Foods to Boost Your Immunity

[Guest guest]

Good Morning!

 

Foods to Boost Your Immunity

 

Food used as a preventative to dis-ease and as an essential part of

medicine has been established for over 4000 years by physicians of

natural medicine. Food is a major determinant of health that is

directly under our control. We cannot always control pollution,

hereditary factors, noise, environment, and the social and emotional

behaviors of others, but we can certainly choose what and what not to

eat.

 

I hope that you will pay attention to the principles of food medicine

and incorporate this natural and powerful healing component into

daily living, because anything we do three times a day will have an

effect on our body!

 

 

Acidophilus - The normal, healthy colon contains " friendly " bacteria

(85% lactobacillus and 15% coliform bacteria). It is the friendly

bacterial flora found in yogurt and is essential to the digestive

system. When these bacteria are not in balance, then the person may

experience bloating, flatulence, constipation, and malabsorption of

nutrients. Acidophilus taken as a dietary supplement may help to

detoxify and to rebuild a balanced intestinal flora. It is used for

the prevention of Candida as well as for treatment. Acidophilus aids

the digestion and helps to replace the " friendly " intestinal flora.

 

 

Apsaragus - Asparagus is spring's most luxurious vegetable. It was once

cultivated for medicinal purposes as a natural remedy for blood cleansing and

diuretic properties. Asparagus is rich in immunity-enhancing antioxidants and

vitamins. Asparagus can be processed into juice and other products to increase

total utilization and increase net value. Asparagus juice contains antioxidants,

such as rutin, ferulic acid and ascorbic acid. When buying asparagus look for

compact tips and smooth green stems that are uniform in color down the length of

the stem. Check the cut stem end for drying and avoid withered spears. Asparagus

is low in calories and provides substantial amounts of antioxidants - Vitamins A

and C. It truly shines as a source of folate and has a goodly amount of fiber.

 

 

Black and Green Tea - For years, studies have indicated that the

antioxidants in green tea offer protection against diseases,

including cancer, and even fight dental cavities. One of the most

beneficial of these antioxidants is called epigallocatechin gallate

(EGCG). According to the University of California Wellness Letter,

Mar 2002, regular black tea is turning out to be just as healthful as

green tea. The evidence for tea's health effects comes mainly from

lab studies, though some human studies point to possible benefits in

preventing heart disease and cancer. EGCG, inhibited an enzyme that

cancer cells need in order to grow. The cancer cells that couldn't

grow big enough to divide self-destructed. It would take about 4-10

cups of green tea a day to get the blood levels of EGCG that

inhibited cancer in the study. Black tea also contains EGCG, but at

lower concentrations.

 

 

Blackberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries - Antioxidant compounds

found in blueberries, sweet cherries, strawberries and blackberries may fight

arterial disease by preventing the oxidation of LDL (''bad'') cholesterol,

according to a team of researchers at the University of California, Davis. In

studies conducted at the University, Dr. I. Marina Heinonen, a visiting

scientist from the University of Helsinki in Finland, and colleagues extracted

antioxidant compounds from blackberries, red raspberries, sweet cherries,

blueberries and strawberries. In a series of experiments in laboratory culture

dishes, they found that blackberries and Blueberries are of particular interest

because of their high antioxidant capacity. They had the most antioxidant

activity in one experiment and sweet cherries in another.

 

 

Broccoli - Broccoli is known as the " Crown Jewel of Nutrition " for its

vitamin-rich, high in fiber, and low in calorie properties. Not only does

broccoli give you the best vegetable nutrition available, it also gives you many

ways to lead a healthier, longer life. Heart disease is the number one cause of

death in the United States with cancer as the second, and broccoli gives you

many ways to help fight and prevent these and other diseases. Broccoli has

multiple cancer-fighting properties including vitamin C, beta carotene, and

fiber. It is also rich of phytochemicals which appear to offer us protection

against certain cancers and heart disease. Indole carbinol and sulforaphane are

two different phytochemicals that are found in broccoli.

 

 

 

Carotenoids - of which beta-carotenes are the most popular, are found

in many fruits and vegetables, animals, plants and microorganisms.

The body converts beta carotene into Vitamin A. Vitamin A is a fat-

soluble vitamin essential for vision, growth, cell division,

reproduction and immunity. Among the 600 or more carotenoids in

foods, beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein are well-known leaders in

the fight to reduce the damage from free radicals.

 

 

 

Citrus Fruits - Hundreds of studies have been conducted on the

nutrients found in citrus fruit, including orange juice, and the role

these nutrients play in reducing the risk of such diseases as cancer

and heart disease, when part of a low fat diet rich in fruits and

vegetables. Citrus fruit, which contain essential vitamins and

minerals, are an important part of a healthy diet for all men, women

and children. In both fresh and juice form, citrus - including

oranges, grapefruit and specialty varieties such a temple oranges,

tangerines and tangelos - have many important nutritional benefits.

 

 

 

Ginger - Warming and antiseptic to the viscera, ginger is used for deficient

cold, digestive weakness, diarrhea, anorexia, vomiting and indigestion. Slice

6-8 pieces of fresh ginger and boil in 2 cups of water. Let this aromatic tea

brew for 15 minutes and drink two-three cups a day.

 

 

 

Onion - An important immune booster, diaphoretic and lubricant for muscles,

onions are rich in sulfur compounds called Thiosulfinates. They are

anti-inflammatory and contain Vitamin C, Quercetin and a powerful antioxidant.

 

 

 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids - The omega 3 fatty acids in flax oil and fatty fish (such

as salmon, tuna, and mackerel) act as immune boosters by increasing the activity

of white blood cells, which consume bacteria. Essential fatty acids also protect

the body against damage from over-reactions to infection. Take essential fatty

acid supplements, such as flax or fish oil and add additional vitamin E, which

works in synergy with essential fatty acids to boost the immune system. An easy

way to get your daily dose is to add one to three teaspoons of flax oil to a

fruit and yogurt smoothies.

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit

[Guest guest]

Andrew, Thanks so much for the list!

Great timing during the cold and flu season.

 

yogiguruji <yogiguruji wrote:

Good Morning!

 

Foods to Boost Your Immunity