Ten Immune Boosting Foods against Lassa Fever

Lassa fever is an acute viral illness that occurs in West Africa. The illness was discovered in 1969 when two missionary nurses died in Nigeria, West Africa. The cause of the illness was found to be Lassa virus, named after the town in Nigeria where the first cases originated. While Lassa fever is mild or has no observable symptoms in about 80% of people infected with the virus, the remaining 20% have a severe multi-system disease. Lassa fever is also associated with occasional epidemics, during which the case-fatality rate can reach 50%. (Source: CDC).

In Nigeria alone, 17 states are already affected with 62 lives claimed. The current mortality rate in Nigeria stands at 43.2%, which is quite high. Symptoms of the illness range from fever symptoms to retrosternal pain (pain behind the chest wall), sore throat, back pain, cough, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, facial swelling, proteinuria (protein in the urine), and mucosal bleeding.

Immunity levels have been found to be a major determining factor in recovery from any illness. Include these foods to daily meals and get the boost needed. We urge you to fortify your body with these foods;

Garlic 

Garlic is a pungent herb and one of nature's best antibiotics. Due to the powerful sulphur containing nutrients and immune stimulator within garlic, it is classified as a superfood herb. Consumption of garlic daily may be one of the best defences against infection and inflammatory-based disease.

Citrus

Most people turn to vitamin C after they've caught a cold. But did you know it tops the chart of foods that keep your immune system running at 100 percent? Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells. These are key to fighting infections. Because your body does not produce or store it, daily intake of vitamin C is essential for bubbling health. Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, and with such a variety to choose from it is easy to add a squeeze of C to any meal.

Broccoli

Super-charged with an arsenal of vitamins and minerals, with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as numerous antioxidants, broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables you can put on your table. The key to keeping its power intact is to cook it as little as possible — or better yet, not at all!

Spinach

Makes the list not just because it is rich in vitamin C but also because it is packed with numerous antioxidants and beta-carotene, which may increase the infection-fighting capability of our immune systems. Similar to broccoli, it is best cooked as little as possible so that its nutrients are retained.

Yoghurt

When selecting yoghurt, look out for "live and active cultures" printed on the label. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, these cultures may stimulate your immune system to help fight diseases.

Green Tea

Both green and black teas are packed with flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. Where green tea really shines is in its levels of epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, another powerful antioxidant. It is also a good source of the amino acid L-theanine. L-theanine may aid in the production of germ-fighting compounds in your T-cells.

Oats And Barley

These grains contain beta-glucan, a type of fibre with antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities more potent than echinacea, reports a Norwegian study. When animals eat this compound, they are less likely to contract influenza, herpes, even anthrax; in humans, it boosts immunity, hastens wound healing, and may help antibiotics work better.

Beef

Surprised? Don’t be. Beef is an excellent source of zinc. Zinc in your diet is very important for the development of white blood cells, the intrepid immune system cells that recognize and destroy invading bacteria, viruses, and assorted other bad guys, says William Boisvert, Ph.D., an expert in nutrition and immunity at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California.

Onion

Onions contain quercetin and allicin which slows down and kills viruses and bacteria, boosting your immune system.

Graviola (Sour sop)

or what is locally called ‘Sharp sharp’ have a load of benefits that are not popular, one of it is its immune boosting properties. Even the resourceful FDA in US approved it as an immune booster.

      Kitchen tip:To get the biggest benefits of antioxidants, eat these foods raw or lightly-steamed. Don’t overcook or boil them.