In The Know – While there are many different ways to fight against the common cold and the flu, diet and regular exercise are two important factors in your control.
The best way to get the nutrients your immune system needs is to eat a wide variety of healthy foods.
That’s usually a better option than taking a supplement. Overloading on specific nutrients won’t give your immune system a super boost, and taking too much of some of them can do more harm than good.
Focusing on a well-balanced diet filled with nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains is the key.
Keep reading for a list of foods to include in your diet to strengthen your immune system:
Protein: This may be especially helpful in healing and recovery. You can find this in plant and animal products such as milk, eggs, beef, chicken, fish, nuts, beans and seeds.
Vitamin A: This helps regulate the immune system and protect against infections. Look for it in sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, spinach, eggs or milk and cereal fortified with vitamin A.
Vitamin C: Look for this in citrus fruit. It helps the immune system produce antibodies.
Vitamin D: Find it in fatty fish and eggs, as well as drinks fortified with vitamin D.
Vitamin E: This works as an antioxidant. Antioxidants decrease inflammation. Find vitamin E in fortified cereals, sunflower seeds, vegetable oils and peanut butter.
Zinc: This may help wounds heal. You can find it in wheat germ, beans and tofu, but zinc is best from animal sources like beef and fish.
Probiotics: Probiotics are sometimes called good bacteria … READ MORE.
