As you are well aware, cold and flu season is going strong this winter. Those, and other viruses, tend to flourish in indoor locations during the cool months of the year. And you know that regularly washing your hands, avoiding close contact with others, and refraining from touching our faces can help to prevent the spread of viruses. But what else can you do?
Sometimes, coming into contact with a virus is inevitable. But how your immune system responds, and how sick you get, depends solely upon individual factors such as your level of health (and sometimes even luck). Yes, there are ways to support your immune system in order to prompt a better response, and often this can result in not getting sick (or at least not as sick).
Everyone responds differently to different measures, of course, but we can definitely agree that a healthy diet never hurt anyone. Focus on getting more vitamins A, C, D, and E in your diet, along with minerals such as zinc. Plus, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants reduce inflammation in the body. The following fifteen foods contain high levels of these important, immune-boosting nutrients:
- Broccoli
- Citrus fruits
- Berries
- Leafy greens
- Sweet potatoes
- Beans and legumes
- Whole grains
- Oats
- Lean meats
- Fatty fish
- Greek yogurt
- Eggs
- Pumpkin seeds
- Ginger
- Honey
Aside from diet, there are other measures you can take to keep yourself healthy. Get plenty of sunlight by spending time outdoors, so that your body generates its own vitamin D. Avoid stress, sugar, and white flour, all of which can strain your immune system. And make sure to get plenty of quality sleep, to keep your hormones in balance and reduce stress.
As you might imagine, the above foods are good for you in other ways, too! If you’re ready to pursue a weight loss or anti-aging regimen, call our office to schedule a consultation. We can help you learn which foods you should be eating for better health, slower aging, and weight loss if that is a concern for you.
