Posted on September 19, 2008 in Latest News
Fever, cold and cough, headaches, upset stomach, etc. are some of the common ailments everyone suffers with. It is observed that the incidence rates of these diseases are increasing day-by-day. Besides these common ailments the incidence rate of other diseases like cancer, stroke, etc are also increasing. Now the question arises is: what are the reasons for this increase?
Weak Immune System could be one of the possible reasons for the increasing incidence rate of various diseases and ailments. With the fast and ever changing life-style it is seen that people seldom take proper care of themselves, hence resulting in poor immune system. With the help of few small changes in your diet and habits you can give a boost to your immune system easily.
Anti-oxidants play an important role in boosting up the immune system. It is observed that fruits and vegetables are the best source of anti-oxidants. Listed below are top 10 foods which will give your immune system a fresh and healthy boost:
- Green Leafy Vegetables: It is observed that besides boosting your immune system diet rich in green leafy vegetables protects you from the risk of gastric cancer, cataract, stroke and heart attack. Include spinach, collard greens, kale, romaine lettuce and beet greens in your diet.
- Cruciferous Vegetables: Members of cruciferous family increases detoxification enzymes in your body as well as reduces the risk of cancer development. Besides this they also provide you calcium, Vitamin A and foliate and also protect you from stroke. Members of cruciferous family include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprout.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes are rich source of lycopene, a potent antioxidant. This lycopene is essential for regulating blood pressure and healthy bones. Lycopene also reduces the cell damage caused by free radicals and guards you against cancer and heart diseases.
- Orange Vegetables: Orange colored vegetables are good source of Vitamin A and include carrots, squash, pumpkins and sweet potatoes. Besides Vitamin A these vegetables contains beta carotene a powerful antioxidant hence making your immune system strong and healthy. These vegetables also improve your vision.
- Garlic and Onions: Vegetables like onions, garlic, leeks and chives are necessary for immune system because they are rich source of Vitamin C, potassium, chromium and selenium. These vegetables guard you from the diseases like diabetes, arthritis, heart diseases and certain forms of cancer.
- Soy and Legumes: Various types of legumes and soy are high in protein and low in fat content. They protect you from the risk of prostrate cancer and heart diseases. This group includes tofu, black beans, split peas and soybeans.
- Whole Grains: This group mainly includes whole wheat, wheat berries, oatmeal and brown rice. These foods improve your immunity and protect you from the risk of heart disease and diabetes and reduce inflammation.
- Berries: All sort of berries like blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, cranberries and raspberries are included in this group. They are essential for building your immune system as they are rich in Vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber. Eating berries protects you from the risk of macular degeneration, brain cell loss and various types of cancer.
- Citrus Fruits: All citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, grapefruits and tangerine guard you from the risk of skin cancer. These fruits give a boost to your immune system by removing all the toxic substance from your body. They also protect you from stroke and cancer.
- Seafood and Fish: Seafood and fish are rich source of omega-3 fish oil. Try and include salmon, shrimp, sardines, haddock, char and rainbow trout in your diet. Omega-3 fish oil lowers the risk of blood pressure and heart diseases and also protects your brain.
All the above mentioned foods are rich source of antioxidants, vitamins and various minerals. These elements reduce the free radicals in your body which are mainly responsible for weak immune system, premature aging and other diseases. Hence it is advisable to include at least some part of the above mentioned foods in your daily diet.
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