One of the best ways to keep yourself from getting sick is to keep your immune system fortified with everything it needs to fight off any illness. Exercise is also crucial, alongside a healthy diet. If you want to make sure you’re protecting yourself as much as possible, here are five nutrients you need to tackle some of the most common illnesses.
- Antioxidants
Antioxidants are found in certain foods and help fight the oxidation process. This group of compounds is thought to help fight a range of diseases, protect the memory and slow down the aging process. Antioxidants are found mostly in plant foods including carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, blueberries, pomegranates, peanuts and more. The best way to get the full range of antioxidants into your body is with a diet that includes foods from all the colors of the rainbow.
- Vitamins
Vitamins play an essential role in keeping your body healthy. It is possible to get all the vitamins your body needs with a healthy diet. There are times, however, when extra vitamins are required, a specialist IV hydration therapy, such as Reset IV’s Flu Recovery is one example. When you’re feeling under the weather because of the flu or a cold, an extra intake of vitamins can help the recovery process.
- Calcium
Calcium is important for the health of your bones. It also helps maintain heart rhythm and muscle function. Dairy products are the most common source of calcium. Good sources include milk, cheese, yogurt, broccoli, kale, and Chinese cabbage, fortified cereals, juices, soy products, and tofu.
- Fiber
Fiber is well-known for helping lower cholesterol, but there are a few other roles it can play in the health of your body. Fiber-rich foods work wonders in the body by regulating blood-sugar levels, reducing the risk or coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, breast cancer, colon cancer, and gastrointestinal disorders. Dietary fiber can be divided into insoluble and soluble. Both help move the body’s waste products through the proper channels by binding with them. Fiber also has an important role to play in improving our body’s immune system, thanks to its effectiveness in enhancing your gastrointestinal system. Fiber feeds good bacteria, helping them to grow and win over bad bugs in your intestine. Real, whole foods are the best source of fiber there is.
- Phytochemicals
You must remember your mom telling you “eat your fruit and vegetables!” She might not have understood the science behind this advice, but it was sound in every other way. Phytochemicals are contained in fruits, vegetables, whole foods, and whole grains. These compounds are able to alter body processes and protect against heart disease, cancer and a range of other chronic diseases. The more brightly colored the food you eat, the higher the level of phytochemicals. The best way to ensure you get all the potential benefits is to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. There are more than 1,000 phytochemicals, and more are being discovered.
These are some of the most important nutrients when it comes to fighting off common illnesses. Make sure your diet includes everything your body needs and you’ll stay fit and healthy for longer.
