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Happy New Year! As we start 2015 and bid farewell to the festive season of excess, now is the time to start thinking about you… and a good place to start is by making sure you immune system is boosted.
Vitamin C
It can help speed recovery and since it’s water-soluble you can’t really overdose on it. It you’re taking too much you’ll have loose bowels so just back down a bit if that happens. Adults should aim for about 2,000- 5,000mg a day of ascorbic acid and kids should take between 1,000-2,000 mg. The body absorbs about 500mg of vitamin c at a time so split it into several doses throughout the day to get the maximum benefit.
Vitamin D3
This super vitamin can help boost your immunity and is something that everyone should take year round – especially if you don’t get much sunlight. The best source of vitamin D, as a supplement, is in fermented cod liver oil.
Zinc
Can help prevent a cold or flu virus from reproducing. Adults should take 50-75mg a day when sick but this is another one you should take year round since zinc deficiency is surprisingly common and can cause a variety of symptoms that you probably would never equate with zinc deficiency such as cravings for sweet or salty foods, low energy, bad memory and even infertility.
Coconut Oil
This super food has been thought to dissolve the lipid coating around some viruses (including HIV interestingly enough) and make them easier for the immune system to attack them. It’s a natural immune booster, antibiotic, antiseptic. Aim for at least 1 teaspoon – 1 tablespoon per day and if you’re feeling under the weather have as many as 5 tbsp. per day. You can melt it into tea, coffee, on oatmeal, straight from the jar, make coconut oil chocolate bars or lather them onto toast.
Elderberry syrup
Elderberries, also known as sambucus nigra has been shown to prevent the flu and speed recovery in those who already have the flu thanks to their high levels of vitamins A, B, and C which stimulate the immune system. You should take this daily and double up if you feel a bit of something coming your way.