Your Feel Better Superfoods

Research shows, people who exercise regularly at a moderate intensity most days of the week report fewer instances of colds than their sedentary counterparts. So to toughen up your body's immune defenses, keep those workouts steady and fill your grocery cart with the following foods. 1) Chia Seeds are a plant based source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help maintain the fluidity of cell membranes to keep the good nutrients in, while harmful subtances get shuttled out. 2) Lean beef is an exellent source of zinc, an essential trace element that helps create T-lymphocytes, which strike against harmful cells that work to supress the immune system. 3) Swiss chard is loaded with vitamins C, E, beta carotene and the mineral zinc. All work together as antioxidants to strengthen the immune system by eliminating oxidative stress that causes damage to cells. 4) Shiitake mushrooms contain anti-viral polysaccharides (carbohydrate molecules) that help regulate the immune ststem by activating cells called macrophages, which fight off invaders. 5) Tangerines are a great source of the common cold fighter vitamin C. Just one medium fruit provides about 40 percent of your day's worth.