With the advent of the flu season and the issue of swine flu (H1N1) and immunity against the disease, it is our professional duty that compels us to share with you our knowledge on how to strengthen immunity through food.
The Immune system is made up of white blood cells, antibodies and lymph glands and all these components need food to keep them healthy and in perfect shape.
How can you strengthen your immune system through food?
1. Eat citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, broccoli, parsley, mango, papaya and green leafy vegetables. All these are sources of vitamin C which is an antioxidant and helps to strengthen the immune by its ability to maintain the integrity of the immune cells.)
2. Eat food that is rich in vitamin E. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant and helps to strengthen the immune cells and can be provided through the consumption of oils, avocados, walnuts, almonds and whole grain cereals. But do not forget that they are rich in fat and can lead to weight increase. So moderation is key !
3. Food rich in vitamin A or beta carotene are critical to the formation of immune cells and fighting bacteria and viruses. Sources are: green leafy vegetables, fruit and vegetables such as apricots, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes and peppers.
4. As for the following foods: garlic, meat, chicken, seafood, whole grain cereals, they are important sources of selenium (Selenium). Studies have demonstrated that it maintains the white blood cells and protects them from oxidation.
5. Seafood, whole grain cereals, milk, legumes are also important sources of Zinc. Studies have demonstrated that it maintains the white blood cells, antibodies and lymph glands.
6. Foods rich in vitamin B 6 are responsible of maintaining the number of white blood cells and antibodies. This vitamin is present in: meat, wheat bran, milk, egg yolk, legumes and oats.
7. Foods that are rich in vitamin B 12 are also responsible for maintaining the number of white blood cells and are present in: green leafy vegetables, meat, organ meat, eggs, milk and dairy products.
8. Finally, Omega 3 is found in fish, wallnuts, linseed. This fatty acid enhances the immune system and protects against diseases
Why are some types of food important and how are able to help your immune system?
Cranberries:
Contain antioxidants that can help the immune system in fighting urinary tract infections.
Garlic:
Fights and kills bacteria and works as an antioxidant, thus it helps in strengthening the immune system.
Grapes (grape seeds and skin):
Fight bacteria especially those causing infections in the digestive system.
Licorice: (found in candy, gums, and drinks)
Kills bacteria especially those causing infections in the digestive system and dental caries.
Shiitake Mushrooms (found in dried form in the international food section at supermarkets):
Works as an antioxidant that helps the immune system defend itself against foreign bodies.
Echinacea:
Is a kind of herb that was used to clean cuts, and wound, and sterilize insect's stings.
It is now used to prevent against diseases such as the flu but its benefits are still under study.
Anise:
Is a kind of herb that was advertized as protecting against flu, bird flu, swine flu…
In fact it contains Shikimic acid which is used to develop the drug for swine flu.
However, its antiviral properties are mainly due to the fact that it's usually consumed as a hot drink which helps decrease the intensity of the flu symptoms and kills viruses and bacteria.
The Immune system is made up of white blood cells, antibodies and lymph glands and all these components need food to keep them healthy and in perfect shape.
How can you strengthen your immune system through food?
1. Eat citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, broccoli, parsley, mango, papaya and green leafy vegetables. All these are sources of vitamin C which is an antioxidant and helps to strengthen the immune by its ability to maintain the integrity of the immune cells.)
2. Eat food that is rich in vitamin E. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant and helps to strengthen the immune cells and can be provided through the consumption of oils, avocados, walnuts, almonds and whole grain cereals. But do not forget that they are rich in fat and can lead to weight increase. So moderation is key !
3. Food rich in vitamin A or beta carotene are critical to the formation of immune cells and fighting bacteria and viruses. Sources are: green leafy vegetables, fruit and vegetables such as apricots, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes and peppers.
4. As for the following foods: garlic, meat, chicken, seafood, whole grain cereals, they are important sources of selenium (Selenium). Studies have demonstrated that it maintains the white blood cells and protects them from oxidation.
5. Seafood, whole grain cereals, milk, legumes are also important sources of Zinc. Studies have demonstrated that it maintains the white blood cells, antibodies and lymph glands.
6. Foods rich in vitamin B 6 are responsible of maintaining the number of white blood cells and antibodies. This vitamin is present in: meat, wheat bran, milk, egg yolk, legumes and oats.
7. Foods that are rich in vitamin B 12 are also responsible for maintaining the number of white blood cells and are present in: green leafy vegetables, meat, organ meat, eggs, milk and dairy products.
8. Finally, Omega 3 is found in fish, wallnuts, linseed. This fatty acid enhances the immune system and protects against diseases
Why are some types of food important and how are able to help your immune system?
Cranberries:
Contain antioxidants that can help the immune system in fighting urinary tract infections.
Garlic:
Fights and kills bacteria and works as an antioxidant, thus it helps in strengthening the immune system.
Grapes (grape seeds and skin):
Fight bacteria especially those causing infections in the digestive system.
Licorice: (found in candy, gums, and drinks)
Kills bacteria especially those causing infections in the digestive system and dental caries.
Shiitake Mushrooms (found in dried form in the international food section at supermarkets):
Works as an antioxidant that helps the immune system defend itself against foreign bodies.
Echinacea:
Is a kind of herb that was used to clean cuts, and wound, and sterilize insect's stings.
It is now used to prevent against diseases such as the flu but its benefits are still under study.
Anise:
Is a kind of herb that was advertized as protecting against flu, bird flu, swine flu…
In fact it contains Shikimic acid which is used to develop the drug for swine flu.
However, its antiviral properties are mainly due to the fact that it's usually consumed as a hot drink which helps decrease the intensity of the flu symptoms and kills viruses and bacteria.
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