There is a whole lot going on with your body- repairing tissues, food being digested and your brain is working away. To make sure that everything is running smoothly and to the best of its abilities you need to make sure you’re eating properly!
Here are 5 nutrients that, according to SympaticoMSN.com, are essential for your health and happiness.
1. Essential fats: Your body can’t make essential fats on its own so you need to get these fats from your diet
2. Calcium: Calcium is your body’s most abundant mineral and is responsible for developing strong bones and teeth
3. Iron: The most common nutrient deficiency worldwide is iron deficiency (also known as anemia).
4. Protein: Your body needs protein for overall health, for muscle repair, hormonal balance, immune system function and for weight loss.
5. Antioxidants: Anti-oxidants such as vitamins E, C, selenium and lycopene (found in tomatoes) bind to free oxygen radicals and prevent these radicals from damaging healthy cells
Men and women have different nutritional needs - therefore there are foods that are more important for each to eat. Here are a few, and why they’re important:
- Tomato Sauce - protects against prostate cancer.
- Oysters - boosts zinc intake, which helps with the male reproductive system.
- Broccoli - protects against bladder cancer, which is especially popular in men.
- Peanut Butter - protects against heart disease.
- Watermelon - has tons of potassium, therefore protects against high blood pressure.
- Papaya - contains tons of vitamin C, which protects against gallbladder disease.
- Flaxseed - potential weapon against breast cancer.
- Tofu - High in soy protein, which can lower cholesterol and may minimize menopausal hot flashes and strengthen bone.
- Buffalo Meat - contains a lot of iron, which helps with anemia (this condition occurs more in women.)
- Collard Greens - may help with osteoporosis.
If you ever feel like your memory is starting to go, make sure you have these foods in your diet:
Salmon - Omega-3 fatty acids
Sunflower seeds - Vitamin E
Blueberries - Memory-boosting powerhouse
Lean beef - Iron
It’s tough to get all the nutrients you need. To that end, here are the top 10 food sources of iron; women should be getting 18mg daily, while men only need 8mg.
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