Are you wondering what food you can eat to naturally improve your immune system? Although there are a number of ways to improve the functioning of your body's immune system, such as having a positive outlook on life, exercising, and reducing your stress, one of the simplest means is by eating the right foods to boost your immune system.
Cultures have been doing this for centuries: remember your grandmother's advice about an apple a day keeping the doctor away? This article will investigate good foods that will help you to boost your immune system for improved overall health. Just like taking glyconutrients, is simply a way of getting nutrient dense "food" into your body for enhanced cell function and immunity.
Immunity-boosting foods contain good quantities of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and omega-3 fatty acids. By eating such foods, you may find increased energy levels, and a decreased number of colds and flus caught over the course of the year.
Garlic was been widely used throughout human history for its health benefits. Garlic has three ingredients used in immune system functioning: allicin, ajoene and thiosulfinates, which have documented as having anti-infection and anti-fungal properties. Further evidence suggests that those taking good quantities of garlic when they first catch a cold are likely to experience reduced duration and severity of symptoms.
Freshly-crushed garlic is the best to eat, as allicin is released during the crushing process. The allicin, anjoene and thiosulfinates in garlic will degrade in potency over time, so you are best off using fresh garlic, rather than stuff you get in jars.
Carrots are loaded with beta carotene, a phytonutrient that assists the body in building Natural Killer T cells (NKT cells). These cells are responsible for killing off microbes in the body. Carrots have another beneficial component called falcarinol, that, in studies carried out by the University of Newcastle, has shown promise as an anti-cancer agent.
Carrots are best eaten raw and fresh to ensure you get the benefit of all the good stuff they contain. Half a cup a day is recommended for the best effects in boosting your immune system. And who eats half a cup every day of carrots? Lets be real. We all need to improve our diet.
Yogurt contains the famous lactobacillus acidophilus, and while that doesn't sound so tasty, these good critters help digestion by producing lactic acid which breaks down food in the intestines, helping us to absorb food. Further, these good bacteria compete with less good ones like salmonella, and by doing so helps to ward off diseases that they cause.
Oysters are great immune system friends. They contain plenty of zinc, which assists white blood cells and other antibodies reproduce more quickly and act more vigorously in fighting infections. Zinc is vital for cell growth and it stimulates enzymes to facilitate the body's chemical reactions.
Astragalus root is popular in Chinese medicine as a key component of immune boosting soups and teas. It may be fun for you to visit your local oriental store and try Astragalus.
In looking at foods that boost the immune system, Prevention magazine recommends mushrooms, beef, sweet potatoes, yogurt and herbal tea. It is kind of difficult though to specify certain foods that will specifically boost your immune system. The nutrient or vitamin or mineral that your body needs most, is the one that it is lacking in your diet. That is why www.ifoundhealth.com sells supplements that are food based and designed to help give your body a great deal of essential nutrients. We recommend our supplements along with a healthy diet.
Nutrition is very important. The human body is designed to take sustenance and health-maintaining qualities from food. Remember that, the next time you are heading towards the Golden Arches.