IMMUNE SYSTEM BOOSTERS - FOODS
Feeding your body with immune system boosting foods helps its natural fighting and resisting powers. Immune boosting foods increase the number of white cells in the blood and immune system.
All foods high in Vitamin C, A, B1, B3, B6, B9 B12 and Vitamins D and E help to boost the body’s immune system, as well as foods high in zinc, copper, magnesium, manganese, iron, beta-carotene, Omega-3 fats and sulphur, carotenoids, bioflavenoids and selenium.
Anti-oxidants and the Immune System
Anti-oxidants are nutrients that minimize the damaging effects of free radicals, which are molecules that cause cellular damage. Anti-oxidants stabilize free radicals, protect the body from free radical damage, and boosts the immune system.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A has excellent anti-oxidant properties, and foods high in Vitamin A helps to rebuild and strengthen the immune system. Foods high in Vitamin A content are: cabbages, broccoli, spinach and al dark green leafy vegetables.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant that empowers the immune system. Vitamin C rich foods increase the immune systems ability to combat bacterial and viral infections. The immune system uses Vitamin C to produce antibodies that are essential in order to fight infections effectively. Foods high in Vitamin C content are: cauliflowers, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, capsicums (bell peppers), brussel sprouts, citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins etc) kiwi fruit, strawberries, blueberries and guava.
Vitamin B Complex
Vitamin B complex includes Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12. These vitamins are potent and powerful immune system boosters. Foods high in Vitamin B Complex are: tuna, avocadoes, brazil nuts, bananas, legumes and oats.
Vitamin E
Foods containing Vitamin E have high antioxidant activity. High Vitamin E content foods are: sunflower oil, walnuts, popcorn and sweet potatoes.
Proteins
Protein helps to support the immune system. Protein rich foods enhance and boost the immune system function and include: tuna, salmon, almonds, peanut butter, skinless chicken breast, eggs, dairy products such as milk and yoghurt.
Minerals
Minerals contribute to boosting the immune system. The two most important minerals are selenium and zinc.
Selenium is found in crab meat and shellfish (crabs, lobsters, oysters) and is also present in whole wheat bread, brown rice, barley, cashew nuts and onions.
Zinc exhibits anti-oxidant properties which promotes proper immune function. Zinc is found in pecan nuts, sunflower seeds, wheat bran and raw peas.
ALMONDS
Almonds contain Vitamin E which is a natural immune system booster.
CAMU CAMU
The Camu Camu fruit has one of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C in comparison to any other food. As Vitamin C assists with the formation of collagen it stimulates the body’s natural defences and the absorption of iron.
BROCCOLI
Broccoli is super-charged with Vitamins and Minerals. It is packed with Vitamins A, C and E and contains numerous anti-oxidants.
GREEN TEA
Green Tea is packed with flavonoids which is a type of anti-oxidant. Green Tea also contains another powerful anti-oxidant called epigallocatechin gallate.
Green Tea is also a good source of the amino acid L-theanine which aids in the production of germ fighting compounds.
HONEY
Honey is rejuvenating, revitalizing and invigorating and contains natural anti-biotic substances, and contains immune boosting compounds.
Honey contains a complex assortment of enzymes, anti-microbial compounds, organic acids, minerals such as iron, phosphorus, copper, sulphur, manganese, magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium, silicon, iodine, zinc, chlorine, formic acid and hydrogen peroxide.
Honey contains Vitamin C, all the Vitamin B complexes, Vitamins D, E and K, pantothenic acid, niacin, folic acid, amino acids, hormones, alcohols and essential oils.
MUSHROOMS - SHITAKE and REISHI
Shitake and Reishi mushrooms are an immune system activating fungi. The body receives nourishment from fungi as the nutrients and medicinal properties of mushrooms penetrate deep into the bone marrow and throughout the entire body.
Shitake and Reishi mushrooms mobilize the immune system to fight off disease. An immuno- stimulant, Shtake mushrooms increase activity of the human immune system against any invading organisms. They have anti-viral and anti-tumour properties and have been used effectively to treat viral infections, parasites and cancer, and one of the most important constituents, ‘lintinan’ has been shown to stimulate immune competent cells, stimulates T-cell production and increases macrophage activity.
RED CAPSICUM - RED BELL PEPPERS
Red Capsicums (or Red bell Peppers) contain high amounts of Vitamin C and beta-carotene, making them an ideal immune boosting food.
ROYAL JELLY
Royal Jelly is a natural food concentrate that stimulates the body and cellular activity. Royal Jelly is beneficial to the immune system due to the protein content of biological values in Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, B12 and Vitamins A, C, D, E and M. it also contains a series of minerals such as Calcium, Copper, Sulfur, iron, Phosphorus, Potassium and Silicon.
Royal Jelly is a nutritious tonic that stimulates the functioning of the endocrine glands and the immune system. It contains anti-bacterial compouns the stimulate the production of anti-bodies which enhances collagen production and the repair of damaged tissues. Royal Jelly also increases the flow of blood to the tissues.
SPINACH
Spinach is rich in Vitamin C and is packed with numerous anti-oxidants and beta-carotene, which increases the infection-fighting cells of the body’s immune system.
YOGHURT
Yoghurts with live and active cultures stimulate the immune system.
