As the new school year begins, UMC reminds El Paso residents that it’s time to start thinking about how to keep their immune systems strong for the coming cold and flu season.
The following six nutrients play a critical role in maintaining a healthy immune system.
- Vitamin C: Sources include citrus fruits, berries, melons, tomatoes, bell peppers, and broccoli in your diet.
- Vitamin D: Good sources are fatty fish, eggs, milk, and fruit juice.
- Probiotics: Good bacteria can be found in cultured dairy products, such as yogurt, kefir, and kimchi.
- Zinc: Good sources are beef, seafood, and plant-based sources, including wheat germ, beans, nuts, and tofu.
- Beta carotene: Found in plant foods, such as sweet potatoes, spinach, carrots, mangoes, broccoli, and tomatoes.
- Protein: Found in animal and plant sources including milk, yogurt, eggs, beef, chicken, seafood, nuts, seeds, beans, and lentils.
Eating healthy, getting adequate rest, staying hydrated, and managing stress will help you avoid illnesses. However, healthcare professionals also recommend having N-95 masks handy and keeping frequently touched surfaces clean.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently recommended that everyone 6 months of age and older, with rare exceptions, receive an updated 2024-2025 flu vaccine to reduce the risk of influenza and its potentially serious complications this fall and winter.
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