Build Your Immune System Naturally 2

More foods to help you build your immune system naturally:

* Garlic – Garlic is superb at fighting almost any type of infection. It is often used in herbal remedies. Just eating it a few times a week will help keep the immune system at its peak. For best results, eat garlic fresh and crush it thoroughly. This will maximize the amounts and availability of the infection-fighting compounds present in the garlic.

* Yogurt – Yogurt is rich in bacterial cultures, especially what are called probiotics. Bacteria might sound like the last thing your immune system needs, but probiotics (the opposite of anti-biotics) such as the acidophilus bacteria found in yogurt are essential to the immune system’s proper function. The acidophilus bacteria help us absorb the nutrients in our food and fight disease-causing bacteria and viruses.

Another type of bacteria found in yogurt, bifidobacterium, is particularly beneficial to the elderly to help them digest their food. If you have been ill and taking antibiotics, you might want to consider adding some probiotics to your diet to balance your immune system.

* Oysters – Oysters are one of the best sources of zinc one could hope for. Zinc aids in the reproduction and function of antibodies. It also hinders bacterial and viral growth, making it easier for the immune system to kill harmful germs.

* Pumpkin seeds – Another great source of zinc, and more readily available than oysters. They are not only a great healthy snack you can take with you anywhere, they are also a terrific topper on salads, muffins and more.

* Fatty fish – Omega 3 fatty acids are present in large quantities in fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and mackerel. Omega 3 fatty acids encourage activity in phagocytes, the white blood cells that consume bacteria. Adding a vitamin E supplement will enhance this effect.

Omega 6 fatty acids are similar, and can be found in sources such as flax seed, a great salad topper, if you are not that fond of fish. There are also many fish oil supplements on the market. There is no need to overpay for fish oil. Pretty much any supplement with pure fish oil will do to help boost your immune system.

If we take care of our immune system, it can fight off most diseases and infections without the aid of antibiotics and other drugs. Including these foods in our diet is a good start to build your immune system naturally.

Build Your Immune System Naturally 1

The immune system of the human body is quite remarkable. When our bodies are invaded with foreign bodies such as germs it springs into action, sending defenders to fight them off. It’s too bad that our immune system is often not working as well as it could.

Stress, improper diet, lack of exercise, and environmental factors can all impact the immune system negatively. If the immune system is not in good working order, we’re more likely to get sick. Then the illness is harder on our bodies, and we do not recover as quickly as we should.

But we can boost our immune systems, and we don’t need prescription or over-the-counter drugs to do it. Eating the right foods gives us the nutrients that our immune systems need to be at the top of their game.

Here are some of the best immune-boosting foods to help build your immune system naturally.

* Citrus fruits – Oranges, lemons and other citrus fruits are powerful immune boosters. They contain vitamin C, a nutrient that helps increase the production of white blood cells and antibodies. A medium orange contains 75 milligrams of vitamin C. A single kiwi fruit contains 110% of your daily allowance of vitamin C.

* Carrots – Carrots are loaded with beta carotene. This phytonutrient is a close ally of the immune system. It promotes the production of killer cells and T cells, which are powerful infection fighters. Studies have also shown that falcarinol, a compound found in carrots, may help prevent and fight cancer

Continued in Build Your Immune System Naturally 2