Our immune systems have performed wonders for many years and will continue to do so as long as we maintain our health. Our mode of life itself, the way we live, is emerging as today's principal cause of illness. Dr. Joel Elkes, director of Behavioral Medicine at the University of Louisville What we eat and drink and how we live are key factors in keeping our immune system running at optimal capacity. Recent research on the immune system has demonstrated the importance of vitamins A, C, and E and the minerals zinc and selenium. Vitamins A, C and E are important for the formation of white blood cells.
Selenium stimulates formation of antibodies to combact viruses and bacteria.
Bad choices weaken our bodies and our immune systems while good choices strengthen our bodies and our immune systems. Other factors, such as age and heredity, also play a part but their role is much less important than the part we play in our lifestyle choices . Eat a sensible diet including the recommended five daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Junk foods and processed foods are low in vitamins and often contain chemicals that weaken the body. They are also high in fat, which places additional stress on the body and increases our risk of cancer and heart disease.