When the number of people infected with COVID-19 exploded last year, so did the number of products and services touted to boost immunity. There was no escaping talk of vitamin infusions, mushroom extracts, and immune-boosting "injections." Nor could we get away from Dr. Anthony Fauci (opens in new tab), who became a household name after 40 years of trying to prevent Americans from getting sick. He explained to Men's Health magazine (opens in new tab) that you can't buy a good immune system. If you do things like "don't smoke, drink in moderation, sleep well, eat a healthy diet, exercise, and reduce stress, you can keep your immune system healthy, not supplements or herbs," according to his own interview in MH (opens in new tab). Take my advice:

Do what you have to do. Know the exceptions to "vitamins don't work" Start with a good breakfast Sleep, or at least take a nap Keep COVID-19 away

"My day is a series of major stresses from morning to night, so there is no way to reduce stress during the day," says Dr. Fauci.

In September, when Dr. Fauci stated that he takes vitamin D and that low vitamin D makes him more susceptible to infections, people took the words "I take vitamin D" as "you should take vitamin D." Not so. "If you are deficient in D, then it is important that you take vitamin D supplements, because if you are deficient in D, then it is important that you take vitamin D supplements, because if you are deficient in D, then it is important that you take vitamin D supplements. Doctors can test vitamin D levels with a blood test.

While no specific food will boost immunity, Dr. Fauci says that an overall balanced diet will help maintain good health. He strives for balance, but sometimes gets the "timing" wrong. So he starts his day with a "fairly consistent, healthy breakfast - usually pomegranate juice and egg whites on an English muffin. On busy nights, he sometimes eats a takeout salad or a salmon burger.

We'll defer a bit to this doctor's own advice. Because his sleep has taken a hit to lessen the blow of the rest of our illnesses; when COVID-19 first spiked, "I was getting a ridiculous amount of sleep, like three or four hours a night. Now it's five to six hours, which isn't bad," he says, "but it's not optimal. When he has a half hour between appointments, "I lay down on the couch in my office and take a nap."

Dr. Fauci wears a mask (opens in new tab), always washes his hands, and "compulsively" sanitizes. When we grow tired of being vigilant, he says, "we need to recognize the seriousness of the situation." With more than 250,000 deaths in the U.S. today, "there is no end in sight. I think that is incentive enough to be diligent." But he knows it will be difficult. 'Don't be discouraged. I think we should understand that the end is coming. Hang in there."