What are the best natural immune boosters?

When combating sickness and infection, your body has a proven line of defense: your own built-in natural immunity. The human immune system is a system designed to fight off things that attack your body internally, and it’s job is to keep your body alive and in good working order.

If your immune system is compromised, broken, or ineffective, you are subject to get sick or get infections. An immune system that is flawed can leads to things as annoying as constant sinus infections and fungal infections or even things as serious as fatal illnesses. So keeping your immune system in tip-top shape is crucial!

So how do you boost your immune system? There are many immune boosting supplements, but there are also a number of naturally occuring foods and herbs that are commonly known as immune boosters. Here are the most common:

• Turmeric
• Garlic
• Green tea
• Citrus

There are numerous other things you can eat that can help strengthen immunity. According to an article about foods that strengthen your immune system, “Nuts and seeds are great sources of crucial vitamins and minerals, fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant, and most people don’t come close to consuming the daily need (15 mg). Tucker says munching on a handful of sunflower seeds or almonds every day will do the trick.” Also, certain fats and oils are noted as being important: “Healthy oils, such as olive, flaxseed, and canola, supply omega-3 fats, which help keep inflammation in check and regulate immune cell activity. A tablespoon or two of an oil-based dressing can also help your body absorb antioxidant carotenoids (which the body converts to vitamin A) and other nutrients in greens and other vegetables.” [Source]

Aside from eating, don’t forget some basic habits that are known to help maintain a good immune system. According to Dr. Suzanne Cassel, an immunologist at Cedars-Sinai, “There are some diet and lifestyle factors that influence your immune response. ‘Exercise, eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep are beneficial,’ Dr. Cassel says. Diabetes, obesity and smoking can also interfere with your immune system and cause it to not work the way it is supposed to”. [Source]