What foods, drinks and supplements are best for making your immune system strong

1. 91

   Rochelle Frankposted 12 years ago

   What foods, drinks and supplements are best for making your immune system stronger?
   
   Are there certain things you should eat daily, or on a regular basis, to help you fend off sickness, infection or disease?

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2. 0

   ExoticHippieQueenposted 12 years ago

   Am I the first? Cool! A simple answer is fruits and vegetables because they are full of antioxidants to fight off disease.  Since the immune system is mainly in your gut, though you have lymph nodes that fight off infection throughout your body, probiotics are great for building your immune system as well as many mushrooms, such as reiki, shitake and others. Although this is not a food or drink, exercise and avoiding depression also help keep the immune system strong.

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   1. 91

      Rochelle Frankposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I appreciate all of the answers here. Yes, food is important, but I think the mind and emotional state is the key.

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3. 73

   sandrabusbyposted 12 years ago

   My personal favorite is Beta-1,3-glucan (from yeast).  That combined with reishi mushrooms and several other things comes in something from Advanced Bionutritionals called MycoPhyto Complex.  Sandra Busby

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4. 81

   Attikosposted 12 years ago

   Red wine and garlic. They clean your arteries and kill germs. Take a lesson from the French, who enjoy the lowest rates of cardiovascular disease in the civilized world: drink generously, eat well, don't take life too seriously, live long and prosper.

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5. 61

   smzclarkposted 12 years ago

   I'm surprised no one's said echinacea yet! Most of the others that I would have mentioned have been said. But echinacea is the first that comes to mind---oh---and Manuca Honey!

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6. 35

   Maria Andresposted 12 years ago

   I'd have to say fish oil Omega 3! Fruits and vegetables are also a big help.

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7. 57

   SoundStormposted 12 years ago

   all naturally foods are the best for our immune system it depend what foods you eat and i think today is defeculde to be secure in these whay couse in market mos of the things are artificially and we all know that , why we don’t turn and see how our ancestors have lived i think they where more healthy than us.

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8. 69

   Joyfreakposted 12 years ago

   I had troubles with constant flu and diseases. Then I discovered the magic of Aloe Vera. 98% Aloe Vera juice, 3 times a day - around 25ml per drink and you start feeling fresh and stronger. Aloe Vera is one of the best immune system stimulators. in my opinion.

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9. 69

   Mary Stuartposted 12 years ago

   I think that first off a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and moving your body (preferably outside) are the best things you can do to build up your immune system. then add lots of garlic, onion, and cruciferous veggies to your diet. Of course plenty of citrus and then plenty of locally grown fruits and veggies are also extremely nourishing and will build your strength.

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10. 0

    yana91posted 12 years ago

    Appropriate drinks for strong immune system are every kind of fresh juices and water, of course. I have already made a hub about healthy foods, you can check it here: http://yana91.hubpages.com/hub/TOP-10-HEALTHIEST-FOODS
    
    Nice Quiestion!

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11. 61

    Julie Jensenposted 12 years ago

    Anything with vitamin C is going to make your immune system stronger and while a good B-complex supplement will help with overall stress and immune system response, vitamin B-5 (Pantothenic Acid) is exceptional in supporting the adrenal glands. Years ago, my immune system was weakened after suffering from an abcessed tonsil and recurring tonsillitis. I just couldn't get up to speed! I took Pantothenic Acid every day with extra C for several years before I truly rebounded. Add a good multi-vitamin and see if you don't experience a difference.

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12. 90

    Diana Grantposted 12 years ago

    Broccoli is particularly good, and also red vegetables and fruit, like tomatoes, red peppers, strawberries and blueberries. Also garlic, onions and ginger.
    Echinacea is good, but, according to some instructions, should not be used for long periods, so take a break after a month.  I normally only take it when I feel a cold coming on, as it seems to shorten the illness. Then when I'm better, I stop.

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13. 0

    trainer ben gamonposted 12 years ago

    you should get all of the following on a daily basis to avoid getting sick:
    vitamin c
    water
    rest
    proper amount of macronutrient

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14. 65

    yoginijoyposted 12 years ago

    I used to live in a very cold climate and people were always getting colds or the flu. I started to eat spicy Thai food with turmeric and that helped me to fend off a lot of the germs. Spicy food in general, such as guacamole with jalapenos, will kill off nasty germs in your intestines.  Good luck!

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15. 62

    petersavageposted 12 years ago

    Drink lots of water and get lots of fruit and vegetables. Some super foods (packed with the good stuff) include: Almonds, Walnuts, Flax-seed, Avocado,  Blueberries, Honey, Garlic, Spinach, Tomatoes, Oranges, Broccoli and Apples.

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    dasein7484posted 12 years ago

    Try Rhodiola Rosea. It's a root from Siberia and an adaptogen used to support your adrenal system and overall well being, including your immune system. It can be found, usually, at your local health food and supplement supplier. If that doesn't work for you: garlic, cinnamon, honey, and good old-fashioned vitamin C are excellent immune supports.

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17. 68

    Hayley Richardsonposted 12 years ago

    Ecchinacea makes an enormous difference when my chronic sinusitis plays up but I wouldn't recommend taking it regularly- some people might be ok but I get inflamed joints if I take it for more than a week at a time.
    
    I've been much less sickly since I started taking supplements and getting more yoghurt in my diet.  I take vitamin C in the morning and a multivitamin in the evening and I feel good and have plenty of energy.   Even though I eat plenty of fruit and vegetables I think it really makes a difference for me to take a supplement.

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18. 61

    susanna NYposted 12 years ago

    Shiitake  mushrooms have an amazing amount of heath benefits!  Blueberry passion fruit are excellent for digestive health as well as immune boasting.

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19. 59

    Colten Garrettposted 12 years ago

    Lots of fruit! No soda\candy or anything of that nature! That will lower your system. Im a huge fruit fan.

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20. 60

    OneTreeposted 12 years ago

    FOODS:  remember this - G.O.M.B.S. - garlic, onions, mushrooms, beans & berries and seeds (sunflower, flaxseed, sesame).  Also, nuts - a 1/4 C. of almonds, pistacios, pecans, etc.  And, good fiber which can be found in beans or legumes (lentils are a favorite of mine).  Of course dark, green and leafy vegetables are excellent.  And, an incredible super food is the beet.  Peppers are high in vitamin C and are very good for you - yes, even (or maybe especially) the hot ones.  Cinnamon also has unbelievable health benefits in just a mere 1/2 teaspoon per day.
    
    FISH - especially salmon (wild is the best), mackerel and sardines.
    
    SUPPLEMENTS:  Omega 3, vitamin E, B complex, vitamin C, Vitamin D and calcium.  CO Q10 is also an amazing supplement - look it up to see the benefits.
    
    DRINKS:  Green tea, water, red wine, coffee - yes, coffee!  Look it up - very high in antioxidants, and cocoa.  Even regular, unsweetened tea is good.
    
    DARK CHOCOLATE - the higher the cacoa, the better.  The cocoa bean and the flavonoids in it are excellent to lower bad cholesterol, decrease blood pressure and increase blood vessel health amongst other things.  If you can find bars with 80 percent or higher cacao, (yes, cacoa - this isn't a typo) you should eat a square or two daily.  Also, chocolate is known for it's mood elevating qualities.  A cup of cocoa has almost three times the amount of antioxidants as green tea!
    
    Stay away from soda -  soda, whether diet or otherwise - is made with phosphoric acid - the phosphates in soda have been proven to demineralize bones.  This is especially bad for children.

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21. 61

    teacherloves2cookposted 12 years ago

    There are a few supplements I use when my immune system is weak.  I'm a special education teacher, and am in close contact with sick children throughout the school year.  Ester C is great (1,000 mg) if your immune system is low.  Wellness Formula- Herbal Defense Complex is wonderful!  They sell it at Whole Foods or Sprouts.

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22. 71

    agusfananiposted 12 years ago

    My office provides me and my family with health insurance, but we almost never use this facility since we drink fruit juice every day. So I recommend all people to drink it like we do to stay healthy.

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23. 91

    Rochelle Frankposted 12 years ago

    Thank you for all the good answers. Anyone else have other suggestions?

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24. 66

    Anjiliposted 12 years ago

    Hi Rochelle,
    
    Mine is usually very easily done. I simply consider an empty plate to fill up with all manner of foods.
    Divide it up into four parts.
    Fill the first quarter with carbohydrates,
    second quarter with proteins,
    third quarter with green vegetable and
    last quarter with fresh fruits.
    Plenty of water and milk (or yorghurt) top up the dish.
    
    I just need to vary the stuff as days go by to avoid monotonous diet.
    I also carefully avoid fast foods and too much of animal products.
    I rarely fall sick as a result.

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