It may sound redundant, but it is important that we follow the government’s guidelines while we are working during the COVID-19 pandemic; wash our hands, use sanitizer, sanitize our work spaces, practice social-distancing, and stay home when we are ill.
But one thing that we don’t hear often enough is the important of keeping our immune system strong and healthy, so our bodies can fight it if we do happen to get it.
The way to strengthen our immune system is to eat right, stay hydrated, reduce our stress, get plenty of sleep (7-8 hour, consistently), and exercise every day (recommend 30 minutes a day).
But one of the best ways to strengthen our immune system is to make sure we get plenty of the necessary vitamins, either through supplements, or through the foods we eat. These vitamins include:
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the biggest immune system boosters because our bodies don’t produce or store it, we need to get it from supplements or the foods we eat. Food that contain vitamin C: oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, strawberries, bell peppers, spinach, kale, and broccoli.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is vital to supporting biochemical reactions in the immune system. Foods that contain vitamin B6 include: chicken, cold water fish such as salmon and tuna.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps the body fight off infection. You can get more vitamin E by eating almonds, sunflower seeds, avocado, and oils such as wheat germ oil and sunflower oil.
The best way we can help each other during this pandemic is to make sure we are taking care of ourselves. Stay well and practice social distancing!
-Cindy Petersen