How to Boost Your Immune System

What helps us fight best? What helps us prevent ourselves from deadly virus attacks? What helps us cure ourselves in case of emergencies? The one solution everyone should look at is "Boosting one's Immunity". What is immunity? Immunity can generally be defined as the ability of an organism to resist a particular infection/toxin by the action of specific antibodies or sensitized white blood cells. What are ways to strengthen one's immunity? Immunity is an aggregation of important mental, physical, emotional aspects. One needs to strike the right balance between these three aspects to stay fit and firm in health, during the thick and thin of life. Mental & emotional immunity is fighting your fears and strengthening your positive approach to life. Replacing the negativity with positive affirmations like "Oh my god, there's a lock down" with "This is for a brighter future and we shall get through this".

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Make space for good thoughts, spend time with family and surround yourself with people who make you less anxious and more comfortable. Spend time with yourself, your passionate hobbies and work big on your dreams. Eat good food, clean and healthy foods keep your gut and body healthy and functioning. Speaking of good foods, here are nutrition rich immunity boosters to boost your physical immunity.

How to Boost Your Immune System

1. Citrus fruits

Vitamin C helps build up your immune system. It is thought to increase the production of white blood cells which are the key to fighting infections.

·         Citrus fruits include:

·         Grapefruit

·         Oranges

·         Tangerines

·         Lemons

·         Limes

·         Clementines

2. Red bell peppers

Red bell peppers contain twice as much vitamin C as citrus. Along with boosting your immune system, vitamin C helps maintain healthy skin. The help keep your eyes and skin healthy.

3. Broccoli

Broccoli is full of vitamins and minerals. Comes with vitamins A, C, and E, and other antioxidants and fibre, broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables you can put on your table.

4. Garlic

It's a must-have for your health. Garlic helps lower blood pressure and slow down hardening of the arteries. Garlic’s immune-boosting properties come from a heavy concentration of sulphur-containing compounds.

5. Ginger

Ginger is another ingredient you will rightly turn to after getting sick. Ginger helps decrease inflammation, which helps in reducing a sore throat and other inflammatory illnesses. Ginger also helps in decreasing nausea.

Ginger is also known to help decrease chronic pain and may possess cholesterol-lowering properties.

6. Spinach

Rich in vitamin C, packed with numerous antioxidants and beta carotene, which increases the infection-fighting ability of the immune systems. Spinach is healthiest when it’s cooked as little as possible helping it retain its nutrients.

7. Yogurt

Stimulates your immune system to help fight diseases. You can sweeten plain yogurt with healthy fruits and a drizzle of honey instead of artificial sugars and other pre- flavoured means.

A great source of vitamin D. Helps regulate the immune system and is thought to boost the body’s natural defences against diseases.

8. Almonds

Vitamin E is the best key to having a healthy immune system. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it requires the presence of fat to be absorbed properly. Nuts such as almonds, are packed with the vitamin and also have healthy fats.

9. Turmeric

This bright yellow, bitter spice has been used for years as an anti-inflammatory in treating both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Can help decrease exercise-induced muscle damage.

10. Green tea

Both green and black teas are packed with flavonoids. Where green tea excels to enhance immune function.

Green tea is also a good source of the amino acid, may aid in the production of germ-fighting compounds in your T-cells.

11. Papaya

Loaded with vitamin C. Have a digestive enzyme called papain that has anti-inflammatory effects.

Papayas have decent amounts of potassium, B vitamins, and folate, all of which are beneficial to your health.

12. Kiwi

Kiwis are naturally full of folate, potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin C. Vitamin C helps white blood cells to fight infection, while other nutrients keep the rest of your body functioning properly.

13. Sunflower seeds

They are full of nutrients, including phosphorous, magnesium, and vitamin B-6. They’re also incredibly high in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, which is important in regulating and maintaining immune system function.