How to Increase Immunity? | Food to Increase Immunity

How to Increase Immunity – Introduction

How to Increase Immunity: Before the Covid virus, our life was pretty much going at a very fast pace. Everyone was busy in achieving something or the other. We all were busy paying more attention to the outer world than our own self. However, even after being ignorant, the self was busy keeping us uptight and working. Just like a warrior in shining armour our immune system has been protecting us. Working quietly in the background, our immune system protects us from bacteria, viruses and other microbes and, when treated right, wards off disease.

This pandemic came as an eye-opener, making us realize how important it is to protect our immune system.  When the virus attacked, people with the weak immune system were the ones who bowed down first. It was then people started realizing the need to live a healthy lifestyle. Many people became prey to this Corona monster. Whether it be a newborn or an elderly ageing 60, if they have strong immunity, they can survive this deadly wave. So before moving ahead let’s know more about this magical thing that is IMMUNITY…

WHAT IS IMMUNITY?

Immunity is the ability of the body to defend itself from ‘foreign bodies’. This means rejecting infections, clearing up dust which gets in the lungs and killing cancer cells. Vaccination builds on the natural immune system to make a person resist certain diseases. It defends our body from invaders like viruses, bacteria and foreign bodies.

There are two types of immunity: –

• Active immunity– it is created by our own immune system when we are exposed to a potential disease-causing agent.
• Passive immunity- immunity that we gain apart from the one that we obtain from our immune system. Occur in a few ways and can be life-saving. However, passive immunity is short-lived because the antibodies are not continuously replenished.

DEVELOPMENT OF OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM / INCREASE IMMUNITY

Our immune system starts developing from the beginning itself. That is from the time when we are there in our mother’s womb. The initial stage of the baby i.e. fetus the immune tissues starts developing. There is a layer of protein which strengthens the fetus to sustain in the womb’s environment. Therefore, we realize that before even taking birth into this world the immune system plays a major role for us to take birth.

Also, we have heard some infants have diseases even before they are born. That’s because their immune system is weak by birth to fight diseases.

However, we should take some steps in our daily life to build up our immune system.

WHAT IS A WEAK IMMUNE SYSTEM?

The immune system protects the body from infection. A person with a weak immune system may be more prone to frequent infections. White blood cells, antibodies, and other components, including organs and lymph nodes, make up the body’s immune system.

Many disorders can weaken the immune system and cause a person to become compromised. These disorders can range from mild to severe. Some are present from birth, while others result from environmental factors.

Results of the weak immune system.

Disease like….

• HIV

–HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases

• certain types of cancer

–A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues

• malnutrition

–lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right things, or being unable to use the food that one does eat.

• viral hepatitis

 —an infection that causes liver inflammation and damage.

People with a weak immune system have a higher risk of experiencing frequent infections and severe symptoms.

They may be more prone to pneumonia and other conditions. Bacteria and viruses, including the virus that causes the infection COVID-19, can have a devastating effect on a person with a compromised immune system.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A WEAK IMMUNE SYSTEM

The primary symptom of a weakened immune system is susceptibility to infection. A person with a weakened immune system is likely to get infections more frequently than most other people. These illnesses might be more severe or harder to treat. These individuals may also find themselves dealing with an infection that a person with a stronger immune system would not get.

Infections that people with a weak immune system often get include:

• pneumonia
• meningitis
• bronchitis
• skin infections

These infections may recur with a high frequency.

People with a weak immune system may also be more likely to experience:

• autoimmune disorders
• inflammation of the internal organs
• blood disorders or abnormalities, such as anaemia
• digestive issues, including loss of appetite, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramping
• growth and developmental delays, in infants and children

A doctor can do a baseline blood test to identify whether a person has a weak immune system. The test will show whether a person has antibodies in the normal range.

STEPS HOW TO INCREASE IMMUNITY

✓ Do 50 jumping jacks (Twice a day).

Intense physical activity affects cell messaging pathways that control hormone secretion in the bloodstream, cellular ageing and tissue inflammation. Exercise produces hormones that tell the body to roll back time and stronger and healthier.

✓ Take a 2- minute active break (Every hour throughout the day).

Take a break, go for a walk. It provides instant relief from pressure that allows your body and mind to recharge.

✓ Drink a glass of water (First thing in the morning)

Water helps to carry oxygen to your body cells, which results in properly functioning systems. It also works in removing toxins from the body that can impair its physiology.

✓ Do YOGA every day.

Read about the Importance of YOGA & Benefits of Yoga Asanas.

WAYS TO STRENGTHEN ONE’S IMMUNE SYSTEM NATURALLY

4 ways to strengthen your immune system naturally:

1.  Drinking plenty of water
2.  Avoid smoking and intake of alcohol
3.  Good diet as Your immune system is also directly affected by the food you eat.
4.  Good sleep -Proper rest and sound sleep can perform miracles on your mind and body.

Food to Increase Immunity

Food to Increase Immunity:

✓ High zinc foods

• meat
• nuts and seeds

✓ Probiotics

• yoghurt
• kefir

✓ Healing spices

• turmeric
• cinnamon
• ginger

✓ Vitamin C foods

• kiwi
• citrus fruits
• cauliflower
• broccoli

✓ Boosters

• garlic
• mushrooms
• local Honey

✓ Liquids

• green tea
• water
• vinegar

BEST FOODS TO INCLUDE DAILY IN YOUR MEALS TO INCREASE IMMUNITY

GARLIC– eat raw to get the most benefit! peel finely and swallow with water like pills.

MUSHROOMS- they are shown to boost immunity and fight viruses.

YOGURT- it contains probiotics that help fight viral infections.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR- this vinegar has shown to have antiviral properties.

BROCCOLI – it contains more vitamin c.

NUTRIENTS THAT OUR BODY REQUIRES THE MOST TO INCREASE IMMUNITY

• VITAMIN B6
• VITAMIN B12
• FOLATE
• VITAMIN D3
• CALCIUM
• IRON
• Above Nutrients should be taken into the right quantities either in your meals or as supplements. As deficiency of either of these nutrients leads to triggering of many diseases.

Now I will talk about a MORNING MIRACLE- APPLE CIDER VINEGAR MORNING SHOT

Check out Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar.

6 easy-peasy ingredients that pack a powerful punch

• Warm water
• ½ lemon
• 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• A dash of cinnamon

Mix, sip and have a magical morning!

PRO TIP-

Every morning we should drink a cup of turmeric tea.

BENEFITS

•  Brain protector
•  Improves digestion
•  Prevents respiratory disease
•  Promotes the reduction of fat
•  Reduces bad cholesterol

INGREDIENTS

•  ½ cup of water
•  add ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder
•  ½ cup of coconut milk
•  1 tbsp of honey
•  1tbsp coconut oil
• Boil the water and add turmeric powder to it. Boil it at a low temperature for 10-12 minutes. Add coconut oil, coconut milk, and honey. Drink this sip by sip.

Concluding it, I would like to say that it is very important to focus on How to Increase Immunity & stay healthy because before achieving your dreams and a beautiful lifestyle, you should achieve a healthier self because a healthy self will not only support you but will stand by you always. By nurturing and taking care of our immunity system, we are making ourselves strong from both, visible and invisible enemies. I mentioned my way of supporting my immunity above. Hoping that you will like it and looking forward to hearing from you people. Your ways of doing your bit for your internal self. …