A doctor refutes the “myth” of onions, garlic and lemon to strengthen immunity

Margarita Provoturova, laboratory medicine consultant at the Center for Molecular Diagnostics of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of the Russian Consumer Protection Authority, said that the acute strengthening of immunity with lemon, garlic, onion or ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is a myth, according to the Russian news agency “Sputnik”. . It is certain that foods should be included in the general diet, but they do not reduce the risk of infection.
“There is a great myth that garlic, lemon and onions are immune factors. These are healthy foods that should be included in the diet, but not as a product that can significantly strengthen the immune system,” she said. Noting that there is no special product (magic pill) that can boost immunity. Immunity is made up of many factors, one of which is a healthy and varied diet.
Provoturova indicated that the diet should contain an adequate amount of proteins obtained from meat and dairy products, and a required amount of vitamins and minerals found in fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs. Stressing that there is another common myth, which is the need for vitamin “C” in the cold season in the form of lemon, grapefruit and orange. Explaining that “studies have shown that vitamin C does not affect the duration of the course of respiratory viral infection and does not reduce the risk of infection.”
The Russian expert stressed that only a doctor should prescribe vitamin compounds to a person. A person alone cannot know which vitamins are sufficient and which are not sufficient. And she continued that when a person consumes vitamin compounds by himself without consulting a doctor, he can have a negative reaction, the so-called “hypervitaminosis”, so you must first pass the tests and determine whether there is a deficiency in vitamins. At the same time, the doctor recommended that there is no need to take any vitamins, especially if the person adheres to a balanced diet.

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