What is Immune System?
The body must contend with constant attacks by microscopic organisms. In order
to defend against this onslaught, it deploys a wide range of defenses that
together are called the immune system.
Build a Healthy Immune System
One of the benefits of a healthy diet is a healthy gastrointestinal tract. If
the digestive tract is weakened by inflammation from allergies or inflammatory
bowel disease or other digestive disorders, even the nutrients in a healthy diet
are harder to process and absorb. Healing and maintaining the digestive tract is
vital to overall health and immunity. Digestive enzymes, probiotics and
essential fatty acids all play a role in gastrointestinal health and proper
digestion.
Exercise must also be mentioned for its role in helping build and maintain a
strong immune system. Moderate exercise has been shown to improve immune factors
in humans and animals.
How does Immune system work?
Antioxidants
Antioxidants help prevent oxidation, help increase immune function, and possibly
decrease the risk of infection and cancer. Antioxidants exist as vitamins,
minerals and other compounds in foods. They act as scavengers, helping to
prevent cell and tissue damage by destroying free radicals. Free radicals are
highly reactive molecules and fragments of molecules that can damage the body at
the cellular level, leaving the body susceptible to cancer, heart disease, and
many other degenerative diseases.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin needed for the growth and repair of tissues
in all parts of the body. One of many antioxidants, vitamin C may block some of
the damage caused by free radicals, which can contribute to the development of
various health problems. Antioxidants also help reduce the damage to the body
caused by toxic chemicals and pollutants such as cigarette smoke. The body does
not manufacture vitamin C on its own, nor does it store it. That's why it's
important to include plenty of vitamin C in your daily diet. Large amounts of
vitamin C are used by the body during any kind of healing process, whether it's
from an infection, disease, injury, or surgery. In these cases extra vitamin C
may be needed.
Zinc
Zinc is an essential trace mineral, which means that it must be obtained from
your diet since the body cannot make enough. Zinc plays an important role in the
immune system, which could explain why it helps to protect against infections
such as colds. Like vitamin C, Zinc also has some antioxidant properties, which
means that it helps protect cells in the body from the potential damage caused
by free radicals. People who are zinc deficient tend to be more susceptible to a
variety of infections. Zinc supplementation enhances immune system activity and
protects against a range of infections including colds and upper respiratory
infections (such as bronchitis). Several important studies show that zinc
reduces the intensity of the symptoms associated with a cold (particularly a
cough) and the length of time that a cold lingers.
|
