Food for Building Your Immune System
The human immune system is a marvel of biology. The ability to distinguish between the body and foreign objects, and then neutralize these objects, is an incredible feat. The immune system requires certain nutrients in order to carry out its functions. Boosting the immune system is a matter of not only eating certain types of foods, but also avoiding processed foods and those with chemical additives that can inhibit immune function.
Raw Foods
Maintaining a healthy immune system usually requires nothing more than consuming adequate nutrition and avoiding toxic substances. Unfortunately, most food is processed, preserved or cooked--all of which reduce the nutritive content and introduce harmful additives. Even without giving up some cooked food, many people have discovered that making raw food the bulk of their diet has boosted their energy levels, eliminated disease, removed drug dependence and increased overall immune function. As long as food is kept below 118 degrees Fahrenheit, it retains enzymes and other healthful nutrients that are lost in cooking and processing.
Garlic
The food with the largest direct impact on building your immune system is garlic. Since at least the time of the Roman Empire, people have attributed beneficial effects to eating garlic. But, to realize these effects, the garlic has to be diced and eaten raw or very lightly sautéed. Garlic contains the precursors to allicin, a powerful immune-boosting substance. Allicin only forms when garlic is chopped, diced or minced, allowing the precursors to interact. After the allicin is formed, it quickly degrades in heat or open air. Thus, to boost the immune system, garlic should be chopped finely shortly before eating.
Carrots
The beta carotene in carrots is traditionally linked with strong eyesight, but it's also a powerful immune system booster. Carrots are a healthy snack eaten raw or juiced. Steaming carrots can actually make the beta carotene easier for the body to use. Beta carotene and falcarinol support the creation of healthy T-cells, an essential bacteria- and cancer-fighting part of your immune system arsenal.
Oysters
Zinc is an important nutrient for proper immune function. It is essential for production of white blood cells and antibodies. The most abundant food source of zinc by far is oysters. Just a few can significantly boost your immune system. Zinc deficiency can cause a complete immune system shut down. But too much can be toxic, so don't overdo it. If you can't handle oysters, luckily zinc is also present (to a much lesser extent) in crab, beef, turkey, cheese and beans. Foods that are high in protein, which also has immune benefits, usually also contain zinc.
Yogurt
Believe it or not, there's good bacteria in your gut that makes a healthy immune system possible. Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium are essential to proper digestion; without them it would be impossible to absorb enough nutrition from food to maintain a working immune system. Yogurt with live bacteria cultures is an easy way to replenish the good bacteria in your gut. Some brands of milk are also enriched with acidophilus.
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