While we leave 2020 behind and settle into 2021, the world is not out of the woods yet. There is still a pandemic. But until then, it is extremely important that you take care of yourself by making sure to wear a mask, wash your hands often, and use hand sanitizer and practice social distancing if you have to leave your home. While you're working to stay healthy, be sure to implement these superfoods and supplements into your diet to boost your immune system.

Are There Really Immune-Boosting Foods? Absolutely

The safest, healthy way to boost your immune system is through your diet. The foods that you put into your body matter. Take a look at some food and superfoods below that would be a great place to start.

1. Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken soup has always been the best go-to food in the winter, not necessarily due to its comforting properties, but because chicken soup has an effect on calming down inflammation in the upper respiratory tract due to its anti-inflammatory effects and also helps clear a stuffy nose. 

2. Ginger Tea — Superfood

Ginger tea is a staple of common cold and digestive issues. Ginger root is a potent anti-inflammatory that can offer powerful immune boosting properties and is widely used to combat colds and flu. Ginger can be added to food or have some ginger tea and honey.

3. Turmeric — Superfood

Turmeric is an orange spice that contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound. Curcumin activates the production of T-cells, which are the main fighting cells protecting your immune system. 

4. Oranges

Oranges are filled with vitamin C, which is essential when you're not feeling so great, and it's also an immune booster that can also help to prevent or decrease the severity and duration of a cold.

5. Wild Salmon

Wild salmon is packed with zinc, which has been proven to reduce common cold symptoms, according to The Journal of Family Practice.

What About Upcycled Foods?

Upcycled foods are perfectly good foods that are not aesthetically pleasing to the eye and would not be placed on your grocery store shelves but would most likely be thrown out. When you upcycle you're basically transforming the ingredients into an edible meal.

Consider Supplements

Now's a great time to load up on nutrients like vitamin C, as well as to practice hygiene measures like proper hand-washing.

What we eat is incredibly important in the scope of how our immune system responds to and defends itself against pathogens. Micronutrients such as: 

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin B complex
• Zinc
• Selenium 

These vitamin supplements can aid in ramping up two fundamental parts of your body's defense system. Innate and adaptive immune systems are your first lines of defense. The innate immune system comes out swinging to distract while the adaptive immune system transmits killer T cells and antibodies along with a host of other soldiers to eradicate the attack. 

How well you're able to kick-start your immune system through nutrients depends on a few factors such as: 

• Age 
• Overall health
• Stress Levels

Thermography is a tool mainly used for imaging and evaluating breast health. However, it also has a wide spectrum of other uses due to its ability to see inflammation in the body. 

Inflammation is a forerunner to many diseases such as: 

• Heart disease 
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Cancer

If you've been feeling like you may have upper respiratory inflammation, stress and are ready to change your diet for the better, or just have some questions about your immune system health, or your health in general, speak with one of our specialists at CT Thermography. 

We may perform a full-body thermography scan to check for inflammation and any other foreign substance, and don't worry, we'll discuss how it helps to uncover immune dysfunction. Contact us to schedule your consultation today. In the meantime, take a look at our blog over here.