Being a caregiver means a lot of things. Someone’s health and wellness depends on you, so you must always pay attention to such things as your diet. You may have to work extra hours, sometimes just to make sure your loved one is doing well. You may also have to forego your hobbies and other personal activities all in the name of ensuring the person you’re taking care of is at his or her best.
Unfortunately, it is easy to forget yourself in the midst of all these demands. The best you can do is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This may mean ensuring your meals feature specific vitamins. It may also mean embracing specific vitamin supplements. Either way, make sure you consume foods or supplements rich in the following vitamins.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is responsible for building strong bones. It is also responsible for keeping hormones in check, so if you’re a female caregiver, consider consuming lots of vitamin D. It does not end there. Vitamin D is also responsible for improving energy levels.
This means you need it as a caregiver to keep you going. Research also shows that Vitamin D reduces the risk of breast cancer. Hemp seeds and hemp seed oil are good sources of vitamin D, which is sometimes referred to as the ‘sunshine’ vitamin.
Vitamin B
You’ll get quite a bit of healthy B vitamins in the foods and fruits you eat on a regular basis. This is hardly ever the case with lesser vitamins like B12 and B6. Note that B vitamins are vital for the purposes of supporting optimal metabolic health. Skimping on any B vitamins especially as a caregiver is therefore never a good move.
If you’re feeling tired, unmotivated and sluggish, then this could be the result of low levels of B vitamins. Remember that all B vitamins are water soluble. This means you have to consume them daily so as to have your vitamin B needs met. Spirulina alone can be your saving grace as it is rich in both vitamin B and vitamin B12. It also doubles up as strong multi-vitamin.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is one of the most powerful antioxidants. This is because it naturally moves through the body as it fights inflammation and free radicals. Its benefits are far reaching and have a key role in skin, heart, vision and kidney functions. Vitamin A can also go a long way to boost your immune system. Grass fed butter, cod liver oil, tuna and beef liver have all been proven to be rich in vitamin A.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, and your body cannot produce it. Unlike vitamin A which is fact soluble, vitamin C is water soluble. Get most of your vitamin C intake from foods. Resort to supplements if you’re extremely busy, and only use supplements under the supervision of a health practitioner.
You don’t have to go far when looking for foods rich in vitamin C. Simply consume plenty of citrus fruits. Papaya, mango, strawberries and even watermelon are also rich in vitamin C. Reduced blood uric levels, lower risk of heart disease and healthy blood pressure are all benefits that come along with consuming the right levels of vitamin C.
Are you interested in Becoming a Caregiver?
We are always on the lookout for good people to become professional caregivers and work with seniors in their homes. To find out more about what we expect from our caregivers please take a look at this page.
If you are interested in joining us as a professional caregiver then please complete the application form. We look forward to hearing from you and hope that you can join our team of caregivers.