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With increasing pollution,adulterated food stuffs,reduced workouts,malnutrition,lack of exercises etc., have resulted in people having less resistance to fight against diseases. The immune system is badly affected. There are many natural remedies to boost our immune systems and the result will be we will be less prone to illnesses.
Let us see 10 natural remedies for the same.
10 natural remedies to strengthen your immune system
Immunity
Your immunity is the shield that protects your body from a whole host of infections like cold and cough, skin infections, respiratory ailments, and strengthening it is very essential to staying healthy. While you can do a number of things to help strengthen it like exercising, eating right and paying attention to your cleanliness there are certain natural ways to give it a boost. Here are 10 foods that can help give your immune system that much needed boost.
Guavas, oranges and lemons
Guavas, oranges and lemons contain vitamin C which plays an important role as a natural antioxidant in our body. Vitamin C also helps the white blood cells perform their function of responding quickly to infections and thus, has an immunity-enhancing action. Apart from that, guavas also contain a lot of fiber which has a protective role against high cholesterol and heart disease.
Carrots, red pumpkins and papayas
All orange, yellow and red coloured fruits and vegetables are rich sources of beta carotene that is known to have immune-protective action. By acting on different components of the immune system, beta carotene helps the body fend off infection quite effectively. So make sure you include a lot of papaya, carrots and red pumpkins in your diet to keep your immune system running smoothly.
Garlic
Along with its action against bacterial and viral infections and anti-inflammatory activity, garlic has been known for its protective action against heart disease and high levels of blood cholesterol. In recent times, studies have been increasingly finding garlic plays a role in preventing cancers of different organs. Include a little crushed garlic in your cooking every day and the allicin it contains will keep your immune system up and running in perfect condition.
Flaxseeds
Flaxseed contains alpha-linolenic acid, omega-3 fatty acid and phytoestrogens called lignans – all these ingredients are important in modulating the response of the immune system. By acting on the components that mediate the immune response, these compounds can help keep infections and autoimmune diseases away.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains vitamin B6 and a lot of minerals such as potassium, manganese and iron that play an important role in the functioning of different body systems. Besides, it also contains curcumin which has valuable antioxidant action and this enhances the functioning of the immune system.
Yogurt
You may have heard of yogurt as being good for digestion because it contains probiotics. Several studies have found that it can also improve immune function and protect the body against common bacterial and viral infections. This action is believed to be a result of yogurt’s ability to stimulate the production of interferon – a component that boosts the immune system’s functioning. Some studies have also found that consuming yogurt daily can reduce your chances of developing vaginal yeast infections.
Almonds
A lack of vitamin E can affect the immune system’s ability to fight infections. Chew on a handful of almonds which are rich in vitamin E; this will keep your immune system running in smooth order.
Green leafy vegetables
If you have always eaten green leafy vegetables out of compulsion, here is some news to make you love them. These leaf veggies are a rich source of folic acid which has an important role in the working of the immune system. Studies have found that people with deficiency of folic acid are unable to secrete necessary quantities of antibodies that have infection-fighting properties. Especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, make sure you get more of folic acid to supplement your body’s increased requirement during these times.
Green Tea
Green tea is a potent source of antioxidants called the polyphenols – especially catechins. Some studies have found that these have the ability to destroy the influenza – or common cold – virus. However, when you have green tea, it is important you leave the milk out because the proteins in milk will bind with the catechins, causing it to lose its antioxidant properties. Adding a little lemon or honey will not have such effects and can even improve palatability. Make sure you only have a few cups of green a day, as this excellent health drink also has side effects.
Foods and products that can weaken your immune system
While all these foods do help to boost immunity, it is also vital to avoid those foods that diminish the immune system’s ability to deal with infection. Substances that irritate the inner lining of the stomach – alcohol and some drugs such as ibuprofen for example – can have the effect of reducing immune system responses and therefore, should be avoided. Several pesticides that are used in growing food contain metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium; if these find a way into your food, they can have a harmful effect on your immunity – yet another reason to switch to organically grown foods.
So, what are you waiting for? Stock your kitchen with the foods mentioned here to cut your odds of suffering from health problems that interfere with the quality of your life.
With increasing pollution,adulterated food stuffs,reduced workouts,malnutrition,lack of exercises etc., have resulted in people having less resistance to fight against diseases. The immune system is badly affected. There are many natural remedies to boost our immune systems and the result will be we will be less prone to illnesses.
Let us see 10 natural remedies for the same.
10 natural remedies to strengthen your immune system
Immunity
Your immunity is the shield that protects your body from a whole host of infections like cold and cough, skin infections, respiratory ailments, and strengthening it is very essential to staying healthy. While you can do a number of things to help strengthen it like exercising, eating right and paying attention to your cleanliness there are certain natural ways to give it a boost. Here are 10 foods that can help give your immune system that much needed boost.
Guavas, oranges and lemons
Guavas, oranges and lemons contain vitamin C which plays an important role as a natural antioxidant in our body. Vitamin C also helps the white blood cells perform their function of responding quickly to infections and thus, has an immunity-enhancing action. Apart from that, guavas also contain a lot of fiber which has a protective role against high cholesterol and heart disease.
Carrots, red pumpkins and papayas
All orange, yellow and red coloured fruits and vegetables are rich sources of beta carotene that is known to have immune-protective action. By acting on different components of the immune system, beta carotene helps the body fend off infection quite effectively. So make sure you include a lot of papaya, carrots and red pumpkins in your diet to keep your immune system running smoothly.
Garlic
Along with its action against bacterial and viral infections and anti-inflammatory activity, garlic has been known for its protective action against heart disease and high levels of blood cholesterol. In recent times, studies have been increasingly finding garlic plays a role in preventing cancers of different organs. Include a little crushed garlic in your cooking every day and the allicin it contains will keep your immune system up and running in perfect condition.
Flaxseeds
Flaxseed contains alpha-linolenic acid, omega-3 fatty acid and phytoestrogens called lignans – all these ingredients are important in modulating the response of the immune system. By acting on the components that mediate the immune response, these compounds can help keep infections and autoimmune diseases away.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains vitamin B6 and a lot of minerals such as potassium, manganese and iron that play an important role in the functioning of different body systems. Besides, it also contains curcumin which has valuable antioxidant action and this enhances the functioning of the immune system.
Yogurt
You may have heard of yogurt as being good for digestion because it contains probiotics. Several studies have found that it can also improve immune function and protect the body against common bacterial and viral infections. This action is believed to be a result of yogurt’s ability to stimulate the production of interferon – a component that boosts the immune system’s functioning. Some studies have also found that consuming yogurt daily can reduce your chances of developing vaginal yeast infections.
Almonds
A lack of vitamin E can affect the immune system’s ability to fight infections. Chew on a handful of almonds which are rich in vitamin E; this will keep your immune system running in smooth order.
Green leafy vegetables
If you have always eaten green leafy vegetables out of compulsion, here is some news to make you love them. These leaf veggies are a rich source of folic acid which has an important role in the working of the immune system. Studies have found that people with deficiency of folic acid are unable to secrete necessary quantities of antibodies that have infection-fighting properties. Especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, make sure you get more of folic acid to supplement your body’s increased requirement during these times.
Green Tea
Green tea is a potent source of antioxidants called the polyphenols – especially catechins. Some studies have found that these have the ability to destroy the influenza – or common cold – virus. However, when you have green tea, it is important you leave the milk out because the proteins in milk will bind with the catechins, causing it to lose its antioxidant properties. Adding a little lemon or honey will not have such effects and can even improve palatability. Make sure you only have a few cups of green a day, as this excellent health drink also has side effects.
Foods and products that can weaken your immune system
While all these foods do help to boost immunity, it is also vital to avoid those foods that diminish the immune system’s ability to deal with infection. Substances that irritate the inner lining of the stomach – alcohol and some drugs such as ibuprofen for example – can have the effect of reducing immune system responses and therefore, should be avoided. Several pesticides that are used in growing food contain metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium; if these find a way into your food, they can have a harmful effect on your immunity – yet another reason to switch to organically grown foods.
So, what are you waiting for? Stock your kitchen with the foods mentioned here to cut your odds of suffering from health problems that interfere with the quality of your life.