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Putting the wrong gasoline in a vehicle is a lot like putting the wrong food in your body. Using lower octane fuel in a car that calls for premium can cause some serious internal damage to the engine long term and in the short-term can cause “spark knock”– a high-pitched pinging or rattling noise, reduced performance and poor fuel economy.
Using the wrong foods for your body long-term can cause some serious internal damage and immunity issues like Leaky Gut Syndrome, Irritable bowel Syndrome (IBS), Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) and Crohn’s Disease, just to name a few. Short-term, the wrong foods can cause unpleasant effects like bloating, skin reactions and lethargy. Since your immune system lives in your gut, let’s focus on what can positively fuel your immune system.
If the thought of a complete nutritional overhaul is daunting, start with baby steps by focusing on five nutrients that support your immune system. From there you can search more broadly for foods that contain those nutrients.
Some of the top nutrients that support your immune system are Vitamin A, which contributes to the growth and development of immune cells; Vitamin C, that supports immune cells against oxidative damage by neutralizing free radicals; Vitamin D, which has receptors in almost all immune system cells and regulates and enhances the immune response and is involved in immune cell function; Vitamin E, which helps improve the activity and reproduction of some immune cells and Zinc, a mineral that the immune system relies heavily on for normal development and function of immune cells.
Here are some foods and activities that contain these nutrients:
The best way to approach your health is to take a step back, look at yourself as an engine and ask yourself “what kind of fuel will allow this engine to perform at its maximum performance level” and then you will be on the right track to a healthier immune system for overall optimal performance.
Select premium ingredients containing vital nutrients from whole foods, and your internal engine will be humming along like a well-oiled machine.
This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.
About American College of Healthcare Sciences