How To Boost Your Immune System...
Your immune system is always working hard in the background to keep you healthy and well. It can be easy to forget exactly what your immune system is doing and how important it is to take care of it. The immune system is your body’s inbuilt defence system to protect you against infection and illness. Without your immune system, bacteria and viruses would have free reign over your body, and you would often find yourself ill with anything from the common cold to nasty diseases.
A properly functioning and robust immune system is vital for allowing you to go about your daily life. We all come into contact with bugs and germs on a regular basis, and our immune systems protect us from these. It is made up of many different parts of the body, including the skin, gut, mucus, and lymph system. When bacteria and viruses enter the body, the immune system will quickly put specialist cells to work to fight off the dangers they bring.
It can be very easy to take our immune systems for granted, but it is important to remember to keep your immune system healthy too. When you look after your immune system properly, it will look after you. A healthy immune system can’t be built overnight, and it takes a continuous effort to build up good defences. Certain foods and vitamins are great for boosting the immune system. Start incorporating these immune-boosting foods into your diet and stay consistent for a healthy immune system.
Berries
Many different types of berries are great for your general health and wellbeing. Elderberries have been hailed for the medicinal properties for centuries. They are commonly used to create cold-fighting lozenges and syrups thanks to their immune-boosting properties.
Elderberries are anti-inflammatory and antiviral, and they work by reducing the swelling in the mucus membranes. This delicious treat can help boost the immune system and protect against colds and flu.
Broccoli
We all know that broccoli is good for us because it is packed full of fibre and protein, but did you know it is also good for the immune system? The delicious green vegetable is supercharged with vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E. In addition to these; it is a powerful antioxidant and source of fibre. It helps to protect and encourage the immune system, and the key to getting the most nutrition from broccoli is to cook it as little as possible.
Kale
Broccoli isn’t the only green that offers immune-boosting properties. Kale is another delicious vegetable that contains very high levels of vitamin C. This is a great antioxidant and helps to fight infections. Not only that, but kale can help to regenerate other antioxidants within the body, such as vitamin E. Kale contains folate, which is known to be another immune booster, making it one of the best foods for a healthy system.
Kiwi
Kiwis are a deliciously refreshing snack and can also help to keep your immune system fitting fit. They are naturally packed full of essential nutrients. Kiwis provide potassium, folate, vitamin K and vitamin C. This all helps to boost the white blood cells in the body. White blood cells work as part of the immune system to fight infections and keep the body functioning normally. By incorporating kiwis into your diet, you can provide your immune system with many of the nutrients it needs.
Vitamin C
One thing that many of the foods on this list have in common is that they are high in vitamin C. It is one of the biggest immune system boosters around and when the body has a lack of vitamin C you can be more prone to getting ill.
A daily intake of vitamin C is vital for immune system health because the body isn’t able to produce or store it naturally. There are many foods high in vitamin C that can be incorporated into the diet, or supplements can be taken to boost intake.
Vitamin D
Studies have shown that vitamin D plays an important role in arming the immune system against bacteria and bugs. Maintaining good levels of vitamin D is vital for a healthy body and boosting immunity. Vitamin D is formed in the skin because of sunlight, and it is also found in eggs, oily fish, breakfast cereals and supplements.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral that is vital for the body’s functions in many different ways. One of the most important benefits of zinc is that it keeps the immune system healthy and strong. It is commonly used for treating the common cold because of its infection-fighting properties. Zinc can be found naturally in red meat, oysters, whole grains, poultry, beans and nuts. It is also possible to get zinc supplements to complement a healthy immune system.