Keeping Your Immune System Healthy
Food is any material consumed in order to provide nutrition to an organism. In modern society, food is almost always prepared and eaten at home, making it a very personal experience. Food is generally of animal, plant or microbial origin, and has necessary nutrients, including vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Some foods are very important to people’s health or diets, while others are not.
It’s important to eat a balanced diet in order to keep ourselves healthy. However, many people find that it’s difficult to follow a balanced diet, because of factors such as lack of time or of the right kinds of food. Lack of time can be remedied by adhering to a regular and well-balanced meal plan. On the other hand, individuals who find it hard to follow a dietary fiber plan can benefit from certain foods that contain high levels of dietary fiber.
One food source with high fiber content is psyllium. Psyllium is an edible husk, like barley or rye, that is used to relieve constipation. In a recent study, individuals who increased the amount of fiber they ate tended to have lower incidences of colon cancer. The reason for this was because psyllium prevents absorption of dietary fat.
Another food with a high fiber content is wheat bran. Wheat bran is used to improve the texture of bread and to make bread crumbs taste better. It’s also used in certain foods, such as muffins and donuts, to prevent flatulence and indigestion, two common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome or IBS. A recent study found that people who ate enough vitamin C and zinc were less likely to suffer from IBS. This food is also good for our immune system, because it helps increase the amount of antioxidants present in our cells.
Unprocessed Foods Have Antioxidants Too Many processed and refined sugars and starches are acidic and can promote bloating and intestinal gas, which are one of the main symptoms of IBS. To keep bloating under control, individuals need to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. For a healthy diet that is free from bloating and gas, individuals should eat spinach, kale, squash, sweet potatoes, and red peppers. To add color and flavor to the vegetables, individuals should eat a wide variety of green and yellow vegetables. These vegetables have natural antioxidants that attack free radicals in our body and help to reduce the risk of developing IBS.
Our food supply is getting more unhealthy every day. Junk food, fast food, and processed foods are slowly overtaking what we used to have available. However, if people only knew the benefits of eating real, healthy food, they would start to realize how important it is to have a healthy immune system. By adding more foods high in dietary fibre and antioxidants, individuals can keep their immune system healthy and reduce the risks of developing IBS.
