The presence in the body of a sufficient number of these substances will help you forget about visits to the doctor even in the midst of epidemics of influenza and ARI.
Take into account that you need to eat to raise the immunity, so that the body can cope with infections faster and more efficiently.
Garlic contains three important compounds that help protect the body from infections and fight infection - allicin, achioin and thiosulphates. These substances are extremely strong, and freshly squeezed garlic juice can be compared in efficiency with nesporinom, excellent disinfecting small wounds. The effectiveness of garlic as a local antibacterial agent surpasses even the known creams and antifungal agents used in the treatment of skin fungal diseases. There are facts proving that intensive use of garlic at the beginning of a cold helps reduce the duration of the disease and smooth its symptoms.
How to apply it correctly? Add garlic to pasta sauce or stew, include garlic in the daily diet, eat several cloves of garlic every week, just do not overdo it: garlic has a strong characteristic odor. And remember that garlic in the shredded state and is more useful, and has a more pronounced smell.
Carrots contain a large amount of beta-carotene, which is considered to be the strongest phytonutrient involved in stimulating the immune system to produce killer cells that fight with microorganisms, as well as cytotoxic T-lymphocytes-healthy cells that attack and kill disease-transmitting microbes.
Carrots also contain falkarinol - one of the compounds considered to be extremely promising in cancer therapy. Scientists at the University of Newcastle have recently discovered that rats that for some time received raw carrots as feed were at risk of developing colon cancer three times less than the control group. So, going to the store, do not forget to include carrots in the list of priority purchases.
To make the most of the useful properties of carrots, you need to use it in its raw form. Boiled or fried carrots are also good for health, but heat treatment destroys both beta-carotene and some part of falcarinol. To feel a noticeable improvement in health, try to eat at least one glass of grated carrots per day.
Yogurt - another "assistant" in the formation of immunity. The organism needs certain microorganisms to ensure its normal functioning. Acidophilic lactic acid bacteria are among the useful microorganisms needed by the body. They stimulate the synthesis of lactic acid, which participates in digestion and accelerates the decomposition of complex organic compounds into digestible components.
In the absence of acidophilic lactic acid, as well as other "good" bacteria, our body would lose the ability to absorb part of the nutrients, which would undoubtedly lead to a disorder in the immune system. Acidophilic bacteria, in addition, are actively fighting pathogenic microflora, in particular, with the bacteria Salmonella and shigella - causative agent of dysentery. Scientists note the role of lactic acid bacteria in the treatment of dysentery of various types, as well as a number of viral infections.
Milk bifidobacteria also participate in strengthening the immune system, especially in the elderly. As researchers from New Zealand have established, in the blood of people who regularly eat foods with bifidobacteria, there are more immune T-lymphocytes, helper cells and killer cells that fight with the pathogenic microflora.
Yogurt containing live bacterial cultures is an excellent source of acidophilus and milk bifidobacteria. Therefore, try to eat yogurt daily, and it is better to choose low-calorie yogurt containing little sugar. For example, fruit and vanilla yogurt can be too high in calories. The usual portion of yogurt should not be more than one cup. When buying yogurt, pay attention to the information on the package: you need to make sure that the product does contain live bacterial cultures.
Oysters are traditionally considered aphrodisiacs, but their benefits are not limited to stimulating libido by enhancing sexual function. Few people know what to eat to boost immunity and these mollusks, which are the richest source of zinc - one of the best stimulants of the immune system. Zinc stimulates healthy reproduction of white blood cells and other antibodies. This reinforces their willingness to counteract infection, increasing natural "aggression". Zinc is essential for the normal functioning of cells and also stimulates the work of more than 100 different enzymes involved in chemical processes in the body.
If these facts did not force you to eat a few slippery shellfish, note that zinc also directly inhibits the growth of bacteria and viruses in the body, either by exerting toxic effects on pathogens, or by activating the immune response directly in the area of infection.
Even an easy lack of zinc can depress the immune system. A strong zinc deficiency can even cause a complete malfunction in the immune system, so if you have never tried oysters, it's time to start using them.
One serving is usually six medium sized oysters and contains approximately 76 milligrams of zinc. Physicians talk about the daily requirement for zinc at a level of 15-25 milligrams, but if you feel the symptoms of a cold - boldly lean on the oysters. Only a few oysters a week can dramatically increase the level of zinc in the body. Just be careful: too high a content of zinc is also unsafe, because it leads to a slowdown in the assimilation of copper and iron and the occurrence of anemia. So consult a doctor before going over to the oysters sharply.