I'm a little ashamed to admit I hadn't taken the time to really look into this myself...despite the fact that I've been getting sick all the time! This is another case of the shoe makers children not having shoes, or in this case, the dietitian not making time to care for herself! I really need to get better at that.
There are a few specific vitamins and minerals that help with immune function: Zinc, selenium, iron, copper, vitamins A, C, D, E, B6 and folic acid. So if you get sick all the time you should try supplementing these, right? Wrong! Turns out, as always, your body is a little more complex and amazing. Your body needs these nutrients in specific ratios. In other words, if you supplement a lot of one nutrient, you may prevent your body from being able to properly use another nutrient.
So what are you supposed to do? First and for most is eat a healthy, balanced diet and take care of your body. Eat a variety of colorful fruits, vegetables and whole grains to make sure you are getting all of the vitamins you need. There really is no substitute for this. They also are high in fiber which help the good bacteria in your intestines and they may help keep you from getting sick. Second, make sure your food isn't making you sick. Wash produce, cook foods fully, wash and sanitize your kitchen, keep your hands clean, don't leave leftovers sitting out to get full of germs. Third, if you've already done these things and are still getting sick you may try a multivitamin that provides a moderate dosage of vitamins and minerals. Do not go for mega doses of vitamins because you may actually harm your body. Do not just supplement one vitamin or mineral because you may make the problem worse.
Just after I finished this post I got this little gem from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Check out these awesome tips for when you are sick!
Not sure where to start or want to know which foods you should eat to get enough zinc, selenium, iron, copper, vitamins A, C, E B6 and folic acid? Contact me for a diet analysis and consultation to see what is missing from your diet.
There are a few specific vitamins and minerals that help with immune function: Zinc, selenium, iron, copper, vitamins A, C, D, E, B6 and folic acid. So if you get sick all the time you should try supplementing these, right? Wrong! Turns out, as always, your body is a little more complex and amazing. Your body needs these nutrients in specific ratios. In other words, if you supplement a lot of one nutrient, you may prevent your body from being able to properly use another nutrient.
So what are you supposed to do? First and for most is eat a healthy, balanced diet and take care of your body. Eat a variety of colorful fruits, vegetables and whole grains to make sure you are getting all of the vitamins you need. There really is no substitute for this. They also are high in fiber which help the good bacteria in your intestines and they may help keep you from getting sick. Second, make sure your food isn't making you sick. Wash produce, cook foods fully, wash and sanitize your kitchen, keep your hands clean, don't leave leftovers sitting out to get full of germs. Third, if you've already done these things and are still getting sick you may try a multivitamin that provides a moderate dosage of vitamins and minerals. Do not go for mega doses of vitamins because you may actually harm your body. Do not just supplement one vitamin or mineral because you may make the problem worse.
Just after I finished this post I got this little gem from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Check out these awesome tips for when you are sick!
Not sure where to start or want to know which foods you should eat to get enough zinc, selenium, iron, copper, vitamins A, C, E B6 and folic acid? Contact me for a diet analysis and consultation to see what is missing from your diet.