Healthy Eating for a Healthy Immune System

What is the immune system and what is its role on the body’s health?

The immune system is the section of the body’s ability to keep off infection, by acting as a defense and guard for the body. The immune system works by releasing antibodies that attack any foreign / pathogenic substances and microorganisms like viruses and bacteria that could pose as health risks to the body.

If your immune system can not effectively perform its functions, the body gets slowed down by disease effects and this affects your general health extremely in a negative way.

The role of food in boosting your immune system

Just like the other functions of the body and the bodily organs need for proper nutrition to function effectively, the immune system also has immense need for proper nutrition to be able to carry out its duty of keeping the body out of the reach of infection satisfactorily.

Various foods are needed to achieve this venture, of keeping your immune system working healthily; this is because different foods offer the immune system with different nutrients needed for different functions.

Proper dietary practices should be observed by eating balanced diets; so as to ensure that the immune system is well nourished and healthy.

Effects of infection to your immune system

 Infection could attack and weaken the immune systems ability to carry out its functions effectively. When the white blood cells are attacked by infectious viruses and bacteria, the body becomes susceptible to disease to new infections and even further weakening from the present disease effects, as it is unable to effectively detect and fight the intruding viruses.

Dangerous viruses, like the HIV virus attacks the CD4 cells of the immune system, engulfing them and even taking a form that makes them similar to the white blood cells, making it impossible for the immune system to recognize their intrusion into the body. This makes the body’s immune system to be greatly destroyed and weakened before any strange health concerns arise.

Because of such cases, one needs to eat healthy foods that can keep the immune system strong and healthy or to help recover one that has been severely destroyed so as not to fall into dangerous health conditions.

Maintaining a Healthy Immune System; What to Eat

In order to maintain a healthy immune system, it is important to add lots of antioxidants and vitamins to your diet.

It is important to eat a variety of nutritious foods for you to be able to receive optimal nutrients that will keep your body’s immune system healthy. This gives your body’s immune system a chance to be able to guard against bacteria and viruses other that spend ample time in elimination of toxins from unhealthy foods.

Antioxidants flight and damage free radicals that destroy the DNA and frustrate the function ability of the immune system. According to research, inclusion of antioxidants in the diet helps to keep off some cancers. Fruits and vegetables contain lots of vitamin A,B,C and E, flavonoids and antioxidants making them greatly important inclusions I the diet to maintain not only a healthy immune system but also a healthy body.

The lowly button mushrooms nutrient power to your immunity.

The button mushrooms have been found to be very rich in selenium and also have antioxidant powers. Selenium protects you from developing severe flu even in the least amounts. This mushroom is also richly packed with vitamin B (riboflavin and niacin) which are responsible for keeping the immune system healthy. The mushroom is also found to have some anti-tumor, antiviral and antibacterial qualities.

Your immune system needs oysters to stay healthy

Research has it that oysters are great immune boosters. Oysters are rich in zinc which is very essential for male fertility. Zinc also has some other qualities like antiviral ability and assists the immune system where wound healing is concerned.

Nutritious refreshment for your immunity from watermelon

Water melons are greatly loaded with antioxidants and glutathione. Fully loaded with fluids, it is extremely refreshing and hydrating making you sparkling and healthy. The red thick fleshy pulp curtains Glutathione which boosts the immune systems duty of keeping off infection by strengthening it.

Juicy tangerines, oranges or Grapefruit for your immunity

Tangerines, grapefruits and oranges contain natural chemical compounds (flavonoids) that have been found to be very effective in the stimulation and activation of the immune system. They are also richly packed with vitamin C which is effective in the treatment of colds and flue.

Baking Wheat Germ a healthy immune system

Wheat germ is the source of most nutrients the sees a wheat plant grow healthily. It is packed with zinc vitamins B, antioxidants and has abundant minerals. It can be used in baking to enjoy its fat, protein and fiber rich contents.

Red, Chinese or white Cabbage for a healthy immune system

Cabbages are also rich in glutathione which is very responsible foe the strengthening of the immune system and further protection from infection. It is also awesomely nutritious and cabbages also contain antioxidants cabbages make a cheap healthy way to make soups and stews when used as additives.

Almonds saves your immune system from stress

Almonds contain vitamin E which is very important in the boosting of your immune system half of your vitamin E requirement could be provided in a serving of quarter cup of almonds. Vitamin B components niacin and riboflavin helps you to recover from any previous stressful effects that may have affected your body and weakened your immune system as a result.

Super spinach for supper health and immunity

This is a nutrient rich vegetable also referred to as a super food. It helps in the DNA repairs and production of new body cells. It is rich in antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C. spinach is better eaten raw or partially cooked to achieve the most health benefit.

Garlic; the defender of your immune system’s health

Garlic contains many antioxidants that defend the immune system from invaders. Chopping and leaving garlic for about 20 minutes before cooking activates enzymes which boost the immune system. Garlic also helps to keep off stomach cancer and ulcers by attacking a bacterium known as H. pylori it is also known for its antibiotic effect that help the body to stay healthy.

Facts and Myths about the Immune System’s Health

There are several myths surrounding the maintenance of a healthy immune system.

Aging affects the immune systems health

It is common for peoples’ consumption to decline with age as a result of various reasons and this most definitely has an adverse effect to the immune system.

Stress affects the health of your immune system

Just like on all the other aspects of your body’s system, stress slows down the functioning of your immune system. Long suffering from diseases like heart diseases and obesity exposes one to too much stress that in turn affects the immune system making you to be prone to further health problems such as osteoporosis, cancer and diabetes.

Some sunshine is good for your immune system

Sunlight on bare skin activates the production of a type of white blood cells known as T-cells which in turn boosts your immune system.

Exercise is good for your immune system

Physical activity stimulates the activity of the lymphatic system and helps to eliminate any toxins from the blood making your immune system to stay healthy.

Sleep helps to see to your having a healthy immune system

Having enough sleep not only gives your overall body and the immune system adequate time to rest but also helps facilitate its ability to produce white blood cells for the fighting of pathogens and keeping you relaxed and healthy.