An Offbeat, Immune System-Boosting Miso Soup
To get us through the rest of winter
It’s cold season, and so I’m doing whatever I can to not get sick this year.
While I’m always mindful to get plenty of rest and have a large variety of whole foods, every time winter rolls around, I become more attentive to getting two key vitamins in particular: Vitamins D and C.
Why I pay attention to Vitamin D and Vitamin C in the winter
Vitamin D and Vitamin C play a key role in our immune system function, as they help increase the number of immune cells and also stimulate white blood cell activities, cells which are responsible for attacking and destroying viruses and bacteria.
While it’s challenging to get enough vitamin D only through diet — at any given time around 30 to 50 percent of the general population tends to be deficient in this vitamin — I’ve instead been more mindful of going on walks during the day, or just being outside to feel the sun on my skin for ten minutes. Especially in the winter where the days are cold and the nights are long, getting sunshine can be a feat.
But when it comes to getting enough Vitamin C, I look to my diet.
