In today’s fast-paced world, where stress and unhealthy lifestyle choices have pushed healthcare to the bottom of the list of priorities, more and more young people are falling into the traps of major health issues, highlighting the importance of focusing on building immunity.
According to a study by the Indian Council of Medical Research, around 25% of urban youth suffer from hypertension and around 15% have been diagnosed with diabetes. Moreover, obesity rates among young people have increased by 40% in the past decade.
Speaking to the Onlymyhealth team, Anubhav Agarwal, MD and CEO, BN Group “While a balanced diet, adequate sleep and a healthy lifestyle are fundamental to good health, certain nutrients play an important role in boosting your immune defences. The so-called holy trinity are vitamins A, C and D. Together, these three regulate, strengthen and regulate your immune system.”
How Vitamins A, C, and D Work Together
“Vitamins A, C and D work together to ensure a comprehensive and balanced immune response. The three ensure that our immune system functions smoothly in multiple facets, from preventing pathogens from entering the body to effectively eliminating those that do enter,” Agarwal said.
Agarwal explained how each vitamin works together to boost overall immunity.
- Vitamin A: It helps maintain the integrity of skin and mucous membranes and regulates the immune system by supporting white blood cell production.
- Vitamin C: It is a powerful antioxidant that protects immune cells from damage and promotes the production of phagocytes and lymphocytes.
- Vitamin D: It aids in nutrient absorption, regulates the immune system, helps fight germs and bacteria, and has anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent excessive inflammation.
Source of Vitamins A, C, and D
The problem is, these three essential vitamins aren’t all found in one food, and Agarwal offered a solution: “Incorporating these vitamins into cooking oils is an effective way to make these essential nutrients easily available and support overall health and immunity.”
Edible oils fortified with Vitamins A, C and D make it easy to include these essential nutrients in your daily diet. According to FSSAI, incorporating them in edible oils is an effective strategy to combat micronutrient deficiencies. Fortified oils are recognised to provide 25% to 30% of the recommended intake of Vitamins A and D, making them a valuable source of nutrition.
Read also: Vitamin A Rich Diet: 7 Foods to Eat to Improve Your Eyesight and Overall Health
“Both vitamins A and D are known for their stability and this property makes them particularly suitable for fortifying edible oils,” Agarwal said, explaining, “Vitamin A is more stable in oil compared to other foods, which means that when it is added to edible oils, it retains its nutritional value more effectively. Similarly, the integrity of Vitamin D remains intact during both the processing and storage stages, ensuring that the health benefits of the vitamin reach the consumer.”
“The addition of these vitamins does not change the taste, aroma or colour of the oil. As they are invisible additives, consumers can enjoy the benefits without noticing a difference in taste. This feature is particularly important for enhancing the nutritional value of cooking oils while maintaining their natural appeal,” he added.
Read also: The Power of Oils for a Healthy Mind and Body: 10 Cooking Oils to Try
Agarwal listed out the benefits and ease of use of fortified edible oils:
- Vitamin fortified edible oils are a strategic approach to combat micronutrient malnutrition.
- Fortified edible oils ensure that vitamins are delivered efficiently to the body, increasing their bioavailability and effectiveness.
- The use of fortified oils can provide an efficient means of obtaining these essential nutrients, even for those with dietary restrictions or limited access to fresh produce.
- Investing in vitamin-infused cooking oils is a smart choice for health-conscious consumers as they seamlessly integrate into your daily cooking routine and provide essential nutrients without the need for additional supplements.
- The convenience of fortified edible oils ensures consistent intake, which is essential for maintaining optimum health.
The benefits of nutritious cooking oils
Agarwal concluded that edible oils forged with Vitamins A, C and D are an advanced approach to nutrition. These oils offer a practical solution to increase dietary intake of essential vitamins, support immune function and promote overall health. These vitamins can be easily incorporated into the oil without the need for complex and expensive equipment.
