4 Ways To Improve Your Immunity

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The immune system is the human body’s first line of defense against disease. Is there anything we can do to make it stronger? It turns out that your immune system is highly influenced by the foods you eat, and the type of lifestyle you lead. Keep reading our list of the four key behaviors that can strengthen your immunity and help you ward off illness!


1. Whey Protein

This stuff is not just for elite athletes and bodybuilders! Made from a liquid byproduct produced during the making of cheese, whey protein can help strengthen your immune system.

It is usually sold in powdered form and is traditionally consumed after a workout because it helps the muscle fibers recover and grow faster after exercise. A study at the University of Alberta in Canada found that male college students who engaged in aerobic exercise were able to maintain normal levels of gluthione after drinking whey protein. Gluthione is an antioxidant that helps regulate the immune system, among other things. Strenuous cardiovascular exercise can deplete your body’s levels of this compound, but researchers found that participants who drank whey protein were able to keep their levels from going down significantly.


2.Vitamin C

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is probably the first nutrient that comes to mind for most people when they think about how to strengthen their immune system — and with good reason! This powerful vitamin goes a long way toward helping your immune system do its job more effectively. Vitamin C is available as a standalone supplement, and it is easy to get large amounts of it through your diet. The key is to pick the right foods that will give you the most bang for the buck.

Perhaps the most obvious source of vitamin C is oranges, since almost every carton and bottle of OJ lists it prominently on the label. But other citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C as well, including lemons, limes, grapefruits, pomelos, and all the various cousins of oranges like clementines. Other fruits like strawberries, peaches, and more are good choices. Fruits in general are plentiful in the vitamin!

But vegetables are also necessary for your health, and offer high amounts of vitamin C as well. Cruciferous (leafy green) vegetables like kale, spinach, collards, and mustard greens are also an excellent choice.

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