Build your defenses!

-
This rainy season, boost your immune system by adding these basic nutrients to your daily diet.

In this season, where pouring rains force people to come in closer contact with ailing individuals in enclosed spaces such as malls or public vehicles, and airborne viruses and bacteria are having a heyday floating from one victim to another, the key to good health is a good defense. This will come in a healthy body nourished by these 5 important immunity-building nutrients:
  1. Vitamin C. This readily-available nutrient has been found to increase the production of white blood cells and antibodies, the primary function of which is to fight off infections. Foods rich in this important vitamin include citrus fruits, papayas, guavas, and tomatoes.
  2. Vitamin E. This vitamin has been receiving a lot of attention lately for its antioxidant properties. It stimulates the production of immune cells that produce antibodies which target and destroy bacteria. Vitamin E is present in nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils. A significant amount is available from whole grain cereals, which give you another great reason for enjoying a full serving every morning.
  3. Zinc. This power mineral not only helps increase the production of white blood cells, it even helps them fight harder. Children who have a regular zinc intake have been found to have fewer sick days. While there are zinc supplements that are already available, doctors say that zinc is easily found in fortified cereals, yogurt, beef, and seafood.
  4. Vitamin A. This vitamin is actually a potent combination of beta carotene and retinol. Beta carotene by itself increases the number of infection-fighting cells and their helper T-cells. It also has antioxidant properties, because it helps eliminate free radicals from the body. Vitamin A is also good for the eyes, bones, teeth, skin and hair. It is found in a number of foods such as green leafy vegetables, carrots, milk, mangoes, and eggs.
  5. Omega-3 fatty acids. Essential fatty acids act to protect the body against damages from infections. These are healthy fats from fish such as salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, catfish, and shellfish like clams and shrimps.
Source:

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t042500.asp
http://www.medicinenet.com/omega-3_fatty_acids/article.htm

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bacteria

-
Bacteria is a one-celled organisms visible only through a microscope. Bacteria live all around us and within us. The air is filled with bacteria, and they have even entered outer space in spacecraft. Bacteria live in the deepest parts of the ocean and deep within Earth. They are in the soil, in our food, and on plants and animals. Even our bodies are home to many different kinds of bacteria. Our lives are closely intertwined with theirs, and the health of our planet depends very much on their activities. Bacterial cells are so small that scientists measure them in units called micrometers (µm). One micrometer equals a millionth of a meter (0.0000001 m or about 0.000039 in), and an average bacterium is about one micrometer long. Hundreds of thousands of bacteria would fit on a rounded dot made by a pencil. Bacteria lack a true nucleus, a feature that distinguishes them from plant and animal cells. In plants and animals the saclike nucleus carries genetic material in the form of deoxyrib
Read more

Diseases and Disorders of Respiratory System

-
. The diseases and disorders of the respiratory system can affect any part of the respiratory tract and range from trivial to life-threatening. The nasal passages and pharynx, for example, are targets for the viruses that cause colds . These viruses infiltrate and destroy the cells of the nasal passage membranes. The immune system fights back by increasing blood flow to the area, bringing numerous virus-attacking white blood cells to the scene; this causes the membranes to swell, resulting in the stuffy nose associated with colds. Mucous secretions increase in response to the viral attack, creating the runny nose typical of colds. The infection can spread to the sinuses, the membrane-lined cavities in the head, as well as the lower respiratory tract and the middle ear. The respiratory system is also subject to allergic reactions such as hay fever and asthma , brought about when the immune system is stimulated by pollen, dust, or other irritants. Hay fever is characterized by a runny n
Read more

Human Nutrition

-
Human Nutrition is learning how food affects the health and survival of the human body. Human beings require food to grow, reproduce, and maintain good health. Without food, our bodies could not stay warm, build or repair tissue, or maintain a heartbeat. Eating the right foods can help us avoid certain diseases or recover faster when illness occurs. These and other important functions are fueled by chemical substances in our food called nutrients. Nutrients are classified as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. When we eat a meal, nutrients are released from food through digestion. Digestion begins in the mouth by the action of chewing and the chemical activity of saliva, a watery fluid that contains enzymes , certain proteins that help break down food. Further digestion occurs as food travels through the stomach and the small intestine, where digestive enzymes and acids liquefy food and muscle contractions push it along the digestive tract. Nutrients are absor
Read more