How Your Diet Affects Your Immune System

Consuming "toxic" foods like fried or junk foods can be hazardous to our health. When toxins enter our bloodstream they act upon our body cells, manifesting as disease. Chronic irritation makes that area of the body hypersensitive, causing it to react against things that normally wouldn't bother it. For example dust, feathers, fur, foods, etc. However if we work on improving digestion, detoxification can lead to desensitization.

Hidden Clues To Allergies

• Anything consumed daily is a potential allergen as it depletes enzymes within the body that normally break down those foods

• Craving certain foods with immediate relief upon consuming them can signify an sensitivity to that food

• Craving for something sweet after a protein heavy meal may also be an indication for allergies

Common food allergens

• Wheat

• Dairy

• Eggs

• Soy

• Shellfish

• Nuts

• Nightshades

• Yeast

• Oranges

Leaky Gut

Another symptom at play that may be presenting as an allergic reaction within the body is leaky gut. Poor diet, digestion, stress and toxins will eventually lead to inflammation in the body. This inflammation can lead to increased intestinal permeability. This then allows large or poorly digested proteins to get into our bloodstream, and can be mistaken for an invader by our immune system. This false alarm can result in overly reactive immune system which may cause allergic reactions. Refraining from consuming these foods may improve symptoms initially but if the digestive process isn't supported, and inflammation reduced, more allergies will develop.

Signs of an Impaired Immunity

Beyond allergies and food sensitivities, other signs that our immune system may be compromised are:

• Infections

• Slow wound healing

• Inflammation

• Eczema/Psoriasis

• Autoimmune diseases

• Fatigue

If you have any of these symptoms or been diagnosed with any of these conditions, then it may be time to consider a change in diet or lifestyle. Some things that may be leading to an impaired immunity include:

• Stress/lack of sleep

• Poor nutrition

• Malabsorption/poor digestion

• Dysbiosis

• Sluggish liver

• Skin disorders

• Drugs

• Toxins/pollutants/infections

• Lack of exercise

How to Support Immune System with Diet and Lifestyle

So once you suspect you may be dealing with an impaired immune system, whether from allergens, leaky gut or poor health, you can help support your immune system by making these changes to your diet:

• Consume anti-microbial foods like garlic and onions

• Drink pure filtered water to reduce toxicity

• Eat meals that are high in fiber to improve gut health and elimination of toxins

• Include dark green leafy vegetables for their high nutrient value and enzymatic content. Zinc is one of the best nutrients for immune health and is found abundantly in green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale.

• Antioxidant like berries and vegetables are fantastic at lowering inflammation normally stimulated during the histamine response

• Avoid food sensitivities and trans-fats

• Reduce refined carbohydrates

You can also look at supplementing with:

• Probiotics for optimal gut health and digestion. Our certified nutritionist recommend this brand

• Omega 3 oil is something we always recommend for reduction in inflammation within the body. Its an essential fatty acid that the body requires for many functions and is crucial for immune health. We recommend this product

• Antioxidants have been proven to reduce inflammation in the body while fighting toxin damage. We would always recommend gaining these from your diet where possible, but supplementing with vitamins A,C and E, Zinc and selenium can really help to boost the immune system.

Add these to your lifestyle:

• Exercise - get moving to reduce weight and promote blood flow. The lymphatic system does not have a pump so movement is the only way to help it circulate. Daily exercise will keep you healthy, that is a fact!

• Use stress reduction techniques every day to lower inflammation in the body and reduce allergic symptoms. We love to recommend relaxing yoga, breathing techniques, meditation, and hot Epsom Salt baths. What's your go to?

If you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, its imperative not to boost your immune system as this will exacerbate your issues. If in any doubt, speak to your physician before adding or removing any new foods to your diet.