30 | HealthLinksSC.com DELVE INTO FOOD AND DRINK WITH VITAMIN D Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin your body relies on to regulate immune cells. Food such as salmon, milk or milk alternatives and yogurt provide vitamin D for your body. PIQUE YOUR PALATE WITH PREBIOTICS Did you know 70% of your body’s immune cells reside in your gastrointestinal system? The healthy bacteria in your gut, probiotics, are vital to supporting a healthy immune system. To help the bacteria thrive, give them plant-based prebiotics rich in fiber. You’ll find prebiotics in: • Apples; • Artichokes; • Avocados; • Broccoli; • Cauliflower; • Garlic; • Legumes such as beans, peas and lentils; • Sweet potatoes. Introduce probiotics to your gut with kefir, pickled vegetables, tempeh – fermented soybeans – and yogurt containing active cultures. CHICKEN SOUP – GOOD FOR WHAT AILS YOU As a child, you may remember your mother preparing chicken soup when you weren’t feeling well. As it turns out, Mom does know best when it comes to recovering from illness. According to the National Library of Medicine’s MedLine Plus, drinking warm liquids like chicken soup can help relieve cold symptoms. The steam from the soup can break up congestion in your nose and throat, and the fluid from the soup thins mucus and helps prevent dehydration. If you’re experiencing nasal stuffiness, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your soup to open blocked nasal passages so that you can breathe easier. HOW TO EAT LOCAL AND SUPPORT YOUR IMMUNE HEALTH According to Michael Cranford, agriculture marketing specialist for the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, brassicas thrive in South Carolina’s winters. A 2017 census of agriculture revealed that South Carolina ranks among the top 10 producers of broccoli, collard greens, kale, mustard greens and turnip greens in the United States. In addition to brassicas, Cranford noted that root crops such as sweet potatoes, rich in vitamin A, are often available through the winter. You may find locally grown ginger and turmeric in late fall at fresh food markets. Cranford said both carry anti-inflammatory properties that can help you combat the effects of various illnesses.
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