Tick Prevention and Good Nutrition
In this day and age, the likelihood of getting a tick bite, either directly or from a tick carried in by a pet, is pretty good! That’s the bad news. But now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, the good news is you can do something about protecting yourself. Certainly, equipping yourself with proper outdoor gear helps but you can protect yourself from the inside as well. That’s where good nutrition can lend itself. The right nutrition can really support your immune system, fighting infections and battling bacteria so it doesn’t take root, causing a myriad of symptoms. We can especially support our immune system by improving gut health (where most of the immune system lives) and lowering overall inflammation in the body.
Some things that support gut health include avoiding things that irritate the gut, including food sensitivities or allergies, limiting, or avoiding alcohol, avoiding artificial sugars and other chemicals in processed foods, and inflammatory oils such as vegetable oils or fried foods. Things that nourish the gut include foods such as fatty fish, digestive supportive greens like arugula, healthy fats, high-quality proteins, and antioxidant-rich berries. Proper hydration is also nourishing and helps to both reduce inflammation and aid detoxification. Additional herbs and spices that can lower inflammation include chamomile and turmeric. Ginger is both soothing and healing for the gut as well.
Some key nutrients that support the immune system include zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E and folic acid/folate. By eating a wide variety of whole foods in vibrant colors (those dark leafy greens and bright citrus), you can easily get what you need to support your body’s natural defenses. Eat right for immune health by including adequate protein, lots of fruits and veggies, and healthy fats at your meals. And don’t forget the water!
About Janna Neitzel,, MS, RD, CDNTick Prevention and Good Nutrition Related Blog Posts
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