Did you know by changing your diet, you could help your body fight off the common cold and flu?

 

Certain foods that you eat carry specific vitamins that are needed to sustain a healthy lifestyle. With healthy eating and calorie reduction you could help reduce levels of compounds that depress your immune system.

 

Check out our list below of food options that you can start incorporating in your day-to-day diet.

 

** Garlic- Garlic contains selenium, an antioxidant that scavenges free radicals in the body.

** Probiotic (yogurt, cultured milk, or vitamin supplement)- Yogurt and other cultured milk products contain probiotics, beneficial bacterial that have shown potential immune-boosting benefits in human studies. Look for the "live active culture" seal, which indicates that probiotics have been added.

** Vitamin D (sockeye salmon, eggs, milk, vitamin supplement) -Laboratory studies indicate that the nutrient may help immune cells identify and destroy bacteria and viruses that make us sick, says Adit Ginde, M.D., M.P.H., a public health researcher at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver. Aim to get at least 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily (check with your doctor before taking more).

** Quercetin (red apples, green tea, broccoli) - A natural antioxidant called quercetin, found in red apples as well as broccoli and green tea, may give an immunity boost to individuals under stress.

 

Sources: http://bit.ly/1QuNmTm, http://bit.ly/1TpCzwr, andhttp://wb.md/1vlT64P