7 Foods for Immune System Support – Part 1 (Read Part 2 here)
There are many factors that can weaken our immune system, including lack of sleep, body temperature, stress, and travel. Perhaps the most crucial, however, is our diet. What we eat can affect our susceptibility to illness in a big way. Steering clear of foods that will deplete our immune system and feeding ourselves supportive nutrients ensures a healthy body and a happy mind! Prevention is essential, however there are certain nutrients we can have when weβre already suffering from symptoms.
Drinking a simple tea of sliced lemon, ginger, garlic, and a sprinkle of cayenne can warm and nourish the body, helping it fight off germs and viruses naturally. The following foods will boost our immune systems and can be really beneficial when we’re feeling weak and vulnerable to illness.
One
Garlic – a very powerful antibacterial and anti-fungal food; a clove’s true potential is unleashed when it is crushed
Two
Turmeric – this beautiful yellow root contains the antioxidant known as curcumin, which is known to promote overall health and reduce inflammation
Three
Ginger – also a powerful antioxidant, but also antimicrobial and anti-bacterial, killing viruses and colds and breaking up congestion
Four
Leafy greens – packed full of B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin K, and plenty of
minerals (most importantly, iron), dark leafy greens such as kale and spinach are certainly helpful to the immune system
Five
Apple cider vinegar – particularly wonderful for throat infections, raw apple cider vinegar is very high in vitamins, minerals and trace elements, and is great for detoxification and inhibits infections and viruses from growing
Six
Honey & propolis – propolis is a substance that bees make to protect their hive which is extremely high in antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is found naturally in honey
Seven
Citrus – due to their very high vitamin C content, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice or a slice of lemon in your morning tea will boost that powerful nutrient’s intake
If you like this post, part 2 is coming next friday with 7 more foods which can boost the immune system.
This is a guest post by local Holistic Nutritionist Molly Robson. Molly lives and practices nutrition in Barnes, see her on Particular Nutrition and writes a weekly food blog called The ParticularKitchen. She also runs workshops and cooking demonstrations, most recently at the Free From Food Festival at the Southbank Centre. Molly is a professional member of the FNTP.
She’ll be running a workshop which we are very happy to be hosting in January 2012 at the clinic. more details to come…
