Germs and viruses are always around for people to pick up. To lower your risk of infection, wash your hands often, use hand sanitizers, keep your surroundings clean, get a flu shot and do not sharing drinks. Good hygiene isn’t the only way to keep away sickness. If you focus on building a better immune system in your diet, your body will be on guard to fight off any sickness that comes its way.
Particular foods are known to keep your immune system strong. Your daily diet should be well rounded. Do yourself and immune system a favor by adding the following foods into your diet daily.
Oysters – Oysters contain zinc, which has virus-fighting power to it. Zinc helps activate white blood cells. It also helps with healing wounds. Oysters also contain selenium, which helps white blood cells produce cytokines (proteins) that clear viruses out of the body.
Spinach – Spinach, which is full of folate, which helps the body make new cells and repair DNA.
Yogurt – Yogurt comes with probiotics (live, active cultures) which are healthy bacteria that keep the gut and intestines free from the attack of germs .
Tea – Whether you prefer green, white, or black, tea is filled with polyphenols and flavonoids, which are known to fight off diseases. They are antioxidants that target cell-damaging free radicals and destroy them.
Sweet potatoes and carrots – These vegetables contain beta-carotene, which turns into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A gets rid of free radicals in the body and gives a boost to the immune system.
Broccoli – Broccoli is filled with vitamins A and C, along with antioxidants like glutathione, which all protect the body.
Citrus fruits – Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, limes, clementines, and tangerines are loaded with vitamin C, which fight infections by increasing the production of white blood cells in the body.
Other immunity-boosting foods: Red bell peppers, mushrooms, garlic, ginger, almonds, poultry, kiwi, shellfish, and turmeric.
Food can be your medicine. With a diet rich in nutrient-dense food, you can build a stronger immune system so that you find yourself getting sick less. If you need help with creating yourself a proper diet, contact Dr. Kordonowy of Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness in Fort Myers for a nutrition consultation. To book an appointment, call 239-362-3005, Ext. 200 or click here.