Now that there is an increasing awareness of viruses and illnesses, the topic of immunity often comes up in our daily conversations. It’s an essential component of our body that helps us survive in a world riddled with disease and parasites. However, it’s a foreign concept for many of us. What does the immune system do, exactly?
What Is Immunity?
Every day, we face the threat of illness-causing microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Thankfully, our bodies offer natural protection against these harmful organisms in the form of our immune systems.
This system is responsible for identifying and destroying most microorganisms that want to invade our bodies. It recruits the help of white blood cells, antibodies, the lymphatic system, and other mechanisms to protect us from various diseases that would otherwise be grave or life-threatening.
What Factors Affect Immunity?
Many factors come into play when it comes to our immunity, such as our individual genetics and the environment in which we live. Here are some lifestyle factors that affect our immune systems:
- Chronic Stress: Some stress can be productive because it drives us to act on situations and challenges. However, prolonged stress can cause imbalances in our hormones and deplete our supply of protective cells.
- Lack of Sleep: Sleep is the body’s way of replenishing itself—it gets rid of toxins and other harmful substances while restoring our cells and tissues. A lack of sleep can lead to further damage and a compromised immune system.
- Obesity: Excess weight can cause chronic inflammation and impair some of our white blood cells, making us at risk of various diseases.
- Poor Diet: Our immune system requires specific nutrients to maintain its function; without an adequate supply of nutrition, the body’s immunity suffers significantly. On the other hand, healthy meals help support strong immune functions.
How Can a Healthy Diet Affect Immunity?
“You are what you eat,” as the famous adage goes. Eating a healthy diet is vital for maintaining optimal health and immunity, as many studies suggest. The food you eat can influence your gut microbiome, white blood cell functions, and many other processes.
Many people in the U.S. thrive on diets rich in saturated fats, salts, sugars, and preservatives. These types of foods have links with higher risks of chronic illnesses. Also, many of us have deficiencies in nutrients essential for immune response, such as zinc and vitamins C and D.
What Types of Healthy Food Can Boost Your Immunity?
Diets containing whole, nutrient-rich foods provide our bodies what we need to keep our immunity functioning well. It’s best to avoid ordering fast food as much as possible, as the meals typically contain unhealthy amounts of saturated fats, salt, sugars, and preservatives.
Eating lots of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fish, lean meat, olive oil, and other healthy foods can help reduce the risk of developing various diseases. Foods rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and beneficial fats also promote balance within our bodies and keep our bodily functions in working order.
Order Healthy Meals in Buffalo, NY
Our immunity is one of our best defenses against the countless microorganisms that can cause various illnesses, and several lifestyle factors can affect it. The typical American diet is rich in unhealthy food that can contribute to poor immunity and the development of chronic diseases, but healthy meals are now fortunately on the rise.
If you’re looking to order healthy meals in the US, Eat Rite Foods has you covered. We prepare and ship healthy and nutritious food across all continental states and only use the freshest, most high-quality ingredients in our meals. Boost your health and immunity—order now!
