News
Swiss panel releases diet recommendations to support immunity during pandemic
4 Nov 2020It’s no secret that diet can aid in one’s overall health, but an expert panel in collaboration with the Swiss Society of Nutrition has defined a particular cocktail of micronutrients to support a well-functioning immune system with a special focus on COVID-19 viral infections.
Researchers found that vitamin C, vitamin D, selenium, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids were key ingredients to integrate into an optimal diet in order to reduce the risk of viral infections.
![Swiss panel releases diet recommendations to support immunity during pandemic](/img/ingnet-logo.png)
Specifically, the panel recommended 200 mg per day of vitamin C; 2000 IU (50 µg) of vitamin D daily, which is higher than the daily recommended intake of 800 IU; 50 -100 µg per person per day of selenium; and 10 mg per person daily of zinc.
The recommended micronutrients recommended by the panel all had the common denominator of working to reduce inflammation within the body. As the coronavirus is a severe acute respiratory syndrome that causes constriction within the blood vessels, having a bank of micronutrients in the body’s system to reduce the body’s inflammatory response has been shown to reduce the mortality rate from the novel coronavirus.
The expert panel based its findings on the needs of the Swiss population but noted its research was applicable to residents of other European countries. This research was conducted in an effort to develop a public health recommendation for the Swiss government that incorporates additional cost-effective supportive measure to help manage the current coronavirus pandemic and to influence policymakers to also consider nutritional guidance in addition to hygiene, distancing, drugs and vaccinations.
In the white paper, the panel noted that although “a possible risk management strategy is to strengthen efforts for a well-balanced and diverse diet. This long-lasting effort will not deliver fast results.” To speed up the efficacy of nutrition as a means to combat the pandemic, the experts suggested complementing diets with supplements. The panel stressed that an improved diet supported by supplements is particularly important for older adults that are 65 years of age or older.
Related news
![Japanese-inspired umami products expand into global consumer markets](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/44/32/th124432.png)
Japanese-inspired umami products expand into global consumer markets
17 May 2024
Brands are responding to shoppers' interest in cooking ingredients with deep flavours, by launching new products that emphasise umami-rich flavours inspired by Japanese cuisine.
Read more![Plant-based marketing 101: How to create a standout plant-based dairy product](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/42/32/th124232.png)
Plant-based marketing 101: How to create a standout plant-based dairy product
30 Apr 2024
Aurore de Monclin from HMT, the marketing firm that helped rebrand Oatly, shares her tips to create a plant-based dairy brand that stands out from the crowd.
Read more![The UK considers new food labelling requirements](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/42/30/th124230.png)
The UK considers new food labelling requirements
29 Apr 2024
The UK government is carrying out a consultation on “fairer and clearer” food labelling designed to provide transparency to consumers and support farmers by recognising their products.
Read more![PAN calls for ban after ‘forever chemicals’ found in UK food](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/42/06/th124206.png)
PAN calls for ban after ‘forever chemicals’ found in UK food
26 Apr 2024
Campaign group Pesticide Action Network (PAN) found PFAS pesticides, or ‘forever chemicals’, in over half of the samples of British produce it tested – but the UK government says strict limits are in place.
Read more![US legislative push to ban 7 food additives in schools](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/42/04/th124204.png)
US legislative push to ban 7 food additives in schools
17 Apr 2024
Proposed legislation would prohibit the use of seven additives – six artificial colours and titanium dioxide – in food and drink served in US state schools.
Read more![Portugal officially adopts NutriScore](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/41/57/th124157.png)
Portugal officially adopts NutriScore
10 Apr 2024
Portugal has adopted the NutriScore as its official – but voluntary – front-of-pack nutrition label to promote healthy eating, with researchers calling this “a great victory for science and public health”.
Read more![Danish Crown’s ‘climate-controlled’ claim misleading, court finds](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/39/61/th123961.png)
Danish Crown’s ‘climate-controlled’ claim misleading, court finds
20 Mar 2024
Leading EU pork producer Danish Crown has been found guilty of greenwashing by misleading consumers with marketing claims about its “climate-controlled” pork and “climate-friendly” production.
Read more![Ultra-processed food intake in South Africa at concerning levels, study suggests](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/39/42/th123942.png)
Ultra-processed food intake in South Africa at concerning levels, study suggests
19 Mar 2024
As South Africa considers introducing front-of-pack warning labels and strict marketing limits for unhealthy foods, research has found that low-income South Africans get around half of their calories from ultra-processed foods (UPFs) – “a cause for con...
Read more![Brazilian manufacturers must comply with warning label regulation, says court](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/38/54/th123854.png)
Brazilian manufacturers must comply with warning label regulation, says court
7 Mar 2024
The Federal Court of São Paulo has ruled that Brazilian manufacturers must comply with front-of-pack labelling regulation that requires unhealthy products to feature warning labels, scrapping a last-minute one-year extension.
Read more![US pet food regulations unravel the mysteries of product labelling](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/38/04/th123804.png)
US pet food regulations unravel the mysteries of product labelling
4 Mar 2024
New regulations governing the labelling of pet foods were approved by AAFCO members last July, providing the first major update to pet food regulations in 40 years. The move was a response to pet owners asking for clarity on labels that left many confu...
Read more