In March 2020, the World Health Organization designated the influenza virus COVID-19 a pandemic. Dr. Aileen Burford-Mason’s new book,The War Against Viruses, explains how we can help reduce the risk and severity of COVID-19 infection. But it goes beyond this, showing how staying well in general, and avoiding winter colds and flus in particular, is possible with optimal nutrition.

When operating efficiently, the immune system represents biological teamwork at its best: a symphony of protective cells and biomolecules acting together to rapidly recognize potentially harmful microbes and eliminate them. The orchestration of this complex system depends on a continuous and ample supply of essential components—vitamins, minerals, beneficial fats and other nutrients—to function properly. But a growing body of research shows that the nutritional content of our food has sharply declined over the course of the last century. As the use of high-yield industrial farming practices has increased, so the nutritional content has decreased.

The War Against Virusesshows how without a rounded intake of essential nutrients our immune response may be compromised, especially during emergencies. The book provides evidence-based advice on how to recognize gaps in our nutritional arsenal. Dr. Burford-Mason creates a personal supplement regime that can overcome potential dietary shortfalls by strengthening our immune response to infection, thus helping to reduce the potential for lethal illness.