Feeding Your Immunity

Vitamin C: Vitamin C supplements are inexpensive to produce, and it’s available naturally in many fruits and vegetables.

• Take around 200 milligrams a day
• Eat at least 6 servings of fruits/veggies a day
• If taking supplements, space them throughout the day (not one large dose)

Vitamin E: Antioxidant and immunity booster

• Stimulates the production of natural killer cells (destroy cancer and germ cells)
• Enhances the production of B-cells producing antibodies
• May reverse some of the decline in immune response commonly seen in aging
• Implicated to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease
• Cut the risk of heart attacks by 50%
• You need 100-400 milligrams per day, depending on your general lifestyle

Carotenoids:

• Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by interfering with how the fats & cholesterol in the bloodstream oxidize to from arterial plaques.
• Protect against cancer by stimulating the immune cells called macrophages to produce tumor necrosis factor, which kills cancer cells.
• The body converts into vitamin A

Bioflavenoids:

• Aid the immune system by protecting cells against environmental pollutants.
• Protect the cell membranes against the pollutants trying to attach to them.
• Lessen the formation of microscopic clots inside arteries, which can lead to heart attack and stroke

• If you eat the recommended 6 servings of fruits/veggies a day, you will get your daily dose of bioflavenoids.

Zinc:

• Increases production of white blood cells that fight infection and helps them fight more aggressively.
• Fights against cancer and helps white blood cells release more antibodies.
• Zinc supplements have been shown to slow the growth of cancer.
• It is best to get zinc from your diet (aim for 15-25 milligrams daily)
• A great source of zinc for infants and young children is zinc-fortified cereal.

Garlic:

• Stimulates the multiplication of infection-fighting white cells
• Boosts natural killer cell activity
• Increases the efficiency of antibody production
• Can act as an antioxidant that reduces build up of free radicals in the bloodstream
• Lower incidence of intestinal cancer
• May play a part in getting rid of potential carcinogens and toxic substances
• Heart friendly food - - keeps platelets from sticking together and clogging blood vessels

Selenium:

• Mobilizes cancer fighting cells

Omega 3/Fatty Acids

• Oils act as immune boosters by increasing the activity of phagocytes, the white blood cells that eat bacteria
• Protect against damage from over-reactions to infection.

Source: http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t042500.asp#T042501