There are a number of ways your lifestyle can enhance your immune system, but>1. Mushrooms
The maitake mushroom is an edible mushroom that grows at the base of trees and is known to have medicinal benefits.db_beyer | Getty
Mushrooms have been a staple in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. And now we have modern science to explain the effects of these amazing fungi, which, depending>2. Ginger
Ginger has several strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The spicy, aromatic root contains compounds called gingerols, which show promise in preventing cardiovascular disease by reducing oxidative stress in blood vessels, as well as inflammation in the heart area.
Ginger contains strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.All Nea | Getty
Studies reveal that ginger extract may help prevent alcohol-induced liver disease and can also block the kidney damage created by chemotherapy drugs.
I often recommend ginger to patients who have nausea, bloating and other GI complaints from imbalances in their microbiome. You can incorporate fresh ginger in savory dishes, smoothies and ginger tea, or grab a ginger shot bottle (found at many juice bars and cafes) to drink plain or dilute in water.
3. Broccoli sprouts
Recently, a great deal of attention has been focused>4. Garlic
Not>5. Turmeric
If I had to pick one culinary compound out of nature's apothecary for it's immune-supportive effects, I'd go with turmeric root.
The bright yellow-orange root is not only a staple in Indian cooking, but it contains a magical compound called curcumin.Annmartianova80 | Twenty20
The bright yellow-orange root contains a magical compound called curcumin, which has many key benefits:
- It can buffer high cortisol levels.
- It can suppress some of the immune changes at the root of autoimmune diseases, while generally helpful in reducing chronic inflammation throughout the body.
- It encourages the growth of beneficial strains of bacteria in the gut and lowers other disease-causing bacterial strains.
- It's effective for minimizing joint swelling in rheumatoid arthritis.
Turmeric is a great spice to use in cooking, although it does impart a bright yellow hue to your skin tongue and teeth. And, because it's not well-absorbed in the GI tract, you'd need to eat gobs of it to achieve immune-modulation effects.
Given that, curcumin supplements are the best way to get this beneficial compound. Dosages vary based on need. For general health, I recommend about 1,000 milligram a day in divided dosages.
