that may protect against this deadly virus.

So let’s ask the question that needs to be asked. Can the immune system really be ‘boosted’?

The short answer, scientifically, is ‘no’.

Immunology experts say that there is no way for healthy adults to improve immunity through food or products. Mr. Ram Vishwakarma, noted immunologist and former director of the CSIR’s Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine says, “Immunity is a much abused word. The immune system is very complex and claims about boosting immunity are irrational and unscientific.”

The root of the biggest misconception that consuming more vitamins can help boost immunity was put forth by pioneering chemist Linus Pauling. He was most notoriously directly responsible for the myth that Vitamin C can help prevent or cure colds.It has been proven since that mega doses of Vitamin C or any kind of vitamin are not effective on the body at all.

Another misconception doing the rounds is that Zinc tablets can play a role in mitigating COVID -19. However this isn’t backed by evidence either.Zinc and Vitamin C are not immunity boosters. They are essential micronutrients (like helper molecules required to enable the enzymes of the body to act) for the body to function normally. By consuming excess amounts of vitamins, you are not improving your chance of fighting the virus.

Back in the days of famines, such deficiencies were common. Now unless one is starving or following an extreme diet depleted of nutrients, such deficiencies are very rare.

Now, if immunity cannot be improved, how do they stay safe in a pandemic situation which is spread by an invisible virus?

The most effective way is by keeping our communities safe.

In this approach, investment in public hygiene – separating sewage from drinking water, providing clean air, adequate nutrition are ways of dealing with stopping the spread of infectious disease in the community, says the immunologist SatyajitRath, IISER Pune.

Immunologist, Vishwakarma further adds – “There may be a lot of medicine-drug interactions. If people are consuming modern medicines and also consuming medicinal herbs, we do not know how the component of the herb will react with the drug. Hence unapproved medications can adversely affect the liver and kidney”.

However there are processes which actually improve our immune system:

The best of them is exercise.

Moderate exercise of less than 60 minutes can improve the circulation of anti-inflammatory/cytokines and T cells and B cells.

This is effective, not for combating diseases at a specific point in time, but to combat stress hormones, as stress can suppress immune cell functions.

In short, stay fit and care for your environment to stay healthy!

Mrs. Louella Santimano Dias