Henry Winkler's character Fonzie, from the 1970s sitcom “Happy Days,” once stopped by Sesame Street to help teach the alphabet to children. When he looked at the camera, he gave a thumbs-up and said his trademark expression: "Ayyy!" as the letter "A" appeared onscreen.
Maybe you could use a little help learning about Ayyy, too — that is, vitamin A.
This fat-soluble vitamin is actually a group of compounds that include retinol and beta carotene. They help form and maintain healthy teeth, bones, soft tissue, mucus membranes, and skin.
If you don't get enough vitamin A, the lining of your nasal and respiratory passages may not be able to do their job of keeping infections like colds and the flu at bay. Even a small deficiency boosts your risk.
But Ayyy — no worries. You can easily get enough vitamin A from foods, which are the best source. (Taking a vitamin A supplement of more than 3,500 IU daily is actually hazardous).
During winter months, get your vitamin A from orange and green vegetables: carrots, winter squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli and dark leafy greens. They contain a good dose of beta-carotene, which is stored in the liver and converted into vitamin A when you need it.
Be sure to also eat walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, olive oil, and avocados. The healthy mono- and polyunsaturated fats they contain help your body absorb and use vitamin A, and vitamin D, too. (D is important for immune health during cold and flu season.)
But what are we talking about here? Ayyy!
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