Are you doing everything you can do to keep your immune system up to par?  Check out these top nutrition tips to stay healthy this cold and flu season:

Vitamin C

Vitamin C tops the list of immune boosters.  There has been more research about the immune boosting effects of Vitamin C than perhaps any other nutrient.  Vitamin C is available naturally in many fruits and vegetables.  Unlike most animals that produce their own Vitamin C, the human body does not synthesize any.  Vitamin C has substantial antiviral and antibacterial benefits though it's known for its protective aspects in creating host resistance.  The most abundant vitamin C foods are guava, papaya, strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, orange, and grapefruit.

Probiotics

The live cultures found in yogurt, particularly Lactobaccilus and Bifidobacteria, may be beneficial in enhancing immunity. Having a healthy supply of gut flora increases a person's white blood cell production and activity.  They may also boost the immunity while taking...

Plenty of research exists as to why essential fatty acids are important, so why doesn’t everyone eat fish or find another method for consuming essential fatty acids?  Is it because of cost, availability, convenience, lack of awareness, vegetarian/vegan lifestyle, or some other reason?

Let’s look at the two most beneficial omega 3’s backed by extensive research---EPA and DHA.  Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are omega-3 essential fatty acids very difficult to pronounce, so good thing they have simple acronyms we can refer to instead!  They are found in fish and fish oil and although they work together in the body, each fatty acid has very unique benefits.  Let’s take a look at each of them. 

Research shows EPA is an anti-inflammatory and also improves heart health, immune function, and circulation, and reduces joint pain.  Because of this, EPA is very beneficial for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, including arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel diseas...

You’ve heard about essential fats in the media and you know they’re important, but do you know why and how to balance your essential fatty acid intake?   Let’s explore this.  First off, essential fatty acids are considered “essential” because they’re required for optimal health, but our body can’t produce them so we must consume them through our food or supplementation.

There are two families of essential fatty acids:  omega-3 and omega-6, and each have different effects on our body.  Both fatty acids are important, but the real key is to consume omega-3 and omega-6 in a balanced ratio to maintain health.  When out of balance, excess intake of omega-6 promotes inflammation, increases blood clotting, and depresses the immune system.  On the other hand, omega-3 is anti-inflammatory, increases circulation, and enhances the immune system.  Here’s what you may not realize…the modern Western diet has negatively shifted this crucial balance by the availability of too much omega-6 on a daily ba...