DENGUE fever can lead to death if not addressed at an early stage of the disease.

There are many ways to fight dengue, from cleaning our surroundings to making our immune system healthy. With this current threat from dengue, it is important for people to have a healthy immune system to fight diseases and infections like dengue. Also, people with strong immunity have a faster chance of recovering from dengue. 

Vitamins and minerals are known to boost the immune system. Vitamin C is important in increasing the body’s resistance against infection and helps prevent coughs and colds. While Vitamin A aids in achieving proper immune function.

The chart presents the daily recommendations for Vitamin A and Vitamin C for the different age groups and gender.

Rich sources of Vitamin C are fruits such as dalandan, aratilis and guava.

Green leafy vegetables like malunggay and pechay and yellow vegetables like squash and carrots are rich sources of Vitamin A.

According to the Daily Food Guide Pyramid for Healthy Adults one should eat three-fourths cup of green, leafy and yellow vegetable and three-fourths cup of other vegetables.

One should eat a slice of big fruit from the Vitamin C-rich fruit group.

While some opt to take supplements, it is always best to get the nutrients from natural foods.

By eating vegetables and fruits, we will save ourselves from catching dengue and ward off other serious diseases.

Hence: an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

For more information on food and nutrition, contact:  Dr. Mario V. Capanzana,  director, Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City; Tel/Fax Num:  8372934 and 8373164; email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; FNRI-DOST website: http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph.

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(Celina Ann Z. Javier finished her Bachelor’s Degree in Food and Nutrition at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. She is a technical staff and writer at the Food and Nutrition Research Institute-Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST).