Four Vitamins and Minerals to Boost Your Immune System
Germs – they’re everywhere. On the handrail up the stairs to your office,the dumbbells at the gym and the sink in your 
bathroom. Sometimes no matter how many times you wash your hands you just can’t seem to get away from the germs or avoid a cold.
The Problem
You have a weak immune system. You may not think so, but the lack of certain vitamins and minerals in your daily diet can make your immune system a wide open goal for catching bacteria and germs that lead to you being sick and in bed.
The Good News
This is not a lost cause. Strengthening your immune system is something that you can do quite easily. Whether through eating a wider variety of foods that have these vitamins and minerals or by adding a few supplements to your diet you can easily boost your immune system and start fighting off those germs.
What Vitamins and Minerals do I need?
Zinc
As an essential nutrient to every cell of our body zinc is a great mineral to help ward off those nasty germs. Zinc helps to increase the levels of T-Cells and white blood cells in our body. The increase of these two types of cells helps to fight off the nasty germs and bacteria that infect your body. Zinc also helps to increase the fight against colds as it strenthens the immune system.
Have a cold while reading this? Pop some zinc tablets and watch the duration of your cold decrease drastically!
Where can you find zinc? Besides zinc tablets, zinc is commonly found in yogurt, oysters and some cereals.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an important part of any healthy immune system. Vitamin E aides in the production of cells that help to destroy germs and bacteria that attack your body. This mineral also helps the creation of B-cells; B-cells produce antibodies that fight bacteria. Adding Vitamin E to your diet is pretty simple – besides taking a supplement Vitamin E is commonly found in many oils and nuts. So next time you need a healthy snack at work – grab a handful of almonds or add some olive oil as a dressing to your spinach salad – and help your immune system get stronger.
Selenium
Many of us don’t think of eating oysters as a way to strengthen our immune system, but oysters are a great source of selenium, which helps ward off disease. Selenium has been found to increase the number of white blood cells. The increase of white blood cells in our body helps to strengthen our immune system and, as scientists have recently discovered, selenium helps to decrease the risk of cancer.
Combining selenium with Vitamin E – is a great immune boosting combo. How? Vitamin E destroys the radicals or the germs and bacteria that affect your body. When you add selenium to your diet the effects of vitamin E are that much greater.
Not a seafood fan? Don’t worry. Selenium is also found in many nuts, whole grains, chicken and other sources of fish.
Vitamin C
We all know that Vitamin C can ‘cure the common cold’, but it can also prevent the common cold. Vitamin C is a necessary part of your immune boosting diet. Vitamin C helps to increase the body’s production of white blood cells – increasing the bodies defense system against infection. It also raises the levels of interferon in the body. Interferon prevents viruses from actually entering the body.
You don’t need to turn orange trying to get enough Vitamin C. Try taking a supplement, adding citrus fruits, or eating more green vegetables such as broccoli and brussels sprouts.
Beat cold and flu season this year by adding one or even better ALL of these vitamins and minerals to your flat stomach diet.
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Last week was a crappy week for me, had a stomach virus..lost a few pounds, but I know it’s not the best way to drop lb’s..I was missing my workouts big time… 100% better..and back at it : )
[...] to Fix it? Make sure that your diet is well-balanced and rich vitamins and minerals such as, B vitamins, protein and Omega 3 fatty acids. If you need too, try a multi-vitamin or add a [...]
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