What Are Antioxidants?
The immune system is our body’s natural defense against disease causing micro-organisms. It identifies any foreign element like bacteria or viruses that invade the body and destroys them effectively.
But in some cases, the defense mechanism of the immune system is lowered or weakened due to excessive oxidative stress and damage caused by free radicals. This is where the health benefits of antioxidants come into play.
Antioxidants help in fighting free radical damage by increasing the production of antibodies and white blood cells that boost the immune system.
It also increased the production of B-cells and T-cells that fights the foreign elements and revokes the damage caused by toxins.
Results of a Weak Immune System
Weakened immune system can lead to several diseases and health conditions such as:
- Asthma and allergies
- Immune Deficiency Diseases
- Autoimmune Diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, IBS (Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome), etc.
Antioxidant Rich Foods:
The best way to boost the immune system is to supply it with powerful antioxidants that help in recovering the cell damage caused by free radicals. Some of the most effective natural sources of antioxidants are as follows:
Green Tea:
Green tea is a rich source of polyphenols, powerful plant source of best natural antioxidants that play an important role in boosting immunity.
The natural chemical catechin, a specific kind of polyphenol present in green tea works effectively in fighting influenza virus.
The most powerful antioxidants in green tea is EGCG (epigallocatechin) that works more effectively than vitamin E and C in preventing cell damage and protecting their genetic material.
Green tea extract has been shown to prevent rheumatoid arthritis.
The use of antioxidants of green tea can be utilized either directly from the tea or from antioxidant supplements that contain green tea as one of their active ingredients.
Grape Seed Extract:
Grape seed extract is a rich source of antioxidants that help in strengthening and it has vitamins to improve immune system.
The flavonoid phytonutrients present in grape seed extract along with the polyphenol resveratrol helps in protecting the cells and the DNA against the harmful effects of the free radicals.
Grape seed extract also helps in boosting the functions of the Th2 immune system. In addition, grape seed extract also prevents other health conditions like heart diseases, arthritis, osteoporosis, edema, eye problems and digestive problems.
Combined Benefits of Green Tea and Grape Seed Extract:
Although it is possible to utilize the health benefits of grape seed extracts from grape seed oil, the most effective way of boosting the immune system with grape seed extract is using it orally in the form of tablets or supplements.
Tomatoes:
Ripe juicy tomatoes not only make great sauces and salads but acts as an effective immunity enhancer. The lycopene present in tomatoes is a carotenoid that is responsible for its bright red color.
Lycopene plays an important role in reviving weakened immune system and reducing the risk of prostate and lung cancer.
Lycopene controls the level of cholesterol in the blood and prevents chronic health conditions like osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Garlic:
This common culinary ingredient is well known for its strong flavors and the health benefits of garlic need no new emphasis. It is also considered to be as the best natural antioxidants.
Medicinal value of garlic is immense, and it has been used for ages for treating various ailments and health conditions. It is a powerful immunity boosting food that has an amazing infection-fighting capacity.
The compounds allicin, ajoene and thiosulfinates present in garlic helps the immune system to fight infection-causing bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It stimulates the growth of white blood cells and stimulates the production of an antibody that fights infections and diseases.
The antioxidant in garlic reduces oxidative stress and revokes the damage caused by free radicals. It improves cardiovascular health by preventing the platelets from sticking together and keeping the blood vessels unblocked.
While chewing 2-3 cloves of garlic daily is an effective way of boosting immunity, most people will not want to try it because of its overpowering smell.
It is possible to derive the benefits of garlic while cutting out the smell by consuming garlic oil in the form of oral capsules or supplements.
INLIFE’s Garlic Oil Capsule is a 100% natural and safe way of boosting immunity effectively.
Each liquid filled capsule contains 500mg of pure garlic oil that helps in improving immune defense, digestive health, controlling cholesterol level in blood and reducing acidity.
Berries:
Dark berries are a great source of bioflavonoids, phytochemicals and vitamin C that works as powerful antioxidants that prevents cell damage and recovers the damage caused by harmful free radicals.
Anthocyanins present in dark berries such as blackcurrants, blueberries and blackberries protect against the inflammation of macrophages.
It is best to consume a mixture of various kinds of berries rather than sticking to any one type for optimum working of the immune system.
Organic Eggs:
Organic eggs are one of the best sources of high-quality nutrients, proteins and fats that help in improving immunity.
It is packed with essential amino acids, lutein, zeaxanthin, choline, vitamin A, E, B12, carotene, tryptophan, omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants all of which helps in proper functioning of the immune system.
While the proteins rejuvenate the damaged cells, tissues, muscles and internal organs, lutein and zeaxanthin helps in improving eye health, choline improves brain functions and workings of the nervous and cardio-vascular system.