Maintaining the Body's Immune System

Get more vitamin C - Fruits and vegetables are great sources, including berries, citrus, bell peppers and dark green vegetables. Adding spices like garlic, ginger and turmeric to your diet can help boost your immune system.

Dose up on vitamins and minerals like Iron, zinc and vitamin C which are also key to a healthy immune system. But before popping supplements, boost your dietary intake of these substances. Look for dark, leafy greens and red and yellow vegetables, which are all high in antioxidants.

Eat well! Keep your immune system in shape by making sure you're eating a healthy diet. For your body to be able to respond to infection, it needs to have enough protein, so enjoy lean meat, fish and poultry.

Get some good bacteria - 80% of your immune system is located in the digestive tract, so gut health is important to keeping a strong immune system. Probiotics are good bacteria to add to your diet through fermented foods, such as raw sauerkraut, miso, yogurt, kefir or kimchi, or you can take probiotics in supplement form.

The immune system and the inflammatory response. Many experts now see inflammation as arising from an immune system response that's out of control. When you catch a cold or sprain your ankle, your immune system switches into gear. Infection or injury trigger a chain of events called the inflammatory cascade.

You want to ensure you are doing all you can to protect against chronic inflammation, which can compromise your immune system. You will find omega-3 fats in nuts and seeds and also cold-water fish (like salmon, tuna, halibut and cod) and grass-fed proteins, such as grass-fed beef. Be mindful of plant-based options-the vast majority of your diet ought to be plant-based and comprised of fresh produce.

Consume immunity-boosting foods - As the weather gets colder and flu season starts, it's important for your immune system to be in tip-top shape. Eating healthy foods with vitamin C (like limes, oranges, and clementine) are key to fighting off infections. Garlic, ginger, spinach, and almonds are also big winners when it comes to boosting your health and immunity.

2 UR Health!