These nutrition tips and guidelines can help keep your immune system strong.
Maintaining good sleep habits can help too.
The best way to get enough vitamin C is by enjoying it in foods, not pills.
When you’re looking for vitamin C, think outside the orange crate.
And don’t forget that many vegetables, including broccoli and peppers, are terrific sources.
Researchers believe that carotenoids work together in promoting health and preventing cancer.
This is why getting carotenoids in food may be more beneficial than taking beta carotene supplements.
According to studies, however, taking extra antioxidant pills probably has no benefit.
Get mineral happy
Selenium is essential for a strong immune response and to fight infection.
The mineral, found mostly in mushrooms and whole grains, may also reduce risk of some cancers.
Best food sources of selenium are seafood: tuna, red snapper, lobster and shrimp.
It’s safest to stick to getting zinc from your diet.
Aim for 15 to 25 milligrams a day.
Find more information on zinc and zinc-rich foods in our nutrient library.
Flaxseeds are also nature’s best source of lignans, plant compounds that have estrogenlike activity in the body.
Currently, scientists are researching the possibilities of flaxseed as a cancer preventer.
Look for flaxseed in supermarkets and natural-foods stores.
It’s available as flaxseed flour, meal, oil and whole flaxseeds.
The whole seeds can’t be digested and need to be ground before you use them.
So how many hours of sleep are enough for you?
Experts say that if you feel drowsy during the day-even during boring activities-you are not getting enough sleep.
Also, quality of sleep is just as important as quantity.
If you wake up often during the night you are not getting good-quality sleep.
Can what you eat or drink help you sleep better?Click here to find out.
When it comes to your immune system, vitamin E is especially important for proper functioning.
Not long ago, vitamin E supplementation was touted as beneficial to heart health, immunity and cancer prevention.
But including good sources of omega-3 fats in your diet has many benefits for your heart and overall health.
