Best 15 Immune Boosting Foods

Getting a handle on health and wellbeing can be complex: the decision about which vitamins to take, which supplements, which flower remedies etc, can leave you stranded at the counter of a health food store almost drowning in choices.

However, the biggest step we can make towards health and wellbeing is getting the best stuff in our food to build our immunity.
Here is a list of 15 foods that support the immune system.

• Oysters
Full of selenium, apparently depleted from Australian soils and therefore food grown here, boosts cytokine (known to ward off illnesses) production.

• Yoghurt
Eat the yoghurt that contains live cultures, lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium lactis (read: good bacteria), which raise your white blood cell count.

• Green Tea
Green tea is a great source of L-theanine that triggers the release of germ-fighting compounds from your T-cells.

• Oranges
A great source of vitamin C, oranges are good for immunity causing your body to produce higher levels of antibodies and white blood cells.

• Crabmeat
Rich in selenium that strengthens your immune system.

• Garlic
Is loaded with ajoene, allicin and thiosulfinates, compounds high in sulfur that ward off diseases and help battle infections.

• Carrots
Carrots are full of beta carotene, a phytonutrient that increases your body’s production of T-cells and natural killer cells.

• Spinach
Has loads of antioxidants that help boost your immune system.

• Sweet potatoes
Are loaded with beta carotene, boosting your body’s T-cell and NK-cell count.

• Mushrooms
Boost the production of NK-cells and T-cells in your body to help prevent infections because they are rich in compounds called beta glucans.

• Salmon
Contains omega-3 fatty acids, which cause your body’s phagocytes to fight bacteria more effectively.

• Kiwi fruit
High in vitamin C, protecting your body against infections.

• Bell peppers
Are packed with vitamin C, which makes your body produce more of the antibody interferon which covers the surface of cells and fends off viruses.

• Broccoli
A great source of glucosinolates, phytonutrients rich in sulfur that stimulate the natural antioxidant systems in your body.

• Barley
Like mushrooms, barley contains a high amount of beta glucans, known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Adapted by Mark O’Brien for byronbodyandsoul.com from 15 Best Foods to Improve Your Immunity by Tina McCarthy, EcoSalon. Written 1/9/2009

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