Dietary supplements important weapon for fighting off COVID-19.

ISLAMABAD -- Supplements containing vitamins C and D and other micronutrients are a safe, effective and low-cost means of helping your immune system fight off COVID-19 and other acute respiratory tract diseases, researchers said.

According to the study, published in the journal Nutrients, public health officials should issue a clear set of nutritional recommendations to complement messages about the role of handwashing and vaccinations in preventing the spread of infections.

"There's a wealth of data that shows the role that good nutrition plays in supporting the immune system. As a society, we need to be doing a better job of getting that message across along with the other important, more common messages," said study researcher Adrian Gombart from Oregon State University in the US.

Specific vitamins, minerals and fatty acids have key jobs to play in helping your immune system, Gombart said. In particular vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and an omega-3 fatty acid found in fish, docosahexaenoic acid, also...