Day: March 9, 2021

Having a healthy immune system ensures we are protected against germs that can cause illnesses. A weak immune system makes us get sick easily. Vitamins and minerals are important in boosting your immune system. Sadly, many people do not eat sufficient vegetables, fresh fruits, and other foods required to keep them healthy throughout the year. You cannot just pop a vitamin pill, or eat grapefruit or orange and expect a quick flow of vitamin C that will boost your immune system enough to protect you from a cold. Dieticians state that “a healthy immune system is built by a balanced healthy diet taken over time, like preparing for battle when you train your body beforehand so it can withstand attacks from toxins, bacteria, and viruses.” Other lifestyle practices like better sleep and regular physical activity. Here are some of the top vitamins and minerals your body requires to have a strong immune system.

1. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is important for preventing infections or shortening the duration of illness. There are many sources of Vitamin C with citrus fruits standing out. Other sources of vitamin C include spinach, kale, papaya, strawberries, brussels sprouts, and bell peppers. 

Fun Fact: Vitamin C is found in so many foods such that most people may not need to take its supplements unless advised by the doctor.

2. Vitamin E

Vitamin E has similar effects to vitamin C as a strong antioxidant that would help the body in fighting off infections. Vitamin E is a very important vitamin as it is involved in close to 200 biochemical reactions in the body. Vitamin E is found in high-fat plant foods like hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, peanuts, almonds, and oils like soybean oil, safflower, and sunflower.

3. Vitamin A 

Vitamin A is known to help in fighting infection, and comes in two forms; from plant carotenoids and preformed in animal foods like dairy, meat, and fish. Tuna is one great source of vitamin A available in the preformed state. Colorful plants provide vitamin A carotenoids like dark leafy vegetables, cantaloupe, butternut squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and carrots. 

4. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin and is one of the most powerful and important nutrients for a strong immune system. The food sources of vitamin D, though limited, include sardines, Tuna, Mackerel, and salmon. Vitamin D is an exception to the rule of getting your vitamins from food as it requires supplementation often.

5. Folate

Folate is an important nutrient that is present both naturally and synthetically as folic acid. Leafy green vegetables, avocado, lentils, and beans are rich in folate. Some fortified foods are also enriched with folic acid.

6. Iron

Iron helps your body in carrying oxygen to the cells and is important in the processes of the immune system. You can find iron in abundance in animal foods like tuna, mussels, oysters, clams, sardines, turkey, chicken, and red meat, and plant products like beans, kale, and broccoli.

7. Zinc

Zinc is used to produce new immune cells for your body. It is primarily abundant in animal foods but can be found in plant products like chickpeas and baked beans. 

Depending on where you live, getting foods with these vitamins can be a challenge. Shot Health ensures your immune system is strong enough to withstand any disease attacks by providing IV vitamins from the comfort of your home. Get in touch with our qualified professionals who will guide you on the specific vitamins you need. Know more about our IV vitamins at IV rehydration, IV vitamins – Shot Health

Many people associate getting older with poor quality of life and a slew of medical conditions. It is important to know the changes expected with aging and what is not normal. 

Getting older changes all aspects of life from physical to social, mental, sexual, emotional, and more. One might regard some changes as either positive or negative. The challenge is to ensure you maximize the good aspects and taking deliberate steps to minimize the negative ones.

The Aging Process

Here are some of the common changes that come with aging and are considered normal:

1. Your Bones – as you age, the bones become more brittle and thinner as they lose density and mass hence an increased risk of broken bones and loss of height, and stooped posture.
2. Your heart – the arteries grow stiffer as you age, resulting in high blood pressure. Fatty deposits may also buildup in your arteries which harden and make them narrower.
3. Your brain – people often experience slight forgetfulness as they age and their ability to process new information and perform multiple tasks become slower. 
4. Your digestive system – the digestive system slows down as you age and does not contract as often as it did when you were younger.
5. Your skin – your skin loses elasticity and may begin to wrinkle and sag as you grow older.
6. Your senses – as you grow older, your five senses – touch, smell, taste, vision, and hearing – lose their earlier sharpness.

Tips for Aging Well and Maintaining the Great feeling

To age well, you need to have been practicing healthy habits throughout your life. However, it is never too late to start. Small lifestyle changes can have a significant impact on improving your health as you age. Here are some of the recommended practices to put you on the right track to aging well:

1. Staying Physically Active 

Ensuring you maintain physical activity can help in offsetting numerous effects of aging like improving your balance, keeping you mobile, improving your mood, and contributing to better cognitive functioning.

2. Following a healthy, well-balanced Diet Plan

Your body will need proper nutrition to keep your organs working and maintain your immune system. Foods high in fiber and low in saturated fats will be important as part of your diet to achieve your wellness goals.

3. Stay Socially Active

Making an effort to interact with your friends, family, and the community will significantly improve your mood, reduce negative feelings, and encourage you towards better physical activity. 

4. Schedule and Stick to Your Checkups

Do not neglect yourself as you age. Regular checkups from specialists are important and might help catch problems early and treat them before they get worse or bigger. 

5. Take all Medications as Directed

As you age, you might require different medications for various conditions. It is a no-brainer that you need to stick to your prescriptions as directed by your doctor. 

How we can help youShot Health can help you have a better quality of life at old age, or ensure your elderly loved ones have the best quality of life. Our professional and certified nurses provide unparalleled personal care and companion services. Get more information about our service at Personal Care Companion Services – Shot Health.