Boost Your Immune System With Tailored Meals
Many people have compromised immune systems due to genetics, illness, or injury. In these situations, eating a nutritious diet can help boost immunity. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “The nutritional status of an individual can predict the clinical course and outcome of some infections, such as pneumonia.” In addition, “Resistance to infections can be improved by adding the deficient nutrients within an optimal diet, resulting in restored immune functions.” LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers home-delivered, immune-boosting meals to help individuals strengthen their immune systems while improving overall health and wellness.
How Does Diet Impact Your Immune Response?
The foods people eat directly impact their overall wellness and ability to fight infection. Nourishing foods provide the immune system with micronutrients. The immune system requires a balance of vitamins and minerals to function optimally. A person’s diet also affects inflammatory responses related to the immune system. Individuals with compromised immune systems must maintain a healthy diet to reduce their risk of contracting a severe illness or infection.
Diet enhances the body’s ability to fight infection by doing the following:
- Providing the body with essential nutrients, including antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
- Improving gut health and strengthening the gut-brain connection
- Increasing fluid retention and hydration
- Providing the body with enough protein to keep cells healthy
Many factors contribute to a healthy immune system, including diet, activity level, hydration, stress management, sleep quality, and vaccination status. People with compromised immune systems benefit from staying up-to-date on vaccinations in addition to following recommended dietary guidelines. Living a health-conscious life contributes to optimal immunity and overall wellness. LifeSpring Home Nutrition provides individuals with access to delicious, nutrient-rich foods to boost their immune system responses.
The Role of the Immune System
Infection, illness, and injury can affect a person’s health and wellness status. The immune system response determines how the body reacts to health threats. According to the Institute of Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiC), “If germs get past the skin or mucous membranes and enter the body, the innate immune system fights them using special immune system cells and proteins.” The immune system is linked to many systems throughout the body. If something damages the immune system in any way, it may not respond as effectively.
The immune system is responsible for doing the following:
- Defending the body against infection
- Protecting the body’s cells
- Recording any germ that has invaded the body
The immune system consists of various organs, special proteins, and cells. Dietary changes are often necessary to support individuals with chronic health issues affecting the immune system.
How Do Home-Delivered Meals Improve Your Immune System?
Everyone’s immune system is unique. LifeSpring Home Nutrition tailors home-delivered meals to meet each person’s nutritional needs, making these meal plans ideal for people with compromised health. Individuals recovering from surgery, illness, injury, or other significant events impacting the immune system may benefit from receiving medically tailored meals (MTMs) prescribed by a medical professional.
Home-delivered meals help boost the immune system by doing the following:
- Facilitating consistent, high-quality meals
- Providing the body with essential micronutrients
- Ensuring the body has the right kind of protein to reinforce the immune system
According to a publication by the Institute of Medicine (U.S.) Committee on Military Nutrition Research, studies have shown that “[p]rofound changes in immune responses have been observed in micronutrient deficiencies.” Consistent nutritional intake is important for a healthy immune system response. Too much or too little of specific vitamins, minerals, and fats can significantly affect the immune system.
Foods That Boost the Immune System
Certain micronutrients are essential to the immune response, including the following:
- Zinc
- Iron
- Copper
- Selenium
- Vitamins A, B, C, D, and E
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Probiotics
Whole grains, fish, legumes, green vegetables, berries, yogurt, and citrus fruit are excellent sources of essential micronutrients.
LifeSpring Home Nutrition Offers a Wide Range of Meal Options
The meals offered at LifeSpring Home Nutrition include dishes meant to support the immune system. Individuals with chronic health issues often find the reliable schedule of home-delivered meals helpful in managing the symptoms and side effects of their condition. People benefit from creating healthy routines surrounding eating. Often, preventable health issues are the result of unintended malnutrition. Using community-based services to create a healthy diet and routine helps ensure overall wellness.
Eating regular healthy meals does the following:
- Encourages people to develop a more positive relationship with food
- Reduces the risk of preventable conditions, including heart disease
- Improves digestion and supports gut health
Gut health affects the immune system. According to Nutrients, “With 70–80% of immune cells being present in the gut, there is an intricate interplay between the intestinal microbiota, the intestinal epithelial layer, and the local mucosal immune system.” Eating foods that promote gut health improves immune responses. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers dozens of meals for people to choose from that support gut health. Individuals who eat immune-boosting meals have a healthier brain-gut connection and experience fewer preventable diseases.
The immune system helps people stay healthy and avoid falling ill when exposed to viruses, bacteria, and other potential contaminants. Meals intended to boost the immune system provide the body and mind with essential fortification. Some people’s immune response may cause added inflammation or other issues, and dietary changes reduce any potential discomfort or side effects. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers immune-boosting meals full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients meant to enrich the body and promote overall wellness. Everyone deserves access to personalized meal plans designed to support a healthy diet. To learn more about the meals we offer or how to receive weekly home-delivered meals, call our office today at (800) 798-5767.