How to support immunity through diet without the use of drugs?

How to boost immunity through diet without the use of drugs ?

Imagine that the immune system acts as a kind of protective shield for our body, defending us from attacks by foreign pathogens. More and more doctors and scientists these days are focusing just on linking the immune system with the occurrence of various diseases.

Weakened or excessive immunity?

It is not only diseases caused by external pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, chlamydia and toxins, but also diseases caused by an overreaction of the immune system. This includes, in particular, allergies, where the immune system mistakenly evaluates a harmless external stimulus, such as pollen, as a foreign substance that needs to be fought. As a result, it triggers a disproportionately vigorous immune response in the body.

Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases manifest themselves when our immune system starts to evaluate our own and harmless cells as hostile and starts to attack and gradually destroy them. These autoimmune reactions of the body thus gradually build up a hypersensitivity similar to allergies, where the body reacts to various substances that it should normally ignore and starts attacking parts of our body. Immune system problems are thus the deeper cause of a whole host of diseases such as Crohn's disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis, scleroderma, type 1 diabetes and many others.

What about Chinese medicine?

According to traditional Chinese medicine, all diseases are a manifestation of an imbalance between Yin and Yang in our body. Three organs in particular ensure the proper functioning of the immune system: the Spleen, Kidneys and Lungs. The Spleen provides energy (Qi) and creates fuel (blood) for normal life, the Kidneys store the energy and essence we inherit from our ancestors, and the Lungs regulate the pores on the skin to prevent the entry of external pathogens.

How to recognize the weakening of these three organs?

A person with a weakened Spleen is often tired, has pale skin, may suffer from lack of appetite, bloating and soft stools. If the Yang Kidney is weakened, he or she may be cold, have cold extremities, difficulty urinating and loss of libido. If Yin Kidney is absent, it is associated with various manifestations of weakness, night sweats, hot flashes or fertility problems. Weakness of the Lungs may cause coughing or breathing difficulties, a tendency to sadness or increased tearfulness, or even a reluctance to speak or a weak voice.

How to strengthen the immune system through diet and lifestyle changes according to the principles of Chinese medicine?

Here are some general rules on how to strengthen your immune system:

According to traditional Chinese medicine, it is important to eat regularly, at the same times. But beware of eating too often (every two hours), which can overload the spleen. The Spleen has to constantly expend energy to digest food and soon becomes exhausted.
Eat no more than 3-4 portions a day, not more often, so that the Spleen has enough time to rest and recover between digestions. It is important that Spleen rests for a minimum of 12 hours, which means that nightly raiding of the fridge is not beneficial to her at all.
Prefer good quality foods with sufficient nutrients and avoid industrially processed products with additives.
Eat a varied diet.
Drink hot water throughout the day.

Spleen is the basis of our immunity

For weakened immunity, focus on strengthening the Spleen Qi. Thus, your diet should include simple and tasty meals, composed of quite a few ingredients. It should therefore be based on complex carbohydrates with good quality protein and lightly cooked vegetables. When preparing food, it is very important to maintain a balance between cooking and the nutritional properties of the food. They should not be overcooked to a mush, but rather lightly cooked to keep them crisp. So while leafy and tender vegetables such as beans or broccoli can be cooked lightly, root vegetables and grains will retain their shape, texture and Qi even after prolonged slow cooking.

However, if you want to get the best quality Qi from your diet, always choose ingredients that are fresh, full of life, and pleasing to the tongue as well as the eye. Local, seasonal foods have the best Qi.

The process of digestion

The digestion process starts in the mouth, so it is important to chew the food thoroughly and enjoy it. Food must be enjoyed because strict or monotonous diets can weaken the Spleen. At the same time, it is important not to underestimate the preparation of the food itself, because food prepared with love and care tastes better than food bought in a shop or prepared in haste or with disgust. Although not everyone has the time to cook these days, dedication to one's own nutrition is an important part of the healing process. All of this can have a significant impact on strengthening the Spleen and the overall quality of Qi. Therefore, at least on the weekend, take the time to prepare quality food such as nutritious soups, vegetable and meat broths, or juices from stews and vegetables.

Which foods strengthen the Spleen?

Neutral or warm sweet tastes: These foods include light cereals, especially white rice andrice porridge (congee), glutinous (sweet rice), oats, roasted barley, spelt, sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, celery, parsnips, pumpkin, black beans, corn, kidney beans, walnuts, peas, yams, compote, chicken, beef or lamb, liver, kidney beans, anchovies, tuna, mackerel.

Pungent tastes (should be eaten in small quantities): these foods include garlic, onions, peppers, leeks, fennel, turnips, fresh ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and kitchen spices.

Complex sweet tastes: these foods include dates, molasses, barley malt or rice syrup, palm sugar. All these foods should also be consumed in limited quantities.

Cereals

Which foods weaken the Spleen?

Raw and uncooked foods of a cold nature: These foods include salads, raw vegetables, raw fruits (this includes squeezed juice, especially from citrus fruits), tomatoes, sprouts and cereal sprouts, wheat, chard, tofu, spinach, seaweed, salt, brown rice, beer, vitamin C in more than 1-2 grams per day, large amounts of sugary foods and industrial sweeteners, antibiotics.

Moisture-producing and moisture-retaining foods: these include dairy products (except small amounts of yogurt or butter), ice cream, chocolate, refined sugar, nuts and seeds (except walnuts) and nut butters.

Vital mushrooms for weakened or overreacting immunity

Vital mushrooms deserve special attention in weakened or overreacting immunity, as they can both strengthen immunity and regulate its reactions. These include Hericium, Reishi, Cordyceps, Agaricus, Coprinus, Shiitake, Japanese Enoki or Maitake. Their effects are nowadays used in the form of 30% extracts mainly for cancer problems, while they are used as an adjunctive treatment in chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

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