Consume 6 Vitamins to Ward Off Influenza, One of Them is Vitamin C!
Purity Vitamin Australia - The weather is still unpredictable these days, sometimes hot and sometimes rainy. Especially heavy rain and strong winds are often unavoidable, resulting in many people catching a cold or getting influenza.
Extreme weather conditions can weaken the immune system and make us susceptible to the flu.
Here are several vitamins that are most suitable for consumption during such erratic weather, as reported by CNet.
Quoted from Antara, these vitamins can help boost the immune system, especially when facing constantly changing weather.
Consume 6 Vitamins to Ward Off Influenza, One of Them is Vitamin C!
1. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is known to enhance the body's immune system. When deficient in vitamin C, the body becomes more prone to infectious diseases and infections.
Women are advised to consume 75mg of vitamin C per day, while men are recommended to consume at least 90mg per day.
In addition to supplements, you can obtain vitamin C from oranges, broccoli, strawberries, bell peppers, spinach, and kale. These vegetables and fruits contain good amounts of vitamin C to help maintain your immune system.
2. Vitamin B
The body utilizes vitamin B6 to aid in the production of red and white blood cells, which in turn helps protect the body from infectious diseases, including influenza.
Apart from supplements, you can obtain vitamin B6 by consuming poultry, deep-sea fish such as tuna and salmon, bananas, and peas. Some cereals sold in supermarkets are now also fortified with vitamin B6.
3. Vitamin E
Research has shown that vitamin E can enhance the body's immune system and reduce the risk of infection, making it essential to consume this type of vitamin when many people are affected by influenza.
You can obtain vitamin E by consuming soybeans, peanuts, oils and sunflower seeds, green vegetables, almonds, pumpkin, and avocado.
4. Vitamin D
This type of vitamin is one of the essential ones to consume in order to boost the body's immune system and prevent infections caused by contagious diseases.
Vitamin D can be obtained through supplements, as well as certain foods that are rich in vitamin D, such as beef liver, cod liver oil, and sardines.
5. Polyphenols
In addition to the aforementioned vitamins, several nutrients are also important to consume in order to ward off influenza. One of them is polyphenols, a component derived from plants that can regulate the body's immune system, making it easier for the body to combat infections caused by contagious diseases.
Fortunately, almost all vegetables and fruits contain polyphenols. Therefore, it is important to include vegetables and fruits in your daily diet.
6. Beta-carotene
Another nutrient derived from plants but important in warding off influenza is beta-carotene. Beta-carotene in plants causes fruits to have a reddish or orange hue.
By consuming fruits and vegetables with a reddish or orange hue on a daily basis, you can benefit from beta-carotene. Examples include sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, mangoes, and beets.
So what should you do if you are already affected by influenza? To accelerate the healing process, it is crucial to consume nutritious and vitamin-rich foods.
However, there are two important nutrients that can expedite the recovery process, and they are zinc and vitamin C.
Zinc is a vital nutrient that helps the body fight infections. As for vitamin C, it is recommended to consume at least 100mg per day, or adjust the dosage according to your body's condition.