Joy feelings magazine January 2019 issue | Page 83

been shown to reduce
respiratory infections in
adults and kids.
Catch some rays. Sunlight
triggers the skin’s
production of vitamin D.
In the summer, a 10-15
minute exposure (minus
sunscreen) is enough.
However, above 42
degrees latitude (Boston)
from November through
February, sunlight is too
feeble and few foods
contain this vitamin. Low
vitamin D levels correlate
with a greater risk of
respiratory infection. A
2010 study in kids showed
that 1200 IU a day of
supplemental vitamin D
reduced the risk of
influenza A. However, a
2012 study that involved
supplementing adults
with colon cancer with
1000 IU a day failed to
demonstrate protection
against upper respiratory
infections.
Go for the garlic. Garlic is
a broad-spectrum
antimicrobial agent and
immune booster. Because
heat deactivates a key
active ingredient, add it to
foods just before serving.
Eat medicinal mushrooms,
such as shiitake and
maitake (sometimes sold
as “hen of the woods”). A
recent study showed that
a concentrated extract of
shiitake enhanced