Foods to Boost Immune System Function
Foods to Boost Immune System Function … The immune system has an extremely big responsibility in the body. However, its prime function is to protect the body from infection, viruses, bacteria, and the development of illness and diseases. In order to achieve a strong immune system requires good nutrition, exercise, and stress management. In addition, a health-promoting lifestyle such as drinking at least eight-8 ounce glasses of clean, pure water a day is necessary. Water has many vital functions and among them is to transport nutrients and oxygen to our body cells. It also detoxifies the body. A health-promoting lifestyle also includes not smoking, maintaining a healthy body weight, getting enough sleep, and not consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. Moreover, experts state that emotional state, environmental toxins, pollution, and excessive use of antibiotics are also factors that affect the immune system. About Foods to Boost Immune System Function
The first step to ensure your immune system gains the strength it needs to fight the continuous onslaught of foreign invaders involves obtaining all nutrients, which means eating a healthy diet. In fact, the most frequent cause of a depressed immune system is a nutrient deficiency. Studies have shown that even a deficiency in just one nutrient can profoundly impair the immune system. A healthy diet is one that is rich in natural foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, seeds and nuts. It should also contain an average, but not excessive amounts of protein. In addition, a diet that is low in fat and refined sugars is vital for promoting a strong healthy immune system.
One questioned that often comes up is do I need nutritional supplements if I eat a healthy diet? We believe that due to the many harsh challenges the immune system is faced with, it needs all the nutritional support it can get. Listed below are some of them. 1. Americans struggle daily trying to consume the daily recommended allowances on fruits and vegetables. 2. The nutritional value of our fruits and vegetable has declined significantly due to modern day farming practices. 3. Mass production of our fruits and vegetables has robbed us of even more essential nutrients because premature harvesting does not allow them to reach their natural peak of nutrition. Nowadays, our fruits and vegetables are often picked before they are ripe and allowed to ripen in transit. 4. Experts proclaim that are body cells contains 400 new toxins that didn't exist 45 years ago! Now, let's take a look at some of the best immune enhancing nutrients... Foods to Boost Immune System Function
Beta Carotene Beta Carotene – Beta Carotene is a compound produced by plants and is converted by the body into vitamin A. Beta Carotene harbors potent antioxidant properties that fight the continuous onslaught of free radicals, which are highly reactive substances that attack and damage cells and, as such, it could lead to premature aging and disease. This compound is noted to stimulate and enhance many immune system processes. Beta carotene foods to boost immune system: The richest food sources of beta carotene include pumpkin, sweet potato, carrots, cooked greens, apricots, sweet peppers, kale, turnip greens, broccoli, mango, and squash varieties. The greater the intensity of the color of the fruit or vegetable, the more beta carotene it contains. Vitamin C Vitamin C - Vitamin C is thought to boost the immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells (lymphocytes) and antibodies. In addition, it enhances phagocytes (immune system cells). These actions play a role in fighting infection, protecting against disease-causing organisms, and destroying bacteria and other foreign invaders. Vitamin C foods to boost immune system: The best fruit sources of Vitamin C is found in cantaloupe, grapefruit, lemons, mangos, oranges, papayas, persimmons, pineapple, and strawberries. Vitamin C is also found in many vegetables and among the best are asparagus, avocados, beet greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collards, kale, mustard greens, onions, green peas, sweet peppers, radishes, tomatoes, turnip greens, and watercress. This vitamin is also high in many citrus fruit drinks. Vitamin E
Vitamin E - According to the well renowned "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, this powerhouse nutrient has many health enhancing benefits. "Thus far, vitamin E has been shown to protect against approximately eighty diseases." Vitamin E foods to boost immune system: Vegetable oils such as wheat germ oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil, and soybean oil are one of the richest sources of vitamin E, followed by nuts and seeds. Dark, green leafy vegetables are also good food sources of vitamin E, though not as significant as vegetable oils and nuts. When is comes to vegetables - the sweet potato is jammed-packed with vitamin E. Selenium Selenium - Selenium is believed to have an important role in boosting immune function by strengthening the disease-fighting properties of phagocytes, the white blood cells that destroy invading micro-organisms. Selenium foods to boost immune system: The best food sources to provide you with the health benefits of selenium include: Brazil nuts, oats, seafood, liver, wheat germ, bran, tuna, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, garlic, and brown rice. Special Note: This nutrient is found in soil which varies in mineral content. This is because it depends on where foods are grown or raised. Zinc Zinc- Zinc bolsters the immune system to fight colds and other common infections. Zinc foods to boost immune system: The best food sources of zinc include: meat, liver, seafood (especially oysters), wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, pumpkin seeds, eggs, ground mustard, and nonfat dry milk. Zinc is also found in fish, dulse, kelp, lamb, legumes, lima beans, pecans, sardines, soybeans, sunflower seeds, whole grains, soy lecithin, torula yeast, mushrooms, and poultry. Special Note: Red meat and poultry provide the majority of zinc in any diet. A diet high in animal protein has more zinc absorption than a diet high in plant protein. Our Opinion on Foods to Boost Immune System Function If you tend to be susceptible to colds and/or the flu it may be a sign that your immune system is not working properly. We believe that everyone should consider adding a comprehensive multivitamin and mineral supplement to their daily regimen, as it will address any underlying nutritional deficiencies. While it can't take the place of a healthy diet, supplements can be very powerful components in you're quest for foods to boost immune system function as well as overall optimal health. Nowadays, there are highly sophisticated nutraceutical companies producing products that go far above basic vitamins and minerals. These products may include a broad range of ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, as well as specialty antioxidants that are much more powerful than vitamins.
In short, there are comprehensive multivitamin and mineral supplements designed to support Therefore, it is important to understand the how and why of what makes some of these comprehensive multivitamin and mineral supplements useful - an important factor in making an informed choice. However, ensure that your supplement is produced at a pharmaceutical GMP facility. Such places adhere to the highest manufacturing standards. The nutritional supplement industry is largely unregulated and this is the only way you can be sure that you're getting the amount of ingredients stated on the label. And, as always, speak to a physician before taking any type of dietary supplements. We hope this "Foods to Boost Immune System Function" web page was useful to you. To Your Health! The Editors
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