Can I Really Beef Up My Immune System with Food Alone?

There is no doubt in any of our minds that there is a strong relationship between diet and health. Numerous studies have already shown this. We all know that by eating the right foods, we increase our chances of establishing and maintain good health. Additional evidence confirms, a proper diet reduces and individual's likelihood of contracting many of today's major life threatening diseases such cancer, osteoporosis, stroke, high bold pressure, and heat disease. The facts are crystal clear if you eat right you can strengthen your immune system and improve your health throughout your lifetime.

Your immune system is your body's internal army that defends, resist, and protect it against invasion of certain diseases producing organisms. When your immunity is weak you are more vulnerable to contracting disease. White blood cells play a major part in your immune system's ability to response correctly to the unwanted organisms, germs, and viruses that can invade our body. The thymus, T-cells, liver, spleen, lymph glands, and bone marrow are your body's first line of defense, all working together to defend and fight off disease. There are foods which are super potent and also can help improve your body's ability to ward off illness, swine flu viruses, and other illness and debilitating infirmities caused by a weaken immune system.

There are 7 major health areas you should observed on a regular basis to help maintain your immune system overall. They are; participate regularly in moderate exercise, maintain the proper body weight for your height, age, and build, drink plenty of clean purified water, be sure that your daily food intake contains plenty of fiber, eat a varied diet that include multiple servings of fruit and vegetables, quit smoking cigarettes and drinking alcoholic beverages, and reduce the amount of fat that you consume. By maintaining a habitual regiment in these areas you should be able to keep your body in top shape.

To enable your immune system to operate at peak efficiency, you must keep it well supplied with proper nutrients. Your blood and other tissue fluids contain a number of different chemical substances that are able to kill off a wide variety of microbes and organisms. Your body fluids also contain various scavenger cells that ingest and destroy foreign particles. There are four potent immune boosting super foods that aid these systems to constantly operate at their optimal.

A nutrient called folic acid (folate) is known to reduce the risks of a number of diseases according to numerous scientific studies. The current daily recommended dietary allowance of folic acid is 200 mcg for an adult. Some studies recommend 400 mcg per day. According to a Tufts University study, low blood levels of folate have been linked to heart disease and certain types of cancer. Foods rich in folic acid are beans and peas, turnip greens, spinach and other leafy green vegetables. Nuts, organ meats, and mushrooms are other good sources. Folate rich foods should be a part of your daily diet.

Generally consumed in the form of beta carotene, Vitamin A has been shown to stimulate the immune system and stimulate the thymus. You may remember that the thymus is a member of your immune system's first line of defense against disease. Vitamin A also prevents the thymus from shrinking as you age. The best source of Vitamin A is carrots. Yes that is right; Bugs Bunny's favorite food is a super immune system building food. Other foods rich in Vitamin A and beta carotene are dark green leafy vegetables (didn't I say that once before?), eggs, cantaloupes, oranges, apricots, and oily fish.

Studies show that Vitamin E also helps to arouse the immune system. It inhibits bodily tissue oxidation and degenerative acceleration of the internal organs. Food sources rich in Vitamin E are whole grain cereals, dried beans, eggs, fish, and vegetable oils. Vitamin K is the last of the immune system protection super food group. Research performed is different parts of the world confirm that Vitamin K helps stimulate the production of antibodies, which helps your immune system repel infections causing bacteria and viruses such as the swine flu. The number one good food source of Vitamin K is cabbage.These potent immune system building foods aid your body by increasing white blood cell count. Remember, white blood cells are also part of your immune system's first line of defense again disease causing organisms. Doesn't it make sense that they should be a part of your regular daily diet?

Resource: 20 Best Foods For Men - Men's Health Magazine - October, 2008