A healthcare expert has shared the best three vitamins you should be taking to help reduce the risk of catching norovirus – a highly contagious sickness bug rapidly sweeping across the UK.
Norovirus infections surged by nearly a third (29%) in the last month, according to the latest NHS data.
Key symptoms of the infection include suddenly feeling sick, projectile vomiting, and severe diarrhoea, as well as a slight fever, headaches, painful stomach cramps, and aching limbs.
These symptoms can appear up to two days after the initial infection and usually last for two to three days.
Healthcare expert Savneesh Bhogal of Virtual College has shared the three vitamins you should be taking to avoid falling ill with the horrible sickness bug.
He told Gloucestershire Live: “Vitamins A, C, E and zinc are great for boosting your immune system after an infection or illness.”
Vitamin A
Helps with your body’s natural defence against illness and infection while supporting the healthy function of your immune system.
Foods rich in Vitamin A include carrots, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, eggs, butternut squash and mango.
Vitamin C
This is an antioxidant and helps with phagocytosis – a process that destroys pathogens.
Oranges and grapefruit are rich in Vitamin C, as well as kiwi, mango, papaya, pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and cranberries.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E helps to strengthen the body’s natural defence against illness and infection.
Green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils are all rich in vitamin E.
Zinc
Zinc is crucial for the development of T cells, which are vitally important in the fight against infections.
The body is unable to produce zinc, meaning it must come from foods such as oysters, beef, cashews, yogurt, pumpkin seeds, legumes, whole grains, and seeds.
However be warned, as some supplements shouldn’t be taken together. Savneesh said: “Don’t take large doses of calcium and magnesium at the same time, as they compete for absorption when taken in large doses,” the expert explained.
“Similarly, space vitamin C and vitamin B12 at least two hours apart as high doses of vitamin C can decrease the absorption and metabolism of vitamin B12.
“Supplements that aren’t designed to be taken together can be taken at the same time, they just need to be spaced out throughout the day.
“For example, spacing them out throughout the day or morning or evening. Some supplements may need to be taken with food, and some may be administered daily, multiple times a day, or even weekly.
“If you are not sure about dosage, contact your healthcare provider to ensure you are taking the correct dosage.”