Ahh, winters in Minnesota. So refreshingly cold, dark, and with sniffles aplenty.
As we head into shorter days and colder temps, we are also met with increased likelihood of sickness.
Never fear, there is a lot we humans can do to make the winter months more joyous, fun, and gotten through with good health.
While we cannot always completely avoid getting sick, there is A LOT that we can do to be proactive and minimize the likelihood of such events occurring.
These include but are not limited to: proper light exposure, movement, sufficient nutrition, getting adjusted, and plenty of good social gatherings.
Specifically, our nutrition is one of the most powerful tools to optimize our health and immune system to help minimize the occurrence of sickness.
Consider the following research:
“We summarize possible benefits of some vitamins, trace elements, nutraceuticals, and probiotics in viral infections. Nutrition based on these data could be useful in possible prevention and management of COVID-19”
Unfortunately, in our society, nutrition and the effect food has on our wellbeing and its ability to minimize disease and illnesses like viral infections, is not taught and/or talked about nearly enough.
Specifically, the above research shows Vitamin A, Vitamin D, trace elements, selenium, zinc, and probiotics have immune enhancing/optimizing functions.
We can then infer that getting these nutrients on a regular basis would help decrease the likelihood of getting sick.
So, knowing this information, what are the top 5 foods to be eating DAILY to get these nutrients?
If you read my previous post about the foods my family and I eat, you will see all of them.
Here they are:
RED Meat and Organ Meats: Zinc, Copper, Niacin, B6, Folate, B12, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Calcium, Heme Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium, Saturated Fat, Cholesterol
Yes, saturated fat and cholesterol are essential, and nourishing, nutrients for the body. While that goes against mainstream nutrition thinking, I’ve explained why in previous posts.
Research shows low cholesterol (hypocholesterolemia) adults have decreased immune cells compared to high cholesterol adults:
I prefer grass-fed beef and organ meats.
Eggs: Calcium, Vitamin A, B Vitamins, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, Vitamin E, Choline, Minerals
I prefer eggs from pasture-raised hens.
Raw Milk, Cheese, Butter, Kefir: Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Probiotics, Enzymes, Minerals, Good Fats, Immunoglobulins, B Vitamins, Vitamin K
Raw is best. See my previous post on raw dairy to learn why.
Organic Berries: Electrolytes, Minerals, Vitamin C
Bone Broth: Collagen, Minerals, Good Fats, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin K2
These foods are the pillars of my diet. They set a strong foundation for good nutrition and good health.
Beyond these foods, a variety of organic fruits and vegetables, organic teas, and some homemade hot cocoa are common eating themes in our household.
Disease and illness are at levels never before seen in our society. We’ve been told by government health organizations to eat low fat, vegetable and seed oils, heavy grains, minimal red meat, and processed dairy. How has that worked out for us?
Not well!
If you think the above recommendations I’ve made are not normal, well, you are correct! They are NOT normal in our sick society. You do NOT want to be NORMAL in today’s society. Normal means sickness and chronic disease.
Choose to NOT be normal. Choose the above foods. Cut out the processed crap, seed oils, processed grains, processed dairy, toxic tap water, over consumption of social media negativity and false realities, being sedentary, and toxic relationships.
Choose to eat red meat, raw dairy, bone broths, organic fruits and veggies, eggs, move and sweat regularly, take care of your spine and nervous system (the master controller of the immune system) with regular spinal adjustments, practice mindfulness, get in the sun and have fun EVERY DAY (whatever that is for you).
Do these things habitually and watch your health flourish and sickness be minimized.
Complete Chiropractic 