The vitamin D foods health experts says you should be eating to stay healthy in winter
18.01.2024 - 12:03
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The changeable weather is not just affecting our mood and how we dress – doctors have warned it is impacting our immune systems, too. A health expert has now stressed the importance of including vitamin D in your diet to help fight off infections.
This week's cold spell has seen snow fall across Greater Manchester, while temperatures have dipped to a chilly -7C overnight. Yellow weather warnings for snow and ice remain in place across the UK this week, with amber alerts issued in parts of northern Scotland.
The mercury here is due to return to the early teens as we head into next week, accompanied by rain showers and strong winds. Old wives’ tales tell us that cold, damp weather means we’re more likely to become ill – but there is some truth in the warnings, says Dr Babak Ashrafi, GP and clinical lead for service expansion at Superdrug Online Doctor.
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Recent US research found an increased risk of illness when temperatures drop, because cold lowers immunity in the nose and makes us more susceptible to viruses. A drop in nasal tissue temperature of just 5°C has been found to reduce immune response by almost half.
“Rapid shifts from warm to cold weather can stress the body and shock the immune system, making you more vulnerable to colds and infections,” Dr Ashrafi told the PA news agency. He pointed out that the changing weather has coincided with seasonal outbreaks of viruses, such as flu.
Dr Ashrafi added: “These infections can put additional strain on the immune system. During colder months, decreased sunlight exposure can cut your main source of vitamin D, which is essential for a healthy immune system.”
Adding more vitamin D-rich foods into