Diet and the Immune System
Since a certain “pandemic virus” (which we are not allowed to name) hit our shores, most of us have been worried about our immune systems and do what we can to strengthen them, but we often take for granted how our diet here in South Africa can influence our immune system.
So how does the immune system work? Well, the immune system is a complex network that is constantly at work to protect the body from pathogens, bacteria, parasites, and viruses.
The immune system is broken up into two separate lines of defence namely;
1. Innate Immunity
2. Adaptive Immunity
Innate Immunity is the first line of defense in the body, which consists of the skin, cellular and chemical defenses, and mucous membranes. This system is nonspecific because it reacts the same way to all foreign invaders. Nevertheless, if the Innate Immune System is ineffective against a potential threat, then the Adaptive Immune System takes over.
Adaptive Immunity is specialised proteins and blood cells that target and attack the specific cause of the infection. This system has a memory of all the invaders previously fought which is why a person becomes immune to specific illnesses once they have gotten sick and recovered.
For both parts of the immune system to function efficiently they need to be looked after with the correct diet, enough exercise and a good lifestyle of choices.
Can diet influence the Immune System?
A study published by Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) explains how a person’s diet can directly influence their immune system. As an example, Nutrition can affect the microbiome, gut barrier function, inflammatory process, and white blood function, each of these functions impact the immune system directly.
“Western” diets often contain high levels of saturated fats, processed foods, and excessive amounts of added sugars and salts and often exclude, or have exceptionally low quantities, of fatty fish, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Research by Anette Christ, Mario Lauterbach, and Eicke Latz suggests that this type of diet induces chronic metabolic inflammation and in turn alter the immune systems functions.
On the other hand, diets that do not have copious amounts of processed foods and are rich in fresh vegetables, fruit, legumes, seafood, and nuts can in fact reduce the risks of diseases and help boost the immune system. This type of diet coupled with Vitamin D, Zinc and Vitamin C, can boost the immune response to higher-than-normal levels, lowering the risk of infections to almost zero.
Although diets impact immune function, in South Africa there is a lack of constant access to fresh vegetables and fruit resulting in higher risks of infections for the general population. As we enter winter people with lower immune systems are at risk of severe cold and flus as well as leaving themselves more venerable to a certain pandemic virus.
What Diets make for healthy Immune System?
Diets that are rich in vegetables, legumes, nuts, fruits, whole grains, olive oil, and other healthy foods. Research has shown to reduce the risk of disease, lower inflammation boost gut bacteria.
Diets that are high in fibre help promote the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), including acetate, propionate, and butyrate. SCFAs are end products of bacterial fermentation in the gut and have many health benefits. Short-chain fatty acids help to modulate the immune response, they also maintain the health of and improve the immune defensive function of the intestinal epithelium. This is an important part of the immune system that serves as a barrier against microorganisms.
Diets that have high amounts of fruits, vegetables, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish contain high levels of nutrients, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D, B6, B12, Copper, Folate, Iron, and Selenium. These vitamins and minerals are crucial to the optimal function of the Immune System.
To correctly support the Immune System, a person needs to concentrate on following a balanced diet that is rich in nutrient-rich foods, especially vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds. People should also avoid as much processed foods that are high in refined grains and added sugar and salt as possible.
What if you cannot always follow a diet like this?
In today’s fluctuating environment where food stuffs are not always accessible and when they are not rich in vitamins and minerals as they once were, there is still a solution to help your immune system get and stay strong. With the help of alternative medications, such as CAMED Immune Defense, that have all of you daily recommended dosages of the vitamins and minerals that are important to the function of your immune system.
Immune boosters are continually growing in the pharmaceutical market and the choice of purchasing the correct one is becoming ever more difficult. It is advised that a good immune booster should contain the following; Food Grade Vitamin C, Vitamins B1, B2, B3, E, B5, B6, A, D3, B12 as well as Zinc, Folic Acid and Beta Glucans. Immune boosters that contain at the very minimum these above ingredients will not only help build your immune system’s function but will help maintain it.
CAMED Immune Defense has all of these and more, giving you the best chance and protecting you and your family from attacks by viruses, pathogens, and bacteria
But do not take our word for it, get a box and try it for yourself….
Click here to find out more about CAMED Immune Defense
