Good nutrition happens to be the key to boosting our immunity. This means that feeding your body the right kinds of food can help boost our immune system and keep us healthy and active in the long run. While a change in lifestyle, especially in our diet, seems difficult to do – it can be as simple as incorporating more nutritious ingredients to our existing meals.

In this article, we will explore foods that help boost immunity. However, it is important to remember that variety is the key to proper nutrition. This is one reason why most fad diets fail. Not all diets are bad though. In fact, numerous people all around the world have benefitted from diet plans such as the keto diet and DASH diet. What is important though is that you maintain a healthy balance and not get carried away with trying to lose weight. Having a weight loss goal is a wonderful thing, especially if said weight loss is done in a planned and controlled manner. After all, a goal without a plan is just a wish.

It is also important to remember that eating just the foods mentioned in this article will not be enough to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Pay attention to what you eat, the serving size of your meals, and recommended daily intake, so that you do not get too much of a single vitamin and too little of others.

Poultry such as chicken is high in vitamin B-6. About 85 grams of chicken meat contains nearly one-third of the daily recommended amount of B-6. Vitamin B-6 plays an important role in many of the chemical reactions that happen in the body. It is also vital to the formation of new and healthy red blood cells. Chicken stock or broth made by boiling chicken bones contains gelatin, chondroitin, and other nutrients is helpful for gut healing and immunity.

Turmeric is a widely used spice in many curries and has been used for years as an anti-inflammatory in treating both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. High concentrations of curcumin, which gives turmeric its yellow color, can help decrease exercise-induced muscle damage.

Garlic is a must-have for your health and is very valuable in fighting infections. It also helps slow down the hardening of the arteries. Garlic has immune-boosting properties which come from a heavy concentration of sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin.

Ginger helps decrease inflammation, which can reduce sore throat and other inflammatory illnesses. Ginger may help with nausea as well as decrease chronic pain and might even possess cholesterol-lowering properties.

Spinach is rich in vitamin C and is packed with antioxidants and beta carotene, which increase the infection-fighting ability of our immune systems. Similar to broccoli, spinach is healthiest when it is cooked for as little time as possible so that it retains its nutrients. Having vitamin c foods such as these helps our bodies fight infections more efficiently.

Yogurt that has live and active cultures may stimulate your immune system to help fight diseases. Try to consume plain yogurts rather than the flavored kind that are loaded with sugar. You can sweeten plain yogurt yourself with fruits and a drizzle of honey. Yogurt can also be a great source of vitamin D, so try to select brands fortified with this vitamin. Vitamin D helps regulate the immune system and is thought to boost the body’s natural defenses against diseases.

Citrus fruits help build up your immune system. Vitamin C increases the production of white blood cells, which are key to fighting infections. Almost all citrus fruits are high in vitamin C. Popular citrus fruits include grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, lemons, and limes.

Papaya contains a lot of vitamin C. You can find the daily recommended amount of vitamin C in a single medium fruit. Papayas also have a digestive enzyme called papain that has anti-inflammatory effects, and adequate amounts of potassium, magnesium, and folate, which are very beneficial for your overall health.

Green Tea or black tea are packed with flavonoids, which is a type of antioxidant. Green tea has the highest levels of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), another powerful antioxidant. It is a good source of the amino acid L-theanine. L-theanine may aid in the production of germ-fighting compounds in your T cells.

Sunflower seeds are packed with nutrients, including phosphorous, magnesium, and vitamins B-6 and E. Vitamin E is crucial in regulating and maintaining immune system function. Sunflower seeds are also incredibly high in selenium. Approximately 28 grams contains nearly half the selenium that the average adult needs daily.

If you feel that you suffer from a certain vitamin or mineral deficiency, you could always get yourself checked through a testing service. This will help you identify your deficiencies so that you can then work to improve them. Although there is no particular test for measuring how strong your immunity is, a simple cbc test will give you a good picture of the constituents of your blood. Other tests to help you gauge your internal health include sgpt alt, which measures how well your liver is functioning, and uric acid test. It is always good to refer to a doctor for test recommendations and reading. However, due to the current situation of the country, it is recommended for you to use an online doctor and even an online testing service for this purpose.

You can now order any lab test offered by Dr Essa Labs on Shifaam. With a few taps on your smartphone, you can easily order lab tests from the safety of your home, and a lab technician will come to you for a sample collection.

To consult with a healthcare professional, log on to www.shifaam.com or download the Shifaam health App now from Google Play (bit.ly/2JqZo3C) or the iOS App Store (apple.co/2QUVxQz) and connect with your healthcare provider safely from home.