How to boost your immunity system in winter, Health Tips in Winter,

Boost your immunity system in winter

Your body’s immune system is more powerful than you probably imagine. How powerful, you ask? Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania recently took immune cells from three patients with leukemia, then genetically altered them into “serial killer” cells, designed to attack one tumor cell, then another and another. The study was small and the treatment . Could this treatment work for other types of cancer? Maybe. Much, much (much) more research is needed, but this study suggests that with the right kind of prodding, your immune system can fight ridiculously hard-to-battle toplady killersand keep you healthy. Granted, gene therapy is pretty serious prodding, but there are relatively simple steps you should take every day to strengthen your immune system, especially as we head into the sniffle season. Some of the best:-

1.Consider probiotics
Studies indicate supplements reduce the incidence of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.  Fermented milk products have also been shown to reduce respiratory infections in adults and kids.

2.Coconut Oil 
Coconut oil contains lauric acid which likes to dissolve the lipid barriers of harmful viruses and bacteria. This makes it great for internal and external use during cold and flu season. Use it as lotion to create a barrier on your skin, include it in your cooking, and even take a spoonful once in a while. There are so many more ways to use coconut oil too. Use it as a facial cleanser, add some to your tea, or dab a bit in each nostril to keep from getting bloody noses and give your mucus a bit more germ blocking power.

3.Garlic
Garlic is found in almost every cuisine around the world. It adds a little zing to food and it's a must-have for your health. Early civilizations recognized its value for fighting infections. Studies by the National Institute of Food Science and Technology have shown that garlic helps to lower cholesterol and may prevent hardening of arteries. Garlic’s immune-boosting properties seem to come from a heavy concentration of sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin.

4.Spinach
Spinach made our list not just because it's rich in vitamin C but also because it's packed with numerous antioxidants and beta-carotene, which may increase the infection-fighting capability of our immune systems. Similar to broccoli, it’s best cooked as little as possible so that its nutrients are retained.

4.Ginger
Ginger is another ingredient many turn to after they've caught a cold. But like vitamin C, ginger may also help prevent that cold from taking hold in the first place. While it's used in many sweet desserts, ginger packs some heat in the form of gingerol, a relative of capsaicin. Capsaicin gives chili peppers their distinctive heat. Ginger may help decrease chronic pain and may possess cholesterol-lowering properties, according to recent studies.

5.Zinc
Pumpkin seeds are a staple during fall and it turns out that may help prevent and cut short the duration of many colds. Don’t overdo it though. Too much zinc begins to impair immune function. The sweet spot is less than 30mg a day. Spinach, nuts, beans, mushrooms, and dark chocolate are good sources of zinc too.

6.Oats and Barley
These grains contain beta-glucan, a type of fiber with antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities more potent than echinacea, reports a Norwegian study. When animals eat this compound, they're less likely to contract influenza, herpes, even anthrax; in humans, it boosts immunity, speeds wound healing, and may help antibiotics work better.

7.Natural Vitamin C 
There is little evidence that supplemental vitamin C actually helps with colds or flu, but that may not hold true for the natural forms found in foods. Synthetic vitamin C found in supplements is just a part of a complex of compounds. Natural vitamin C from whole foods is a vital antioxidant that is used throughout the body. Citrus and red bell peppers are two of your best places to find it.