Everyone wants to be in the pink of their health, no matter what their age. It is said that you are as strong as your immune system. Did you know that a good immune system has the power to fight anything from common cold to cancer, from stomach disorders to chronic fatigue? But what does it take to have a super-efficient immune system? Recently, scientists have unravelled the complex mechanism of the immune system and its dependence on diet. Just eating healthy can stimulate immunity. Natural foods contain antioxidants, which stimulate immune functioning and increase your resistance to infections.

The human body is like a super computer. This miraculous bundle of tissue, muscles, bones and blood, is a finely tuned complex mechanism that works in tandem with nature. The output is determined by the input that is your food intake. The nutrients you take affect your physiological, psychological and emotional well being. An incorrect diet pattern can increase your susceptibility to diseases like heart attacks, cancers, osteo-arthritis, diabetes, blood pressure, to name a few and reduce your immunity.

Immunity Zappers in the 21st century

 “What is this life, full of care? We have no time to stand and stare.” W.H. Davies has so aptly written about the life in metros in the poem Leisure. As we rush through the multiple tasks of life, little do we realise about how much we abuse our body.

Pollution

We are constantly exposed to car exhausts, pesticides, food additives and harmful compounds emanating from garbage and construction sites. Many of these chemicals are prime suspects behind our declining immune systems and accelerating the aging process. But we don’t really bother about fending off such attacks. We simply submit ourselves to these chemical dictates. This deteriorates the immune system and also brings about a significant decline in the white blood corpuscles (WBCs), the soldiers of our body.

Stress

Stress is a product of the 21st century. It comes hand in glove with progress, innovation and development. Go for a drive and one ends up feeling stressed and upset. The best self-defence to combat stress and its effects is a nutritionally sound diet. You can either digest your stress and stay healthy and peaceful or be overpowered by it and succumb to various stress spawned ailments like cardiac diseases, hyper tension, attacks of depression, etc.

Changing eating habits

Processed and attractively packaged foods that have crept into the kitchen are the icing on this malnutrition cake given the high premium on time. Our choice of food is governed by convenience, appearance and taste rather than its nutritive value. Hence in order to keep our immune systems in the best of its conditions, all you need is a little knowledge about nutrition and supplements and soon enough you can have a total control over your health.