That’s why it’s surprising, and exasperating, that many suggestions in the
2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans – the official government recommendations for a healthy diet – are based on outdated data. Rather than following the science, they have too often lagged behind recent findings or been subjected to apparently politicized science. That needs to change. Dietary Guidelines are more than advice on how to eat. They form the basis of federal food policies and programs, nutrition education, and various public and private disease prevention initiatives. Formulated in consultation with the
Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, the Guidelines serve as a reference tool, influence what’s on food labels, and dictate what foods are allowed in school lunch programs.
Should You Take Zinc for Immunity? What an RD Wants You to Know newstalk1290.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from newstalk1290.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
If the last time you thought about zinc before the pandemic was as it was being smeared down your nose for sun protection, you’re not alone. (Children of the 80s, we’re looking at you.) It’s true that zinc has often been having a resurgence of late, as an immune-boosting super nutrient that has been shown to help your immune system mobilize to fight off bacteria, viruses, and any foreign agent in the body.
Zinc has recently been shown in studies to be an effective immune booster, which can shorten the duration of a cold if taken within 24 hours of first symptoms, and now is gaining traction in a number of clinical trials investigating its potential for minimizing symptoms of COVID-19.
When was the last time you thought about the folate in your diet? Probably never, unless, that is, you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant, in which case doctors bring it up as an important vitamin to take. While it’s true that this nutrient is critical for women of childbearing age, it’s actually important for
everybody, no matter their gender or life status. Here’s a primer on what folate does for your body and whether you need to supplement.
What is folate and what does it do?
Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin (B9, specifically) that plays several keys roles in the body. For starters, you need this vitamin to make DNA and red blood cells. It’s also essential for nervous system function and works with the body function involved in methylation, a biochemical process that helps repair your cell s DNA, protects against cancer, supports detoxification, and keeps your immune system healthy. It also impacts brain chemistry, energy production, and supports the protect