6 Natural Immunity Boosting Foods Present in the Kitchen

What is immunity? Immunity is the human body's ability to fight against any unwanted foreign bodies and objects that might harm the body. A shield against the organisms and substances that invade body systems and cause disease, immunity is essential for the multi-cell organisms.

The immune system is a collection of cells, tissues, and organs that work in sync to protect the body. Essentially the white blood cells also known as leukocytes build and destroy the disease-causing organisms.

These cells are usually present in body organs and tissues that are known as the lymphoid organs and lymph nodes. The lymphoid organs are thymus; spleen and bone marrow store the white blood cells.

Lymph nodes are present throughout the body that are the lymphoid tissues that are home to leukocytes. They are the small, bean-shaped clumps of immune system cells that are connected by the lymphatic vessels.

They hold the ability to fight the blood cells that trap viruses, bacteria and other invaders including cancer cells. From the two types of the leukocytes, phagocytes chew the invaders while the body's ability to remember a certain invader (bacteria, etc) is through the lymphocytes.

Naturally Acquired Passive Immunity:

The naturally acquired immunity is the antibody-mediated immunity conveyed by the mother to the fetus during the third month of the gestation. The process is performed through the placenta that transfers the maternal antibodies (MatAb) to the fetus by the receptors on placenta cells. Passive immunity can also be provided through breast milk after birth to the newborn.

Artificially Acquired Passive Immunity:

The immunity is acquired through Vaccination that allows the body to be protected against the disease-causing organisms. Immunity derived from the artificial sources lasts for a short period and there is also a potential risk of hypersensitivity reactions.

In the absence of immunity or a weaker immunity, the immunization process does not take place properly which means that the body is unable to fight against the diseases. A weak immune system can be a result of various factors and conditions including:

• Primary Immune Deficiency: A condition where the human being is born with a weak immune system.

• Acquired Immune Deficiency: A condition where a disease weakens the immune system.

• Autoimmune Disease: A disease where the immune system turns against the body and attacks the healthy cells in the body.

Immunity boosters are anything that one can consume to ensure that they have increasing levels of white blood cells. While there are some of the ingredients that one can include in their diet to help boost immunity naturally:

1. Citrus Fruits: Rich in Vitamin C, the citrus fruits hold the power to increase the white blood cells that help build a strong immune system. Fruits like oranges, grapefruit, mandarins, lemons, and limes are usually what people turn to in conditions of colds and infections.

2. Ginger: A well-known hack for fighting the cramping, nausea, and travel sickness, ginger is usually used to provide treatment. The anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties in ginger are beneficial to improve the condition of the body. Ginger as an ingredient is an easy option as it can be used in the daily diet as a spice or a hint in the smoothies or the morning tea.

3. Pineapple: Again, a rich source of vitamin C, the pineapple is a healthy and tasty ingredient that can be used in different forms to build immunity. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can ward off damage to healthy cells. The antioxidants are the molecules that help the body combat oxidative stress.

4. Yogurt: Robotic yogurt contains bacteria that are healthy for the system as they support the immune system. The healthy ingredient is useful in boosting the digestive system and helps in keeping the mind healthy. Serving the yogurt with some stewed food can boost Vitamin C while served with seeds can boost Zinc that ultimately leads to increased white cells in the body and improve immunity.

5. Almonds: Nuts like Almonds have Vitamin E that is a fat-soluble vitamin that requires the presence of fat to be absorbed properly. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that can modulate host immune functions.

6. Turmeric: A spice that is famous in the Indian household and is used in everyday cooking holds the power to boost immunity. The curcumin rich ingredient is a potent immunomodulatory agent that can modulate the activation of the cells that boost immunity.

While, artificially acquired immunity is induced by a vaccine, a substance with an antigen which activates when it detects any disease-causing substance, one can naturally boost their immunity as with the ingredients present in the kitchen. These food items are rich in vitamins that will increase the number of white blood cells present in the human body.