Our immune system is responsible for protecting our body from disease-causing or lethal microorganisms. It does a great job, but sometimes it fails because of immunosuppression in an individual or attack of a very large number of pathogens and makes you ill.
An individual must adopt a healthy lifestyle to prevent diseases. Many products are available in the market that claims to increase a person’s immunity, but you must know that immunity is not increasing the number of immune cells in our body; that is what most supplements do. It is because different cells work against different pathogens, and we do not know which cells must be increased in our body.
According to the studies, our healthy immune system depends on our dietary intake. It is usually observed that the people living in poverty are more susceptible to diseases. Some nutrients like selenium, iron, vitamins A, B, C, E, and others change the activity of our immune system and expose us to different diseases. Stress is one of the major causes of immunosuppression in different individuals.
Foods to Boost the Immunity
Proper diet and exercise are beneficial for having a strong immune system. There are certain foods available that provide you with all the essential nutrients that boost your immune system. Some of the foods to boost our immune system and their importance are discussed below.
1. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits are too important for our immune system and protect us from several diseases, including cancer and kidney stones. Vitamin C present in citrus increases the number of lymphocytes in the body that are the most important cells fighting against the invading microbes.
Some fruits are included in the list of citrus fruits and can be taken with our food. Some citrus fruits are:
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Limes
- Grapefruits
- Mandarins
- Tangerines
- Clementines
Vitamin C is not produced or stored in our body, so its daily uptake is necessary for better health conditions. The amount recommended for adults is:
- 75 mg for women
- 90 mg for men
If you are taking Vitamin C supplements, never exceed the 2000mg limit for a day. Although it is effective against many diseases like the cold, its effectiveness is not observed against the coronavirus.
