Why do we need vitamin C and zinc when fasting?

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims are required to observe a full 30 days of fasting. People who fast are not allowed to eat, drink, and must observe other restrictions from sunrise to sunset. If estimated, in Indonesia you have to fast for 13 hours every day.

When fasting, you cannot eat and drink freely as usual. Eating is only allowed after the sun sets until the end of the meal. These dietary changes prevent the body from getting intake from food and drink during the day. As a result, you tire more easily and are susceptible to illnesses such as flu.

However, don't worry, you can still outsmart it by eating food sources that are rich in vitamin C and zinc. Come on, see the review of the importance of vitamin c and zinc below.

The role of vitamin C and zinc in maintaining endurance during fasting

Even though you are fasting, you still have to be active. Food that should be used as fuel for energy may not be available enough. The body also inevitably has to use fat as a reserve energy. Well, vitamin C plays an important role in this.

When the body processes vitamin C, a molecule called carnitine is released. These molecules transport fat to the interior of the mitochondria. Once inside the mitochondria, fat is then converted into energy. When the body's need for vitamin C is fulfilled, the process of converting fat into energy will run smoothly. You will not feel weak and powerless when fasting.

Vitamin C and zinc work together to support the immune system (immune). Vitamin C in the body stimulates the production of white blood cells so that the body becomes stronger against bacteria and viruses. As with vitamin C, zinc also plays a role in controlling and regulating the immune response to infections and pathogens (germs). The trick is to stimulate the activity of at least 100 enzymes in the body so that the body organs can still work normally.

As reported by WebMD, dr. Mark Moyad, MPH, a researcher from the University of Michigan said that vitamin C is very good for maintaining decreased immunity due to stress. With the presence of vitamin C, stress can be reduced and no longer disturbs the balance of the immune system.

In fact, vitamin C and zinc can reduce flu symptoms and speed up the body's recovery process. This allows the body to stay protected from the flu during the fasting month. Not only that, the antioxidants contained in vitamin C also protect the body from chronic diseases such as cancer, stroke and heart disease.

Where can you get vitamin C and zinc?

After knowing the many benefits of vitamin C and zinc, of course you don't want to miss it, right? Take it easy, vitamin C and zinc are very easy to find in food.

Foods high in vitamin C include oranges, guava, strawberries and tomatoes. While foods rich in zinc include broccoli, oysters, beef, spinach, peas, and lobster. You can eat foods rich in vitamin C and zinc at dawn or breaking the fast.

Apart from food, you can also get a combination of vitamin C and zinc directly from supplements such as Redoxon. Redoxon, which is high in vitamin C and zinc, is available in effervescent tablets, making it easier to drink. The time to take the supplement can be adjusted according to your needs, in the morning at dawn or at night after breaking the fast.

Eating foods rich in vitamin C and zinc coupled with Redoxon supplements certainly provides double protection for the body's immune system during fasting. So, you don't need to worry about falling during your activities in the month of Ramadan.