Author: Alexander Bruni
Time for reading: ~2
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
Frequent colds (more than 4-6 times a year) are considered a sign of weak immunity.
In winter, as well as in early spring, the body is highly sensitive to environmental influences .
During the cold half of the year, the immune system needs additional maintenance and nutrition, as the body is systematically subjected to attacks by pathological microorganisms , adverse weather conditions, lack of vitamins in the diet and exacerbation of chronic diseases.
Frequent colds (more than 4-6 times a year), recurrences of chronic diseases such as herpes, stomatitis, bronchitis and others, as well as rapid fatigue, allergies and emotional lability are considered a sign of weak immunity.
First of all, the body must be provided with substances that will help the immune system to function properly.
It is good for the immune system to eat vegetables and fruits before meals. Without the presence of other foods in the digestive system, vitamins and other nutrients are absorbed more efficiently .
Suitable foods to support the immune system and recovery processes are foods and beverages with antioxidant action , which include most fruits and vegetables, especially those with dark green, red and orange colors. The recommended amount is at least 400 g per day.
Other plant foods such as garlic, onions and leeks, which contain sulfides, sulfur compounds that not only boost immunity but also suppress microbial growth and reduce inflammation, are also helpful.
In order to form these compounds, it is necessary to chop the garlic and crush it, cut the onion and leek and stand for some time. Then enzymes are released from them, which lead to the formation of active substances useful for immunity.
Yogurt is another valuable food product that should be present in our menu every day. Its beneficial properties are due to the content of probiotics, which help maintain a healthy and strong immune system.
Live lactic acid bacteria contained in milk are a powerful weapon to support the intestinal immune defense barrier.
Animal foods, rich in high quality proteins are meat, fish, milk and dairy products and eggs, and legumes and nuts are plant products rich in protein. It is good to consume at least one representative of protein foods daily, both to restore protein losses and to support immunity.
Pumpkin seeds are recommended because they are rich in zinc, which helps white blood cells fight disease. Selenium is another nutrient that protects cells from the damage that free radicals do, and also improves the immune system. An excellent source of selenium is tuna.
Other foods that you should not neglect during this time of year are mushrooms and sweet potatoes. Mushrooms contain beta glucans, which are extremely useful for the body in fighting infections. Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, are rich in vitamin A, which eliminates free radicals that weaken the immune system.
It is recommended to include in the diet wholemeal bread and wholemeal pasta, which are rich in minerals and vitamins, as well as healthy fiber.
Another extremely useful remedy against the damage caused by free radicals is green tea . It has amazing antioxidant properties that eliminate pests.