Older adults are at risk for poor immune response to infections, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although no diet can prevent COVID-19, eating healthily protects your health and strengthens your immune system. Healthy eating is very important for older individuals, especially those with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, or cancer.
Fig 1, Fig 1, Fig 1 provides 10 dietary recommendations to help you choose healthy foods and get the nutrients you need for overall good health and a strong immune system.1 , 2 These recommendations are based on advice provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations3 and the World Health Organization.4
Fig 1.
Ten dietary recommendations for a strong immune system. Images from the Noun Project1
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Talk to your health care provider or a registered dietitian about your diet and lifestyle habits. They will help you develop a healthy diet plan that meets your needs, tastes, and budget. The plan should consider your lifestyle, health status, living arrangements and economic situation.
Additional resources:
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The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Adult BMI Calculator website: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/english_bmi_calculator/bmi_calculator.html
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Additional United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website resources: https://www.usda.gov/coronavirus
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The National Institute of Ageing's website contains sample menus for older adults that can be found here: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/sample-menus-healthy-eating-older-adults
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Dr Elena Philippou has produced a video titled “Eat to boost your immune system” with scientific information. This can be found on her YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/FEdUw7XZt3E
Authorship
This page was developed by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine COVID and Frailty Task Force members Elena Philippou, PhD, RD (e-mail address: Philippou.e@unic.ac.cy); Ahmed Negm, MD, MSc, PhD; and Patricia C. Heyn PhD, FGSA, FACRM.
Disclaimer
This information is not meant to replace the advice of a medical professional. You should always consult your health care provider if you have any specific medical concerns or questions about treatment. This Information/Education Page may be reproduced for noncommercial use for health care professionals and other service providers to share with their patients or clients. Any other reproduction is subject to approval by the publisher.
Acknowledgment
We thank Susan Carollo, BS, for her contribution and input as a consumer in the content of this page.
References
- 1.Noun Project (creators: tulpahn, Econceptive, Creative Stall, monkik, Simon Lι, Royyan Razka, Andrei Yuskchenko, Vector Bakery, Sergei Shramko, Turkkub, Carlo Pico, Eucalyp, Ninejipjip, Georgiana Ionescu, Icons Producer). Available at: https://thenounproject.com. Accessed February 2, 2021.
- 2.World Health Organization. Obesity and overweight. Available at:https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight. Accessed November 18, 2020.
- 3.Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Maintaining a healthy diet during the COVID-19 pandemic. Available at: http://www.fao.org/3/ca8380en/CA8380EN.pdf. Accessed November 18, 2020.
- 4.World Health Organization. Nutrition advice for adults during the COVID-19 outbreak. Available at: http://www.emro.who.int/nutrition/nutrition-infocus/nutrition-advice-for-adults-during-the-covid-19-outbreak.html. Accessed November 18, 2020.