Omega 3 & Vitamin A – their role in fighting viral infections
Omega 3 and vitamin A help to balance the immune system preventing overreaction and worsening of the symptoms.
Food sources
Omega 3: Sources include healthy fats such as:
- salmon
- chia
- walnut
- flax.
Remember to choose flax oil over canola which is high in omega 6. This helps to balance your fatty acid profile leaning towards anti-inflammatory properties.
Vitamin A (b-carotene): Sources include
- liver
- greens
- carrots
- pumpkin
- sweet potato
Other Immune boosting and antimicrobial foods include:
- Vitamin C (citrus)
- green tea
- berries
- mushrooms
- raw honey
- rosemary
- turmeric.
Practical tips to ensure adequate intake of these nutrients:
- Focus on whole foods (avoid processed foods)
- Buy colourful fruits and veggies
- Eat 8 cups of veggies daily
- Have 2-4 servings of wild fish per week
- Snacks on berries, nuts, seeds and organic apples
- Make sure you have a variety of fats - so that you get a complete omega 3 and 6 spectrum