Provide Your Body with Key Nutrients for a Strong Immune System

Right now, we are all looking for ways to help keep our families healthy.  In addition to practicing social distancing and washing our hands, experts remind us that eating healthy is more important than ever as it provides our bodies with the key nutrients that boost our immune systems.  This is important as a strong immune system helps defend us against the viruses that cause illness. 

Foods that are vital to maintaining a healthy immune system include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.  One vegetable especially nutrient-rich, readily available, and easy to cook is broccoli. It contains vitamin C and beta-carotene as well as “sulfur compounds that research suggests may boost production of glutathione, an antioxidant compound. In terms of immune support, glutathione works by attacking free radicals to minimize their potential damage.”

Another good source of vitamin C, which plays a role in keeping our immune system healthy, is fortified orange juice and just one cup gives us 100% of our required daily dose. Fortified OJ also has vitamin D as do eggs, cheese, tofu and mushrooms that help make us more resistant to illnesses.  Beans, nuts, cereal and seafood all contain zinc which research has found may shorten the duration of the common cold.  Other foods high in nutrients include spinach, salmon, lean beef, and yogurt. 
As one of the area’s top assisted living and memory care communities, MorningStar of Happy Valley provides a 5-star dining service to our residents that starts with meals prepared largely from scratch using the freshest ingredients.  We also use ingredients with high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds known to support brain health and aptly named “Super Foods.”  These include items like acai berries, Omega 3 fats, dark chocolate and dark greens.

Our team is dedicated to providing residents a safe, comfortable environment where they can enjoy their well-deserved retirement years.  Also, during the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), MorningStar could not be more vigilant in our defensive approach. We are staying abreast of its real time status and closely following—in many cases, exceeding—guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure the health and well-being of all beneath our roof. 

MorningStar of Happy Valley offers the very best in senior living with our distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.”  Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve to create a true “home” for residents.  Please give us a call or visit our website to learn more about our exceptional assisted living and memory care community. 

Source:allrecipes.com/article/foods-that-boost-immune-system/?utm_medium=browser&utm_source=allrecipes.com&utm_content=20200322&utm_campaign=498042