My top 5 Ingredients to support a healthy immune system.
Your immune system is your body’s defence system to fight bacteria and germs that can make you sick, or worse, cause disease. When it comes to staying healthy, or shortening an illness, having a strong immune system is important.
Most of us have a general idea of what our immune system is, but not so much what our immune system is comprised of, which can make it difficult to maintain our body’s ability to stay healthy.
Your immune system is comprised of
Your skin: The body’s physical barrier to stop germs and bacteria.
Your gut: Most of the good bacteria in your body are held in your gut and having a healthy gut with balanced bacteria levels helps your body fight off infections.
Mucous membranes: Mucous lines the insides of your body and catches germs and bacteria before they have the chance to attack.
Lymphatic system: The lymphatic system is comprised of your lymph nodes, marrow, and spleen. It helps carry oxygen, food, and water throughout your body and flush out toxins, germs and bacteria.
It has never been more important to ensure we are taking care of ourselves and our loved ones and the good news is we can do this with every meal we eat.
1. Aloe Vera
In the form of drinking gel.
Not all drinking aloe vera are created the same! If it includes the outer leaf it can be poisonous and have a laxative effect on our bodies. The inner gel, however, is where the magic is.
I recommend Forever Aloe Vera Gel since its made with 99.7% pure inner leaf aloe vera. Aloe Vera has a cocktail of nutrients and a 5000-year history of health and wellness in and on the body!
I take a ‘shot’ (approx 100ml) of Aloe Vera Drinking Gel every morning. If you don’t like the taste, it is pure plant after all, you can add to smoothies or juice.
2. Ginger
With a high concentration of antioxidants, ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory addition to your diet. Gingerol, the bioactive substance in fresh ginger, can help lower the risk of infections and ginger extract can inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria. Fresh ginger may also be effective against common causes of respiratory infections.
I use powdered ginger in baking and always have fresh ginger on hand for curries and smoothies. It is also great for warming your body, especially if you are prone to being cold and can help fire up your metabolism. I use this ingredient more and more.
3. Chilli Peppers
Due to their high content of vitamin A, which is key in maintaining a healthy respiratory, intestinal, and urinary system, and vitamin C, which is vital in building your immunity against infections and illnesses.
Chillis are another ingredient I use frequently adding to curries or Chilli con Carne and stir-fries, I even add it to my salads. Spice up your life!
4. Garlic
Used in many cuisines around the world, garlic is a sulfur-rich root vegetable that contains the immune-supporting substance, allicin. When the clove is crushed or chopped, an enzyme, alliinase, is released. Garlic can increase the number of virus-fighting T-cells in your bloodstream which is important because colds and the flu are caused by viruses.
Garlic is most beneficial eaten raw. I love garlic in olives from the deli. There are also some lovely recipes such as peanut satay which will mask the harsh taste of raw garlic but give you the benefits.
5. Citrus Fruits
Not only delicious, citrus fruits are loaded with vitamin C, a key immune-supporting vitamin and helpful in fighting infection.
Add these nutritious citrus fruits to your shopping list: oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, clementines, blood oranges, tangerines.
We always have satsumas in our house, its an easy snack, especially for children. I also squeeze half a lemon into warm water every morning, this is great to cleanse the digestive system and alkalize your body (yes, lemon juice is alkaline, not acid). I also love limes, these add a sherbety zing to any smoothie!
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