Immune Support Through Nutrition

Each day, thousands of microorganisms try to make their way into your body. Some can be beneficial, others are neutral, but specific ones can wreak havoc on our health. This includes many bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

 

You don’t realize this is happening, and most of these invaders never make it inside your body. The ones that do manage to pass the initial line of defense have to deal with your immune system: 

 

The all-seeing surveillance system of your body helps keep you safe and healthy.

 

Why You Should Care About Natural Immune Support

 

We often take our health for granted. But think back to a time when you caught the flu and couldn’t get out of bed. You ran a high fever, your nose was runny, you were coughing a lot, and you couldn’t function at all. You had no appetite, motivation, or energy.

 

Remember how that felt and how badly you wanted things to go back to normal. How you said to yourself that you would appreciate ordinary so much more once you had it again.

 

But then, you overcame the flu, things went back to normal, and you forgot all about it.

 

It’s human nature to forget. But we need to be conscious that our immunity is what protects us. It’s what keeps invaders away, helps us remain healthy, and prevents the disease from making your body its home.

 

Foods That Fight Infection and Disease

 

The body needs a wide range of nutrients to function optimally, and that applies to our immune system. Poor nutrition leads to deficiencies, which prevent the body from fighting infections and disease.

 

To that end, we need to pay careful attention and make sure to consume certain foods. Good examples include:

 

• Meat and poultry – these foods are rich in protein that prevents catabolism and supports white blood cell production.
• Fatty fish – besides its rich protein contents, fatty fish is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids that seems to benefit our immunity.
• Fruits and veggies – these offer a wide range of nutrients the body needs to remain healthy. Some notable examples include vitamins B, C, and E, and the minerals zinc, iron, and selenium. Citrus fruits and leafy greens are fantastic because they are rich in vitamin C – a nutrient with a crucial role in immune system health.

 

Top Ten Tips For Healthy Living

 

Before wrapping up this post, here are ten actionable ways to lead a healthier life and optimize immune system function:

 

1. Get enough sleep. General guidelines recommend anywhere from seven to eight hours for adults.
2. Exercise regularly. While too much exercise can hinder immune system function, moderate amounts appear to strengthen it.
3. Manage your stress. Activities like meditation, journaling, reading, and finding time for play are all beneficial in that regard.
4. Consume the right foods. Citrus fruits, leafy greens, fatty fish, meat, bell peppers, garlic, nuts, and seeds are all immunity-boosting options.
5. On that note, base your nutrition around whole and minimally processed foods.
6. Limit added sugars and trans fats.
7. Break up sitting time with regular movement. For instance, set a timer for each hour to get up, walk around a bit, stretch, and sit back down.
8. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, freshly-squeezed juice, and tea each day.
9. Take care of your gut health. Fermented foods, probiotics, and fiber are all beneficial in keeping your digestive tract healthy.
10. Expose yourself to regular sunlight. Aim for at least twenty minutes per day – ideally in the morning or evening. This will help you soak up more vitamin D.