With cold and flu season upon us, it’s important to take every step possible to protect your health. Spending time indoors during the winter to take advantage of the heat only increases your chances of picking up a virus. Although it won’t guarantee that you will dodge an illness this winter, eating healthy, nutrient-dense foods can help boost your immunity and reduce your risk for severe illness. Learn more about how food can boost your health during this cold and flu season. Visit AFC Urgent Care Burlington for health and wellness care without the need for an appointment.
Common Fall Illnesses
Fall and winter are well known to be the time of year when everyone gets sick. Although it seems as though the germs causing common illnesses may just be more active during this time of year, this is not the case. The increase in illness cases has more to do with the lifestyle changes that occur due to the drop in temperature. During the colder winter months, we spend more time indoors to take advantage of the heat. Unfortunately, this increases the instances of close contact with others through touching more common surfaces and breathing in unfiltered air, which in turn increases the odds of us getting sick.
How Food Can Boost Your Immunity
Your overall health can have a large impact on how you respond to illness. Your immunity is your body's ability to defend itself. If you’re suffering from underlying health conditions or live an inactive lifestyle, your immunity is likely low which can result in you suffering from severe illness if you were to get sick. Other lifestyle factors, such as stress and poor sleep habits can also greatly impact your body’s natural defenses and make you more vulnerable to getting sick and experiencing severe symptoms.
Your diet has a large impact on your overall immunity. Having an unbalanced or unhealthy diet can cause health complications that can lower your overall immunity. On the other hand, certain foods can help boost your immune system and help it prepare to defend itself against illnesses.
What Foods Boost Your Immunity?
Leafy Greens: There is a reason that foods like kale are so popular. Dark leafy greens like kale and spinach are known for having high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants, both of which are immune boosting.
Citrus Fruits: Citrus fruits like lemons, grapefruit, and oranges are famously known for containing very high levels of vitamin C, a powerful ingredient that has been shown to boost immunity.
Garlic & Ginger: These two core spices have a plethora of health benefits. Not only do they both contain vitamin C, but they also both contain antioxidants and other ingredients that have been shown to regulate blood pressure and reduce congestion.
Healthy Oils: When consumed in moderation, oils like olive oil help reduce inflammation in the body. They also have been shown to promote other important body functions such as brain health.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Burlington For Preventative Healthcare Near Burlington, MA
Living an active and healthy lifestyle is a vital component of your overall health. At AFC Urgent Care Burlington, we offer a variety of preventative healthcare services including physical exams, vaccinations, and health and wellness advice - all without the need to book an appointment. Simply walk into our clinic or schedule an appointment online today.
If you’re looking for ways to stay healthy this cold and flu season, look no further than AFC Urgent Care Burlington. Our healthcare providers are board-certified and able to provide comprehensive preventative care in addition to urgent care services daily. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer low-cost care options. For additional information regarding our clinic, please contact us directly by calling (781) 270-4700.
