Autumn is a season prone to various respiratory illnesses. Apart from the flu, there have been many cases of people suffering from Mycoplasma infection recently, causing persistent coughing. Due to the lack of a vaccine, high antibiotic resistance, and easy transmission, it is often referred to as “walking pneumonia.” Common symptoms include severe coughing, fever, white or bloody phlegm, and even pleural effusion or pulmonary edema.

The high-risk groups for Mycoplasma infection are children and adolescents aged 5 to 15 years old. However, droplet and contact transmission often lead to the entire family experiencing the distress of coughing. Additionally, after infection, there is no immune protection, making secondary infections highly likely. Therefore, frequent handwashing, wearing masks, and minimizing contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth when going out remain fundamental preventive measures.

In addition, maintaining a nutritious diet can enhance self-protection. Senior functional medicine nutritionist Lu Mei Bao pointed out that based on literature, the most important aspect is supplementing two essential vitamins: vitamin A and vitamin D.

• Vitamin A: It is associated with the growth and differentiation of epithelial cells and plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of tracheal epithelial cells, immune cell function, and alleviating inflammation.
• Vitamin D: In addition to promoting bone health, it also plays a key role in cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, anti-inflammatory responses, and immune regulation.

Lu Mei Bao also mentioned that several clinical studies involving children have shown that when vitamin A and D levels are insufficient, the rates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and the likelihood of diarrhea increase, and the inflammatory conditions in the body become more prominent.

3 Tips to Strengthen Defense and Prevent Mycoplasma Infection:

Overall, to prevent Mycoplasma infection and avoid secondary infections, here are three dietary recommendations:

1. Pay attention to balanced nutrition, especially sufficient intake of vitamin A and D: Vitamin A can be obtained from animal liver, carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach. Vitamin D can be obtained from deep-sea fish such as salmon and mackerel, as well as eggs, milk, and cheese.
2. Consume an adequate and diverse amount of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains: Dietary fiber found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is a preferred food source for beneficial bacteria. Consuming unsweetened yogurt, preferably made from pure fresh milk with clear labeling of live bacterial count, or supplementing specific probiotics can help support the growth of various beneficial bacteria.
3. Consume anti-inflammatory fats: This includes omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish oil, as well as oils higher in monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acids such as olive oil and camellia oil, which can help alleviate inflammation in the body.

Source: Neowave