Summer is coming! You’re likely planning trips to some great destinations, family gatherings, weddings and more.
Imagine for a moment, how that vacation could be improved by being in great health, or ruined if you became ill and were confined to the inside of a vacation cottage, hotel, cruise ship cabin or…worst scenario…a small tent!!? Even if you’re in perfect health, how will it affect your vacation if your partner or child is sick and cabin-bound? What if you were sick on your wedding day…or the wedding day of your child or best friend?
This week’s feature article will help you and your family have more good health days and fewer sick days during your vacations this Summer. The key is strengthening your immune system.
How to Boost (or weaken) Your Immune System
Adequately feeding your immune system boosts its fighting power. Here are the top eight nutrients to add to your family’s diet to help avoid a summer vacation ruined by illness this year! Following the immune system boosters, read on to see 4 immune system weakeners.
Top 8 Immune System Boosters
1) Vitamin C:
Vitamin C tops the list of immune boosters for many reasons. Vitamin C increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies and increases levels of interferon, the antibody that coats cell surfaces, preventing the entry of viruses. Vitamin C reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by raising levels of HDL (good) cholesterol while lowering blood pressure and interfering with the process by which fat is converted to plaque in the arteries. As an added perk, persons whose diets are higher in vitamin C have lower rates of colon, prostate, and breast cancer. If you take vitamin C supplements, it’s best to space them throughout the day rather than take one large dose, most of which may end up being excreted in the urine.
Here are the “Top Ten Fruits” for fiber and vitamin C:
- Avocado
- Papaya
- Guava
- Cantaloupe
- Orange
- Apricots (dried, unsulfured)
- Mango
- Strawberries (organic)
- Kiwi
- Grapefruit (pink or red)
2) Vitamin E:
Vitamin E stimulates the production of natural killer cells, those that seek out and destroy germs and cancer cells. Vitamin E enhances the production of B-cells, the immune cells that produce antibodies that destroy bacteria.
Top 8 Immune System Boosters
1) Vitamin C:
Vitamin C tops the list of immune boosters for many reasons. Vitamin C increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies and increases levels of interferon, the antibody that coats cell surfaces, preventing the entry of viruses. Vitamin C reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by raising levels of HDL (good) cholesterol while lowering blood pressure and interfering with the process by which fat is converted to plaque in the arteries. As an added perk, persons whose diets are higher in vitamin C have lower rates of colon, prostate, and breast cancer. If you take vitamin C supplements, it’s best to space them throughout the day rather than take one large dose, most of which may end up being excreted in the urine.
- Avocado
- Papaya
- Guava
- Cantaloupe
- Orange
- Apricots (dried, unsulfured)
- Mango
- Strawberries (organic)
- Kiwi
- Grapefruit (pink or red)
Vitamin E stimulates the production of natural killer cells, those that seek out and destroy germs and cancer cells. Vitamin E enhances the production of B-cells, the immune cells that produce antibodies that destroy bacteria.
3) Carotenoids:
Beta carotene increases the number of infection-fighting cells, natural killer cells, and helper T-cells, as well as being a powerful antioxidant that mops up excess free radicals that accelerate aging.
4) Bioflavenoids:
4) Bioflavenoids:
A group of phytonutrients called bioflavenoids aids the immune system by protecting the cells of the body against environmental pollutants. A diet that contains a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, at least six servings per day, will help you get the bioflavenoids needed to help your immune system work in top form.
5) Zinc:
This valuable mineral increases the production of white blood cells that fight infection and helps them fight more aggressively. It also increases killer cells that fight against cancer and helps white cells release more antibodies. Zinc supplements have been shown to slow the growth of cancer.
6) Garlic:
This powerful immune booster stimulates the multiplication of infection-fighting white cells, boosts natural killer cell activity, and increases the efficiency of antibody production.
7) Selenium:
This mineral increases natural killer cells and mobilizes cancer-fighting cells. Best food sources of selenium are tuna, red snapper, lobster, shrimp, whole grains, vegetables (depending on the selenium content of the soil they’re grown in), brown rice, egg yolks, cottage cheese, chicken (white meat), sunflower seeds, garlic, Brazil nuts, and lamb chops.
Omega-3 fatty acids:
Omega-3 fatty acids:
A study found that children taking a half teaspoon of flax oil a day experienced fewer and less severe respiratory infections and fewer days of being absent from school. The omega 3 fatty acids in flax oil and fatty fish (such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel) act as immune boosters by increasing the activity of phagocytes, the white blood cells that eat up bacteria.
4 Habits that Weaken Your Immune System
Certain foods and environmental influences can keep the immune system from doing a good job. Watch out for these threats to your body’s defenses.
1) Overdosing on sugar:
Eating or drinking 100 grams (8 tbsp.) of sugar, the equivalent of about two cans of soda, can reduce the ability of white blood cells to kill germs by forty percent.
2) Excess alcohol:
Excessive alcohol intake can harm the body’s immune system in two ways. First, it produces an overall nutritional deficiency, depriving the body of valuable immune- boosting nutrients. Second, alcohol, like sugar, consumed in excess can reduce the ability of white cells to kill germs.
3) Food allergens:
Due to a genetic quirk, your immune system may recognize an otherwise harmless substance (such as milk) as a foreign invader and attack it, causing an allergic reaction. After many encounters with food allergens, the wall is damaged, enabling invaders and other potentially toxic substances in the food to get into the bloodstream and make the body feel miserable. This condition is known as the leaky gut syndrome.
4) Too much fat:
Obesity can lead to a depressed immune system. It can affect the ability of white blood cells to multiply, produce antibodies, and rush to the site of an infection.
Give Your Immune System a Boost with the #1 Booster!
Complex C by Mega Food is 100% whole food vitamin C provides an array of immune supportive compounds for life. MegaFood Complex C contains 100% whole food vitamin C from our FoodState whole orange concentrate helps maintain an already healthy inflammatory response and supports immune health.
100% whole food vitamin C provides an array of immune supportive compounds for life. MegaFood Complex C contains 100% whole food vitamin C from our FoodState whole orange concentrate helps maintain an already healthy inflammatory response and supports immune health.
- 100% Whole Food Nutrients
- Certified organic bioflavonoid complex promotes cellular & tissue health
- Full spectrum of age-defying antioxidants from colorful whole foods
- Naturally buffered and gentle on the stomach
- Vegan Formula
- Tested FREE of pesticides, herbicides, gluten, dairy and soy
Complex C by Mega Food is 100% whole food vitamin C provides an array of immune supportive compounds for life. MegaFood Complex C contains 100% whole food vitamin C from our FoodState whole orange concentrate helps maintain an already healthy inflammatory response and supports immune health.
- 100% Whole Food Nutrients
- Certified organic bioflavonoid complex promotes cellular & tissue health
- Full spectrum of age-defying antioxidants from colorful whole foods
- Naturally buffered and gentle on the stomach
- Vegan Formula
- Tested FREE of pesticides, herbicides, gluten, dairy and soy
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