NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
We have had many people asking us about nutritional supplements during the pandemic. It appears that there has been a massive demand for these and some of them seem to be sold out in many pharmacies, making availability a problem for everyone.
Why are people wanting to use nutritional supplements during the COVID pandemic?
Until a vaccine is available, we know that we have to rely on our immune system to be as strong as possible. This is because our immune system is the body’s defence against potentially harmful bacteria, viruses and other organisms.
A healthy lifestyle – not smoking, drinking little or no alcohol, sleeping well, good nutrition, taking regular exercise and reducing stress – helps to support our immune system to carry out its important work. This means we need to pay attention to all of these, especially during the pandemic
We have known for a long time that nutrition is intricately linked to immunity and to the risk and severity of infections. Lack of good nutrition places us at greater risk of various bacterial, viral, and other infections. Therefore, it is imperative for all of us to pay attention to our diet and nutritional status during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The best nutrition comes from following a healthy varied diet, but surveys have shown that many people’s diets may be lacking in the necessary quantities of essential vitamins and minerals. In other words, they may not have optimal levels of certain important nutrients. Nutritional supplements are a safe, effective and low-cost way to support our immune system where our diet may be deficient.
Which nutritional supplements are important in relation to infections?
There is no evidence yet that any supplement or medicine can prevent us getting COVID-19. We need to wait for a vaccine. There is, however, information that certain nutritional supplements could potentially help support our immune systems to help fight infections, including viral infections.
Experts have suggested that the following nutritional supplements may be helpful to take during the COVID-19 pandemic:
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Zinc
• Vitamin B1 and B3
Which products are available and how should they be taken?
If any member wishes to consider taking nutritional supplements during the pandemic, as a service to you, our members, we have compiled a list of what we believe are suitable products. We have made sure they contain the doses we think might be appropriate, and are available at the best possible price we could find.
We have established that these products are available at Dischem, but you might find that other pharmacies have equivalent products, although the prices will vary. You are of course at liberty to buy from the local pharmacy of your choice.
*NOTE: If you cannot find these products on the shelves at Dischem, please ask a consultant or pharmacist at Dischem to help you with a product that contains the same ingredients at the dosages we suggest.
Please note that members must not feel obliged to purchase nutritional supplements. This note is to help those who have been asking us what nutritional supplements to take during the pandemic.
Do not stop prevention measures
Nutritional supplements support the immune system. Social distancing, wearing a mask, sanitizing with hand sanitizers that contain at least 60% alcohol, and regular hand washing several times a day with soap and water remain the most effective and proven methods to reduce risk and spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).