“Food: A Tool for both Prevention and Ammunition against Disease”
Food: A Tool for both Prevention
and Ammunition against Disease
Our immune system is responsible for protecting us from foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses, parasites, and cancer. It is a complex system that gets abused regularly by daily activities such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and our 21st century environment. The correct foods along with proper quality (organic vs. non-organic) can help to strengthen the immune system and prevent disease and infection, whereas, the wrong foods can cause immune system errors and allow chronic infections, cancer, colds, AIDS, asthma, allergies, autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue), and even Type I Diabetes to flourish.
Around 2,500 years ago, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, first popularized the "food as medicine" concept, which unfortunately, fell into obscurity by the 19th century. The first 50 years of the 20th century saw the discovery of the essential elements and vitamins. This led to "enrichment" of processed foods to help people regain the health they lost when they abandoned real whole foods. However, today we are realizing that processed and refined foods “fortified with nutrients” is not beneficial and actually harms the body’s immune system. A diet lacking whole, unprocessed natural foods free from pesticides and hormones is a valid explanation for the declining function of our immune system. Lets get back to what Hippocrates said, “let thy foods be your medicine and your medicine be thy food.”
Foods that Help Strengthen the Immune System
(Always eat organic when possible)
Fruits
In particular those high in Vitamin C like blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, kiwi fruit, cantaloupe, and apples.
Vegetables
In particular vegetables high in Vitamin A (beta-carotene) and Vitamin C. Carrots, squash, sweet potato, tomatoes, spinach, kale, collard greens, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, onions, leeks, avocado, garlic, onions, and ginger.
Oily Fish
Rich in Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids and high in Vitamin E, like salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, tuna and trout.
Nuts and Seeds
These are extremely rich in Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids and high in Vitamin E. Unsalted nuts, like walnuts, brazil nuts and almonds, and seeds like sunflower, linseeds, pumpkin seeds and hemp seeds all contain good fats.
Whole Grains
Including lentils, chick peas (garbanzo beans), brown rice, whole grain bread, wheat germ, and whole-wheat cereals
Oils
Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Olive and Flaxseed Oils are best to use when not heating.
Foods that Weaken the Immune System
High Saturated Fat Foods
Red meat, processed meat products like sausage, salami, hot dogs, hamburgers, smoked meats and full-fat dairy products.
Trans Fat Foods (hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils)
Found in a lot of processed and refined foods from Jiff peanut butter to Doritos to margarine. Most restaurant food contains these dangerous oils.
Refined Carbohydrates and Sugar
Many refined carbohydrate foods are also high in fat and sugar, like cakes, cookies, pastries, muffins, donuts, Danish, ice cream, and candy.
Alcohol
Drink lots of water, diluted fruit juice, vegetable juice, and green tea.
Caffeine in particular Colas (1 can of Coca Cola® contains 10 teaspoons of sugar)
Instead drink more water, freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juice, and herbal teas like ginger, peppermint, and green tea.
Suneil Jain, NMD