Happy New Year! I want to take this time to really thank you all for being part of our mission:  Healthy by Choice, Not by Chance. Our daily choices make up the condition of our health and no matter what our choices are as individuals, I know that we are all doing what is in the best interest of those around us. There are many concerns floating around about what to do, how to do it, and what is the best course of action, but while we wait to see the outcome of it all, we need to be doing the small things that are necessary for us. Let me remind you of what I mean.

There are 3 simple rules that we all learned as children: 1) Wash your hands multiple times a day for at least 20 seconds while singing your alphabet 1-3 times and get a gold star! 2) Take your vitamins and eat right from Vit A to Zinc. 3) Take care of your body, it is the only one we get.

I will dive a little deeper into 2 and 3 because hopefully we all are washing our hands the way we should. 

Vitamins and minerals are building blocks for our health, cells, and systems (yes that includes our immune system). They are used in all processes of our body and without them we go down the path to disease. Here are the top 5 vitamins and a minerals for your health. 

• Vitamin A - Most important for normal vision, the immune system, and reproduction. It also helps the heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs function properly
• Vitamin B - The different forms help maintain cell health, keep you energized, and play important roles in cell metabolism.
• Vitamin C - Acts as an antioxidant which helps protect cells from the damage of free radicals that are formed when our bodies convert the food we eat into energy. It is necessary for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues.
• Vitamin D - Is important for strong bones, muscles need it to move, nerves need it to carry messages to and from the brain and body, the immune system needs it to fight off invading bacteria and viruses and is found in cells throughout the body. Works best when combined with K2.
• Zinc - Vital for a healthy immune system, correctly synthesizing DNA, promoting healthy growth during childhood, and healing wounds. Deficiency in Zinc can leave a person open to a variety of pathogens and diseases.

Taking care of your body is essential to your health and some examples include:

• An active lifestyle to maintain full body movement
• Breathing exercises to take time daily to focus on our breath and clear our minds
• Chiropractic care to free the nerve interference caused by physical, chemical, and emotional stressors
• A diet plan to help you get the proper nutrition and fuel your day.

This year, let’s take time to do our part in caring for ourselves and those around us by doing the small things every day!