What foods to eat for a healthy immune system?
What is an immune system?
The immune system is a term that describes a biological process in a living organism that protect the organism from any kind of disease or infections. It is a complex combination of various organs, cells and proteins that defends the body against any kind of harm possessed by the outside invader in the body, whilst protecting the body’s own cells.
The immune system is versatile enough to keeps a record of every germ or disease it has ever defeated so that it can recognized and destroyed quickly as soon as it enters the body again. It is the immune system’s job to keep your body healthy. If germs get into your body, it prevents them from entering, kills them, or limits the extent of their damage.
If we did not have an immune system, we would not be able to fight harmful things entering our bodies or preventing harmful changes from taking place inside, which could be terrible for our body to maintain health.
Parts of immune system
A person’s immune system is composed of many different organs, white blood cells, proteins (antibodies), and chemicals. A combination of these systems protects you from infection, illness, and disease caused by foreign invaders (bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi). Following is the list of parts generally present in an immune system.
1. White blood cells (leukocytes)
While traveling in the blood and tissues of your body, white blood cells search for bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that are foreign invaders (microbes). They launch an immune attack as soon as they find them.
2. Antibodies
The body uses antibodies to fight microbes or toxins (poisons) they produce by recognizing substances called antigens on their surface or in their chemicals. A number of cells, proteins, and chemicals are involved in this attack.
3. Complement system
A complement system is composed of proteins that complement antibodies’ work.
4. Lymphatic system
The lymphatic system is made up of lymph nodes (also called lymph glands), lymph vessels, and white blood cells (lymphocytes).
5. Spleen
Spleen is a filtering organ that filters and removes microbes and cells that are old and damaged. It is also associated with production of components that fights diseases and infections in an immune system.
6. Bone marrow
Bone marrow is the tissue that if found inside our bone. It produces red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout our body, white blood cells for fighting infections, and platelets which helps in blood clot.
7. Thymus.
Thymus if a monitoring and filtering section for your blood. This gland produces white blood cells called -lymphocytes.
Food to consume for a healthy immune system
Your immune system may be strengthened by eating certain foods. When it comes to preventing colds, the flu, and other infections, your first stop should be your local grocery store. You can boost your immune system by including these powerful foods in your diet.
- Citrus fruits
- Red bell pepper
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Spinach
- Almond
- yogurt
- Sunflower seeds
- green tea
- turmeric
- papaya
- Poultry foods
- Kiwi
- Shellfish
- eggs
- Salmon
- oyster
- Carrots
- pineapples
REFERENCES:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/foods-that-boost-the-immune-system
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320101#the-immune-system
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/the-immune-system
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_system
- https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/immune-system
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21196-immune-system
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279364/
- https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ss/slideshow-immune-system
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