1- Morning drink of choice is: Green tea. Wake up to a steaming mug of tea to ramp up the body's defenses against infection: A study fr...
Wake up to a steaming mug of tea to ramp up the body's defenses against infection: A study from Harvard University reveals that the immune cells of tea drinkers responded to germs five times faster than those of coffee drinkers. And green tea, specifically, contains an antioxidant compound called EGCG which works with your immune system to ease inflammation. Add a squirt of lemon to up the ante. The juice contains quercetin, which also has anti-inflammatory powers.
2- Cardio philosophy is: Slow and steady wins the race.
Moderate exercise, like a daily 4-mile jog, stimulates virus-fighting cells, explains Mary Miles, Ph.D., associate professor of exercise sciences at Montana State University in Bozeman. "But too much exercise wears your body down, suppressing immunity," Miles says. What's too much? It depends on the individual. "Some people can exercise six days a week and be healthy. For others, that might make them more prone to illness. The key is to listen to your body," Miles says.
3- Toss these vegetables into your salad: Mushrooms.
Eating any fruit or vegetable regularly is a good thing. But when it comes to germ defense, the fungus has an edge. Research suggests that mushrooms may have antiviral and antibacterial properties. And 'shrooms are the only fresh produce that naturally contain vitamin D. If your D levels are low, your white blood cells won't be able to react to or ward off infections effectively, Dr. Gerbstadt says. No need to shell out big bucks on fancy gourmet varieties: The button mushroom is a potent source of D. If mushrooms aren't your thing, a multivitamin can help you get the suggested 600 international units daily.
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