Many patients in the office have been suffering from colds, flu symptoms and sinus infections. I do not want to get into a lengthy conversation regarding overused, overprescribed and often useless antibiotics (whether pharma-grade or over the counter), but I want to offer a healthy, natural solution to strengthen the immune response and protect the body from unwanted pathogens…ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION.
Zinc supplements significantly reduced the severity of cold symptoms as well as the length of the illness. Proper supplementation (15 mg/day) decreases the duration of colds and flu symptoms by at least one full day. Zinc deficiency leads to dysfunction of the body’s coordinated immune response, which increases susceptibility to diseases. Every one wants at least one less day of feeling in the dumps.
There are many foods that you can add to meals or snacks that pack zinc:
- broccoli
- kale
- sesame seeds
- black beans
- pumpkin seeds
- sunflower seeds
- cashews
- edamame
These are the most common among many other good dietary choices. Please make 15mg/day of zinc or foods containing zinc an added staple to your diet/daily regimen to give yourself the best defense against diseases and infections this year!