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12 Top Foods That Boost the Immune System (#4 is Wicked Cool!)
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10. Sweet Potatoes
Most people don’t consider their skin as a part of their immune system, but it actually is. Your body’s biggest organ works as the first line of defense when fighting against undesirable houseguests such as bacteria and viruses. In order for your skin to work at its optimal level, it needs vitamin A. One of the best ways to fill your body with vitamin A is to eat foods that are high in beta-carotene. Your body turns this into vitamin A. Try eating a half cup serving (or more) most days of the week. This will get you 40 percent of your daily requirement of vitamin A.
11. Seafood
Shellfish such as crab, lobster, oysters, and clams, are loaded with selenium. Selenium causes your white blood cells to produce cytokines, proteins that remove viruses from the body. Eating fish such as herring, salmon, and mackerel will give you healthy doses of omega-3 essential fatty acids, which reduce inflammation and can protect your lungs from respiratory infections. Just two servings of fish or seafood each week will give you the immune-strengthening things you want and your body needs.
SEE ALSO: Top 12 Natural Ways to Improve Your Kid’s Immune System
12. Chicken Soup
This ancient recipe for nurturing your body when you are sick has a scientific basis. The University of Nebraska researched 13 brands of chicken soup and found that all of them (except for one — the chicken-flavored Ramen noodles) stopped the migration of inflammatory white cells. This means that chicken soup can stop infected cells from moving, for example, from your nose to your lungs. This works because when chicken is cooked, it releases an amino acid called cysteine, which is very similar to the bronchitis drug acetylcysteine. The broth will thin mucus in the body, and when you make your own and add garlic and onions, you have a super powerful immunity boosting soup! Make your own chicken soup for the best results, and mix up a big batch at the very first sign of a cold or flu.
Don’t forget that getting enough sleep, regular exercise, and managing your stress levels are also important factors when it comes to keeping your immune system strong.
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