Foods That Boost the Immune System

Recommendations for foods that boost the immunecalcium, B-complex, and vitamins C, D and E. You
system vary. The Chinese diet to boost the immunemay at this point give up on a diet to boost the
system includes a chicken soup tonic that containsimmune system and just take a multi-vitamin instead,
chicken, deng shen, broomrape, and sliced ginger.but not all multi-vitamins are the same. Some do not
Prevention magazine recommends beef, sweetcontain calcium or iron. Some are properly balanced
potatoes, mushrooms, tea and yogurt. Other expertsfor men, but not for women.
recommend avoiding beef and eating a diet rich inEven if you take a good daily multi-vitamin, it is still
vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sproutsimportant to eat a healthy diet and there are some
and cauliflower, because of the enzymes theyinteresting foods that boost the immune system,
contain. Any or all of these diets could have merit.according to recent studies. Edible mushrooms, for
The primary goal should be overall good nutrition.example, are a valuable source of biologically active
There are a number of vitamins, minerals, plantcompounds called beta glucans and could benefit a
components and herbs that are beneficial to thediet to boost the immune system. Numerous studies
immune system. Finding specific foods that boost thehave shown that beta glucans stimulate the immune
immune system can be complicated, because certainsystem, providing protection from colds, influenza and
vitamins work best when taken with other vitamins.infections, as well as AIDS by inhibiting viral replication.
For instance, vitamin C, probably the most commonlyIf you prefer not to eat mushrooms, beta glucans
recommended vitamin for infection resistance, worksare found in numerous plant foods, including oats,
best when taken with calcium and magnesium.barley and yeast.
Calcium, among the other vital roles that it plays inCrabmeat, lobster, oysters, salmon and tuna are all
the body, helps the cells absorb Vitamin C and otherfoods that boost the immune system. Because, they
nutrients more efficiently. Magnesium plays the sameare good sources of calcium, magnesium, manganese,
role and is also essential for proper function of theiron and vitamins A, C, D, E and B complex. Dieticians
muscles and nerves. So, an effective diet to boostand nutritionists often refer to salmon as a "super
the immune system must include foods that containfood". It not only contains all of the vitamins and
Vitamin C, magnesium and calcium, or a combinationminerals necessary to maintain a healthy immune
of foods that contain these important nutrients.system, but is also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which
To further complicate your search for foods thatare believed to be beneficial in preventing heart
boost the immune system, calcium and magnesium,disease, cancer and arthritis. Omega-3
which are necessary for the proper absorption ofsupplementation can improve overall mental function
Vitamin C, work best when taken with iron,and reduce symptoms of depression. Dietary experts
manganese, and Vitamin D. The body cannot absorbrecommend two servings of salmon per week or
calcium, if Vitamin D is not present, which is why milkfour servings of tuna, not only to be included in a
is fortified with Vitamin D. In addition, a lack ofdiet to boost the immune system, but also to
Vitamin A in the diet can lead to frequent infectionsprovide adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.
and Vitamin A works best when taken with zinc,