Amidst the Coronavirus outbreak, numerous online searches are being conducted to see what the best preventative measures are to combat the pandemic. Washing hands, avoiding handshakes, and staying away from large crowds are common tactics that are currently being advised. In addition, keeping the immune system strong through the below nutrition recommendations can help you stay healthy amidst this uncertain time.
Antioxidants
Consuming antioxidant-rich foods such as berries, spinach, and beans will help to combat free radicals. Free radicals are commonly found in many facets of our environment, and they are unstable molecules that damage healthy molecules by stealing their electrons. Consuming foods with antioxidants help to combat the free radicals which can prevent inflammation, aging, and illness.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common despite it being one of the most crucial vitamins to have adequate amounts of, so it's imperative to get your levels checked. Some studies have shown that supplementing with vitamin D can lower the incidence of respiratory illnesses. Vitamin D can be found in foods like wild salmon and egg yolks, however, a supplement may be needed to get adequate amounts of the vitamin. Responsible sun exposure (around 15 minutes with no sunblock) will work wonders for vitamin D levels so if you live in a sunny climate, grab your bikini and layout just for a little bit before you slather on the sunblock. If you don't live in a warm area and find it difficult to locate vitamin D-rich foods, check out our supplement here!
Vitamin C
The other popular immunity booster, vitamin C is found in a variety of citrus fruits, but it may be surprising to find that red bell peppers have twice the amount of vitamin C than oranges. If you're not a bell pepper fan, grab some oranges, lemons, and grapefruits but remember that drinking orange juice is extremely high in sugar and doesn't have the same nutrient compounds due to processing. Eating the whole orange is much lower in sugar, and higher in nutrients.
Good Bacteria
Our bodies contain good bacteria and bad bacteria--poor diets, alcohol, medication, and smoking can promote bad bacteria so consuming good bacteria is important for keeping a healthy balance. Gut health is certainly linked to our overall wellness so getting probiotics from items such as Kefir, Kombucha, sauerkraut, and olives aid the immune system--it is also said that the good bacteria cultures can help to stimulate the immune system, fending off illness.
Medicinal Spices
Cooking extras such as garlic, turmeric, and ginger host a variety of wellness-promoting properties such as being anti-inflammatory and immune boosting due to sulfur-containing compounds. These three spices have actually been used, medicinally for over 4,500 years!
The above components are the best weapon when used in conjunction with each other so employing as many of these foods as possible will be the most effective for overall health and wellness. If you need an added boost with a multi-vitamin, click here. As concerns grow about the new Coronavirus, keep calm, wash your hands, and get some good nutrition.
