Lifestyle Choices’ Effects On Health And Immune Function: Part1

Investigating the effect of foods and lifestyle on the immune system and the function of this intricate and complicated system would behoove any serious health and wellbeing seeker. We will be achieving this with a general, easy to understand, commonsense approach.

The impact of a healthy diet on our bodies cannot be overstated. Most people, whether they choose to do something about it or not, seem to be well aware of the correlation between the foods they eat and the condition of their bodies. Taking it one step further, eating organic is even better for our bodies. No chemicals or toxins, healthier products, healthier people, right?

Well, some may argue the point of actual “proof” of the effects of organic versus chemically grown. There are studies out there, some supporting organic’s health edge while others dispute a difference. These disputes will go on as long as there are interested parties. However, somewhere along the line, common sense has got to play a role in your decision making process.

Dorland’s medical dictionary defines health as the optimal state of physical, mental and social well being, not merely the absence of disease and infirmity. That being the case, we need to take this health thing a bit more seriously. Just because you have not been “diagnosed” with a condition, does not mean you are necessarily”healthy”. As in any state of being, there is a continuum, optimal health on one side and death on the other. Why wouldn’t you strive to be on the healthier end of this particular continuum?

Seeing health as a complete package of mind, body and spirit, we can appreciate the interconnectedness as well as discern the importance of aspiring to such a state of being. Health equates to vigor, vitality, stamina, and strength. Sounds like a great way to go through life, does it not?

We have seen, or at the very least heard, that a healthy diet makes our bodies stronger. What exactly does that mean? Eating the right foods containing essential minerals and vitamins along with beneficial proteins, carbs and fats for proper function and vitality are key action steps.

To start you thinking on the track of positive food effects, below is a short, general overview to consider.

Consumers are increasingly aware of the immune enhancing, disease fighting properties of fresh fruits and veggies. Berries, citrus fruits and green veggies are packed full of Vitamins A and C for tissue growth and repair along with immune boosting properties. Looking at Vitamin E, found in nuts, seeds, legumes or cold pressed vegetable oils, you’ll find antioxidant affects contributing to its role in the prevention of cardiovascular issues.

In whole and sprouted grains appears even more antioxidants not found in fruits and vegetables, as well as magnesium, iron, fiber and the family of B vitamins promoting healthy nerves, skin, eyes and hair. Adding to choices to get those B vitamins as well as sources for zinc, look to legumes, fish and eggs.

Providing the body with energy, proteins are essential for growth and development. They are also needed for the manufacture of hormones, antibodies, enzymes and tissues. Amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, constitute whether a protein is complete or incomplete, depending on how many of the amino acids are present. Essential amino acids means they are not synthesized by the body while non-essential amino acids can be synthesized by the body from other amino acids.

Complete proteins, containing ample amounts of the essential amino acids can be found in meat, fish, poultry, cheese eggs and milk. Incomplete proteins, constituting foods containing only some of the essential amino acids, can be found in legumes, grains and leafy greens.

Sensitive to dairy or going vegan? Getting your complete proteins can be as easy as combining a couple of the incomplete proteins together, such as brown rice with lentils or other beans. Easy to find, alternative calcium sources found in an array of foods such as almonds, blackstrap molasses, broccoli, sesame seeds, collards, oats, sardines, seafood and the range of green leafy veggies support healthy bones, teeth and muscles.

Heading into the world of fats, we could go on indefinitely. Since this is an overview, we will just touch on some basic information. There is saturated, found primarily in animal products, along with poly and mono unsaturated found mainly in vegetable sources. Trans fats, a completely different animal, so to speak, occur when polyunsaturated oils are altered through hydrogenation, hardening liquid vegetable oils to solids, such as margarine and shortening. Can you see your liver clogging with these??? Again, there are studies all over on the effects, positive or negative, of fats in general as well as for the specific types.

Using that common sense we were given, what is naturally occurring is more than likely better for your body. While fats are best used wisely and in moderation, make no mistake, they are necessary for literally every body function. Seeing as how fats are essential in the make up of every cell in the body, you can see why we need good, healthy fats as a part of any health conscious diet.

Once again, these are brief overviews and a starting point. There is a plethora of more detailed information available on wise food choices and how to make them.

Some considerations….. knowing food choices are so important, would it not stand to reason (that common sense thing again) that by choosing to eat foods grown and made ready for distribution free of chemical and toxic use are healthier? By choosing real, (verses processed, denatured) whole foods are we giving our body what it needs to function in a more optimal capacity? Will eliminating chemical additives and preservatives give us the nutritional/health edge? In my opinion, the answer is a resounding YES!

In Part 2 we will take a closer look at the Immune system, its functions, and how our food options affecting the processes mentioned above (along with attendant factors) collectively affect our body’s master defender.

Author: Barbara Hodal
Source: isnare.com