The coldest time of the year is slowly knocking on our door. The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are getting lower. This means that now is the best time to prepare and strengthen the body for the upcoming winter with some advice from experts.
Our body needs to adjust properly to every season of the year which requires a different diet regime and proper activities to stimulate this process. You will need only a few small changes in order to stay in form this winter and avoid flues and colds.
Zinc
One of the biggest problems during the winter is frequent colds and the only way to prevent them is by boosting your immune system. Vitamin C is always a good ally during cold seasons but some minerals like zinc can also be helpful. It uses white blood cells in order to defend the body against dangerous pathogens that cause diseases. The majority of men have zinc deficiency and unlike women, they need to reinforce the dosage of this mineral during winter.
Seafood is rich with zinc, especially shrimps and crabs and if you are vegetarian you should look for pumpkin seeds.
Refresh your stomach
Recent research has shown a strong link between the immune system and intestinal flora. This link mainly refers to good bacteria that live in our intestines. The same research shows that these bacteria can interact with our immune system in a certain way. In other words, the bacteria in the digestive tract can even have affect on white blood cells in our finger toes.
Although you can find a lot of product in the store like probiotic yogurt you should rather buy sauerkraut because it doesn’t contain sugar. This is a much healthier way to refresh your stomach.
Another way to provide your body with healthy bacteria is to consume foods rich in probiotics. For example, you can try leeks, onions, garlic, potatoes and leafy green vegetables.
Vitamin D
One of the common problems that people face during winter is the lack of vitamin D. The body produces this vitamin under the influence of sunlight. When the day become cold and dull we often tend to have the lack of this vitamin. Vitamin D is one of the most important nutrients for our body because it stimulates the assimilation of calcium. Having insufficient amounts of this vitamin in your body can create certain problems.
Dairy products like milk and cheese are the main food sources of this vitamin. You can also find vitamin D in some fish like salmon, cod and herring fish.
Winter skincare
Essential oils – Experts are recommending emulsion bath oils instead of the soup during winter. After the bath you should wipe off your skin gently with the towel and then apply the lotion. Use wheat germ oil for treating extremely dry skin because it is the best natural concentrate of vitamin E. It stimulates metabolism and blood circulation and at the same time it protects the skin cells from getting damaged. In addition, the protective layer of the skin becomes stronger and maintains its softness and moisture a lot easier. In general, every product that contain essential oils is very beneficial for your skin during the cold days.
Avoid hot baths – Boiling water quickly dissolves the protective layer of the skin which is very important for making your skin supple. During shower and baths you should use lukewarm water and thus stimulate the blood circulation of your whole body.
Increase skin hydration – In winter, you should boost your anti-aging treatments because the cold dry air accelerate the formation of wrinkles. At this time of the year, the skin becomes more sensitive and more prone to redness. If you have greasy skin type you should do peelings more often and if you have normal skin you should only revitalize it from time to time. The majority of skin creams usually contain the hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and vitamin E.
It is important to consume enough vitamins so you can purchase some vitamin products and regain the balance of your organism. Have respect for your body, drink plenty of fluids and pay attention to your diet. Get rid of things like alcohol, coffee and cigarettes and you will notice changes within a week.