A weak immune system is also known as lowered resistance. There are two functions of the immune system. The two functions are crucial for survival and they are:
1) The first function is identification. The immune system must be able to identify the many varieties of microorganisms as well as foreign substances that can pose a potential threat such as dust, chemical products, other living cells, and the body’s own deteriorated cells that have been changed due to certain mutations that can result in cancer if left to develop.
2) The second function is the annihilation of the substances, foreign cells, and microorganisms that the immune system deems detrimental to the survival of the body.
The following immune boosting foods that are mentioned in this article play an important role in the maintenance and upkeep of this multifaceted defense system.
Here are some things that contribute to a weakened immune system:
1) Being malnourished or under nourished can cause your immune system to become compromised. Not getting enough of the many essential nutrients particularly the vitamins and trace elements that the body needs to perform at optimal efficiency will have a negative effect on the body’s defenses as well.
2) Physical or psychological stress can be an immune system buster.
3) Chemotherapy, which is an anti-cancer treatment.
4) Infectious diseases
Immune boosting foods – uplift your body’s defenses with these immune system boosting foods
- Antioxidants are extremely important because the body needs them to help neutralize the destructive free radicals that are generated as a result of infections, pollution, stress, and body’s own metabolic processes. The body’s resistance capacity is greatly diminished by these free radicals. The most powerful antioxidants are: vitamin C, provitamin A, vitamin E, and flavonoids. The best sources of the aforementioned nutrients are plant-based foods. Proper functioning of the immune system greatly depends on these antioxidants.
- Proteins are extremely important to the building up and proper maintenance of the immune system because the antibodies that the body produces to help fight off foreign invaders are formed of proteins. A diet that does not include adequate protein intake will result in a much weaker defense system. Many people think that only animal-based proteins are beneficial. However, that is only a myth; you can get the same benefits from properly combined vegetable proteins that are also used by the body to synthesize antibodies as well as other proteins.
- Trace elements such as zinc, copper, selenium and others are important because they help activate the enzymes that synthesize antibodies. Good sources of trace elements are sesame, molasses, and wheat germ.
- Vitamin C and flavonoid phytochemicals that you get from eating citrus fruits can increase the defensive capacity of the leukocytes, which are the white blood cells.
- Certain oils play an important role in boosting the immune system. Seed oils in particular contain linoleic acid that plays an important role in the formation of antibodies. Another important benefit of seed oils is they also supply vitamin E, which is also beneficial to the system.
- Propolis is an antibiotic substance that is manufactured by bees and it strengthens the body’s resistance to infections.
- Royal jelly is a tonic that helps to stimulate all functions of the body, which also includes the immune system.
- Garlic is a natural antibiotic, which also stimulates the response of the immune system.
- Yogurt that contains live bacterial cultures protects the intestinal mucosa as well as improves your body’s ability to fight off infection. In addition, they also help strengthen the overall immune response.
- The American acerola is the most vitamin C rich fruit; there is no disputing this fact because it contains up to fifty percent more vitamin C than lemons. However, the Mediterranean variety, azarole, belongs to a different species, is also extremely rich in vitamin C, but not as much. Vitamin C increases the effectiveness of the leukocytes, which are the white blood cells. And it promotes the production of interferon, which is an antiviral protein.
- Kiwi is a great immune boosting food because they’re high in vitamin C as well as trace elements. Eating kiwi is a great way to help stimulate the body’s disease-resistance mechanisms.
- Eating tomatoes help boost the immune system because they’re rich in antioxidant carotenoids as well as minerals that help solidify the body’s defense systems.
- Alfalfa sprouts are great immune boosters because they’re rich in trace elements and minerals that stimulate the synthesis of antibodies.
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