5 reasons why nutrition for Immunity is important

No disease that can be treated by food should be treated by any other means – Anonymous

Have you ever wondered why doesn’t everyone in the house catch an infection at the same time? There are some who frequently fall ill, while there are some who rarely catch it! The answer lies in their immunity! Infections are always around us in the air surrounding us. Whether or not we catch them depends on our resistance!

An active immune system is your key to stay healthy! It saves you from infections as well as life threatening diseases like cancer. Stronger your immune system, lesser is the chance of you falling ill. By including immune boosting nutrients in your diet and other healthy changes in your lifestyle, you can ensure that your immune system is strong enough to protect you against most infections. The human body has an in-built mechanism that protects it against bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing organisms: the immune system. The immune system is our shield against disease. Its uninterrupted functioning is very important in maintaining our health.

Does the way we eat affect the immune system?

From last 50 – 100 years, one of the most devastating changes in our lifestyle is in our food supply:

1.   Livestock (meat and poultry) have been increasingly treated with antibiotics and growth hormones to increase their yield. They are fed with food which is grown chemically.

2.   Our diets are heavily dependent on processed convenience foods full of additives like preservatives, food colors, flavors etc. and new synthetic foods with hydrogenated or artificial fats and artificial sweeteners. These are all substances that the body doesn’t recognize as nourishment, but rather as toxins that have to be eliminated because they are all foreign to us. The immune system is already overloaded dealing with such foreign substances. It also has to fight against the toxic chemicals entering our body from polluted air and water. Hence, it may not have the reserves to fight against common allergens, germs and viruses.

3. Because of this, the immune system overreacts, using valuable energy that could be used elsewhere in fighting against infectious organisms. Hence, it is really important to not waste your immune system’s energy dealing with common allergens or problem foods. So here’s what you need to know to get started.

4. A healthy diet is the foundation of long term health maintenance and a strong immune system. It increases the effectiveness of all medicines, so that they are required in a small amount, minimizes the side effects of all medicines we take, especially antibiotics, and improves the overall energy and quality of life.

Foods to boost immune system function:

• Fruits

Guava, papaya, strawberries, orange, mangoes, and pineapple are rich sources for vitamin A and C. A daily dose of fresh squeezed lemon juice is a great way to improve digestive health, lower the body’s acidity, and ample supply of vitamin C.

• Vegetables

Vegetables are loaded with nutrients that are essential for our immune system. Consuming them on a daily basis boosts the immunity. Consume some cooked and some raw vegetables everyday. Vegetables contain immune fighting nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C etc. All leafy green, yellow and orange vegetables provide vitamin A.

• Whole grains

Brown rice, millet, oats, barley, and other whole grains are a valuable source of the vitamins, minerals and fiber that are an essential part of keeping the immune system healthy. Fiber helps cleanse the colon of toxins and helps prevent intestinal infections. Intact whole grains, not the flour products made from them are what really strengthen the digestive system.

• Fats

Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-lipoic acid include nuts and seeds (walnuts, soybeans), leafy green vegetables, grains, and vegetable oil (corn, safflower, sesame, sunflower and flaxseed oil).

What not to eat?

• Decrease your intake of unhealthy fat

Unhealthy fats weaken your immunity. These fats compromise the activity of your natural killer cells – which are the surveillance cells of the immune system. These cells constantly look out for infection causing bacteria, viruses, cancer cells etc and initiate immune system signals which can help fight them. Fats from fried food, refined oils etc. contain unhealthy saturated fats, trans fats which can compromise immunity.

• Sugar

Excessive sugar consumption compromises immunity and creates a favourable environment for growth of infectious bacteria, viruses and cancer cells. Avoid excessive sugar consumption in the form of sweets, juices etc. every day.

• Chemically grown fruits and vegetables

Chemical residues in food weaken the activity of our liver, cause nutrient deficiencies and can also weaken our immune system.

• Sugary snacks

Sugar is food for all organisms. Hence consuming sugary foods feeds all infectious organisms and creates a favorable environment for their multiplication.

All of these finally highlight the importance of using whole foods, traditional foods in our diet. After the current Covid situation, the choice is ours, whether to invest in our health or ill-health! Check out our immunity booster combo to kickstart your health journey.

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