The One Surprising Thing This MD Wants You To Focus On For Immunity

Her answer, while simple, surprised us all: "If you really want to do yourself a favor, look at how much fiber you're getting on a daily basis," she says on the mindbodygreen podcast.

But here's the thing about fiber: The majority of Americans simply aren't getting enough of it. The recommended intake2 is at least 38 grams per day for men and 25 grams per day for women—but the average American is eating only about 16 grams of fiber3 per day. 

Once you know your baseline, she suggests adding more fiber-rich foods to your diet: "I love flaxseed. If I'm really busy, I'll just take a tablespoon of flax and throw it into my smoothie or onto my salad," she says. "I [also] like chia seeds, which also have some good benefits for satiety." She also touts root veggies—like sweet potatoes, purple potatoes, and parsnips—as well as avocados and raspberries, “which are surprisingly high in fiber,” she notes.

And on the subject of "new school" cutting-edge bioactives, our immunity supplement also contains the foundational immune-critical micronutrient trio (zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin D3), plus leading bioactive quercetin phytosome. "Quercetin is getting popular these days—it's a healthy antioxidant and a no-brainer for immune support,"* Moday has previously told mbg.  

Given the gut-immune connection, it's not difficult to see why fiber has such an impact on your immune strength. But we could all use the friendly reminder: By increasing your fiber intake, you're feeding the good bacteria in your gut and helping them to reach their full potential. You can also throw in an immune-supporting supplement, while you're at it, for even more targeted benefits.* (Feel free to peruse our favorite options here.)