How Your Diet Impacts Your Immune System

By Stepy Kamei

The body has a built-in protection system, known as the immune system. The immune system is inherently built to defend and protect your body from problems such as illnesses, viruses, and infections. While the immune system supports the body, it can always use a helpful boost from a healthy lifestyle. This is why it's so important to do everything you can to help support your immune system and make sure it's in tip-top shape. One of the most significant aspects of your daily life which can impact the health of your immune system is your dietary habits and the foods you eat on a regular basis. Keep on reading to learn more about the importance of a healthy diet -- and what you can do to make sure you're getting the right nutrients to bolster your immune system.

Why What You Eat Matters

It's important to look at your food as fuel for your body. When you see it this way, it's often easier to understand why you need to make sure you're consuming foods which will actually nourish your body inside and out, and will support important functions such as the immune system.

Simply put, consuming foods which have plenty of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals will make a big difference in determining how well your immune system is able to defend your entire body from illnesses and injuries.

Basics of a Clean Diet

It can seem daunting to try to "overhaul" your dietary plan in order to have a healthier immune system. It's better, and certainly easier, to instead look at this as an opportunity to gradually introduce just a few healthy habits into your mealtime routines, while slowly cutting out some less-than-ideal eating patterns from your meals and snacks.

For starters, you'll want to make sure the meals you're preparing are balanced and full of nutrients. This typically means a mix of lean protein, whole grains or legumes, and fresh fruits and vegetables should be on your plate as much as possible. This will ensure your body is receiving enough protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and fiber, so your entire body is functioning to the best of its ability.

Furthermore, it's important to do what you can to cut back on foods which are high in sugar, fat, and salt content. These foods and snacks tend to be highly processed, and they often increase inflammation in the body, which actually harms the immune system.

Do your best to eat healthy and wholesome meals over highly processed junk foods, and your immune system will have an easier time taking care of you!

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Roswell, Ga.