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Immunity is one of the most used terms in the last two years. How to boost your immunity amidst the ongoing pandemic has remained a topic of discussion. Nowadays, people are trying almost everything that they hear is good for improving the function of their bodies’ defense systems. They seek the help of nutrient supplements, home remedies, and more. However, they forget that the most significant factor that can boost immunity is a balanced diet.
Suffering from malnutrition or following a diet lacking in important nutrients has been associated with impaired production of immune cells, antibodies, and their functions. Certain dietary patterns are known to prepare the body for an effective fight against microbial attacks and too much inflammation, which is a result of the immune response.
Your body’s immune response relies on the presence of various micronutrients that you can get from plant and animal foods. For example, zinc, vitamin C, protein, selenium, vitamin D, iron, etc.
Notably, the microbiome plays a pivotal role in the function of the immune system. Your gut contains good bacteria which have been found to stimulate immune cell activity by breaking fibers into small chain fatty acids. That is why you are suggested to have foods rich in probiotics (live and helpful bacteria) and prebiotics (foods that feed the colonies of gut bacteria). Some of such food items include yogurt, kefir, fermented vegetables, miso, bananas, onions, garlic, fruits, and vegetables etc.
These eatables provide essential nutrients to your system too. This is important as a deficiency of even a single nutrient can cause a significant damage to your body. Researchers have revealed that your immune system’s response will be altered if your body lacks enough zinc, folic acid, iron, vitamin A, B6, C, D, E, etc. Some of these nutrients act as an antioxidant and protect healthy cells while others support the growth and activity of your immune system.
