Boost your immune system from home
How a healthy diet is a natural immune booster
Nutrition plays an integral role in helping our bodies fight diseases, highlighting our need to live healthier lifestyles.
The immune system in a nutshell
The human body is a wonderfully complex collection of tissues, organs, and chemical processes keeping our systems going, with every function running on its own set of predictable chemical reactions.
The immune system is the vigilante of the body, constantly lying in wait to fight invading pathogens. So, once it detects a threat in the form of bacteria or a virus, the immune system jumps into action to neutralise it.
However, just like a police officer, the immune response relies on a list of factors, including stress levels, genetics, physical fitness, medication, body weight, gut microbiome, and nutritional status.
Important nutrients for immune health
Ever made a B-line for a vitamin C tablet when you get the sniffles? That’s because it’s an essential micronutrient, or soldier, helping your body fight disease. But it’s not the only soldier in the immune army…
A healthy, balanced diet should provide the energy and nutrients needed for a strong and healthy body. The vitamins and minerals we consume all support the chemical reactions that keep the wheels in our bodies turning.
Important vitamins and minerals for the immune system include:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
- Folate
- Iron
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Copper
- Magnesium
While all these micronutrients are great for immune health, two are the stars of the show: vitamin D and zinc.
Vitamin D for stronger immunity
Vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin” because our bodies can naturally produce the nutrient when the skin is exposed to the sun. In fact, the sun is our best source of the vitamin, and there are only a handful of food sources containing it, namely dairy, eggs, fish, and organ meats such as liver and kidney.
Our immune system uses vitamin D in several ways that contribute to the immune response. A study published in February 2022 about the association between the body’s vitamin D status and COVID-19 infection revealed that people who are vitamin D deficient before contracting the disease are more likely to suffer severe symptoms and are at greater risk of death.
Why zinc is good for the immune system
Zinc is a mineral found in meat, legumes, and nuts, and it supports the cells in an immune response and helps promote wound healing. Zinc reduces oxidative stress and inflammation linked to the development of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular (heart) disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
What’s more, having enough zinc in your diet can help lower your risk of developing cancer or neurodegenerative diseases.
It all starts with your diet
Your diet influences not only your energy levels but also the nourishment your body receives from nutritional chemicals, vitamins, and minerals. The best way to ensure your immune system functions properly is to give your body the nutrients it needs – and the app can help.
We design your meal plan to complement your nutritional needs, ensuring you have the energy and nutrients needed to live a fit, strong, healthy lifestyle.