Getting sick is a bummer, and unfortunately, even the healthiest of people can catch a bug. No matter the time of year, germs and viruses are out there for people to pick up. Techniques for lowering your risk of infection include: washing your hands often, using hand sanitizers, keeping your surroundings clean, getting a flu shot and not sharing drinks. Good hygiene isn’t the only way to ward off sickness. If you focus on building a better immune system through your diet, your body will be on guard to fight off anything that comes its way.
Certain foods are known to keep your immune system strong. Your daily diet should be well rounded so your body is receiving many different nutrients to fight off sickness. Do yourself and immune system a favor by adding the following foods into your diet regularly.
Oysters – Oysters contain zinc, which has virus-fighting power to it. Zinc helps activate white blood cells involved in the immune response. It also helps with healing wounds. Being a shellfish, an oyster also contains selenium, which helps white blood cells produce cytokines (proteins) that clear viruses out of the body.
Watermelon – Watermelon is loaded with the antioxidant glutathione, which strengthens the immune system.
Yogurt – Yogurt is filled with probiotics (live, active cultures) which are healthy bacteria that keep the gut and intestines free from the attack of germs that cause diseases.
Spinach – Spinach has folate in it, which helps the body make new cells and repair DNA.
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 packed with nutrients and vitamins A and C, along with antioxidants like glutathione, which all protect the body and boost a person’s immunity.
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, garlic, ginger, turmeric, almonds, poultry, kiwi, shellfish, mushrooms.
Instead of turning to the drug aisle at the store, food can be your medicine. With a diet that is rich in nutrient-dense food, you can help build a stronger immune system so that you find yourself getting sick less and less, or at least for shorter durations. If you need help with creating yourself a proper diet or believe your immune system is weak, 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.
