Vegetables and Herbs That Boost Your Immune System Cruciferous vegetables are the gold standard in immune-boosting vegetables. Although all vegetables have nutrients and some protective powers, for these vegetables, it’s off the charts. Cruciferous vegetables have a special chemical composition: They have sulfur-containing compounds that are responsible for their pungent flavors. When they’re broken down by biting, blending, or chopping, a chemical reaction occurs that converts these sulfur-containing compounds into isothiocyanates (ITCs). ITCs prevent and knock out cancer and have infinite proven immune-boosting capabilities. They contain antiviral and antibacterial agents that keep you disease free. Adding the following cruciferous vegetables to your daily plate is like taking an anticancer pill: arugula, beet greens, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, radishes, red cabbage, turnip greens, or watercress. Garlic is surely one of the world’s most potent medicines, and its potent smell is what makes it so powerful. The active ingredient allicin turns into organosulfurs, which are the compounds that keep your cells safe from all the destructive cellular processes that can cause major chronic diseases. Garlic is a natural antiseptic; it prevents cancer, fights infection, and prevents colds. Research also states that garlic may prevent or decrease chronic diseases associated with age, such as atherosclerosis, stroke, cancer, immune disorders, brain aging, cataracts, and arthritis. Onions are rich in quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that may reduce the risk of cancer. Like garlic, onions also contain the amazing compound allicin. Red and purple onions containanthocyanins, the same antioxidants that make berries so robust in healing powers. In addition to being extraordinary at preventing and healing cancer, the quercetin contained in onion makes them a safe therapy for allergies; it also helps prevent heart disease and reduce high blood pressure. The power of mushrooms comes from their ability to enhance the activity of natural killer T cells (NKT). These NKTs attack and remove cells that are damaged or infected by a virus. Mushrooms are associated with decreasing most cancers and significantly reducing the risk of breast cancer in women. They prevent DNA damage, slow cancer or tumor growth, and prevent tumors from acquiring a blood supply. Tomatoes are also the richest source of the exceptionally potent antioxidantlycopene, a substance that prevents cancer, particularly cancer of the prostate. Tomatoes also have high levels of beta carotene, an antioxidant that supports the immune system. They have high dietary fiber and taste delicious raw or cooked. Beets are an amazing blood purifier. Beets are rich in iron and produce the disease-fighting white blood cells. They also stimulate red blood cells and improve the supply of oxygen to the cells. Beets prevent cancer and heart disease, and the detoxifying properties make them good for your organs. Beets are also high in fiber and nourishing for digestive health. Spinach (Khda/Dantha) is rich in beta carotene, which the body transforms into vitamin A, triggering your immune response to keep you well. Spinach prevents cancer and heart disease and is rich in the disease-fighting mineral zinc. The vitamin C helps you resist colds and infection and keeps your skin healthy; the B vitamins keep you calm and more energetic. Ginger(Adrak) is the king of all natural digestive aids. It relieves nausea and vomiting, settles the stomach, and eases the discomfort from gas and bloating. Research shows that ginger is one of the most effective remedies available for motion sickness, even more so than over-the-counter medications. Ginger is a miracle for the nausea-induced morning sickness of pregnancy or post surgeries or the delayed nausea associated with chemotherapy treatment. Because ginger is rich in phytonutrients called gingerols, which are antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory, ginger is a great helper in the treatment of migraine headaches, arthritis, and asthma. . Peppermint (Pudina) relaxes your intestinal tract, which makes mint wonderful for intestinal discomfort, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Peppermint calms indigestion, and, because it’s rich in menthol, it eases nasal congestion and respiratory discomfort to help you breathe easier. It also kills the bacteria that cause tooth decay and plaque buildup. Red bell pepper (Lal mirch) is bursting with vitamin C, making it a powerful immune builder. Red bell pepper’s high level of beta carotene turns into vitamin A, making it a strong defense against disease. Although green and yellow peppers are certainly healthy, they’re more superfoodish. Although they both have similar amounts of vitamin C, red bell peppers have quite a bit more of the superstar beta carotene. Sweet potatoes are far superior than the run-of-the-mill white potato. The orange variety contains beta carotene, which makes them filled with robust antioxidant, antiviral, and anticancer abilities. They’re also full of fiber and the vitamin E they contain is healthy for the skin. Parsley contains an antioxidant called apigenin, which helps other antioxidants work better. Parsley has so many healing powers; it’s amazing. Parsley is used as a diuretic, can reduce high blood pressure, and is a natural agent to fight cancer, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes. As you can see, parsley is much more than a garnish! Curry(zeera,dhania,methi ,mustard, etc) is a standard spice used in India to control diabetes, prevent or treat heart disease, infection, age-related memory loss, and inflammation. Curry has powerful antioxidants called carbazole alkaloids that are abundant only in curry leaf and are responsible for preventing cell damage, which causes disease and premature aging. Turmeric (haldi) is a cornucopia of healing; it holds promise in about every area of disease prevention and healing imaginable. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. This ingredient is so diverse and so deep in its antioxidant power that it’s been shown to protect and heal virtually every organ in the human body. Turmeric protects against cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, eye diseases, depression, skin problems, and more. So amazing is this spice that research at Tufts University showed turmeric may prevent weight gain. Wow! Black pepper (Gol mirch/kali mirch) is a great spice to turbo jump your digestion. Pepper helps move food along the colon at a good pace, called your bowel transit time, and the quicker and smoother the ride, the healthier your colon. Black pepper’s healing power is attributed to piperines, which are the compounds that give you that zing when you eat some. Black pepper also helps prevent and treat cancer and reduces the compounds known to worsen the inflammation of arthritis — providing much pain relief for arthritis sufferers. Cinnamon’s active ingredient cinnamaldehyde enables it to decrease blood sugar, total cholesterol, and triglycerides as well as increase good cholesterol. Cinnamon balances blood sugar long term and stops spikes in blood sugar after a meal. It improves your body’s sensitivity to insulin and lowers risk factors for pre-diabetes. Also, this wonderful spice is helpful in the treatment of cancer because it may slow the development of new blood supplies to tumors. Delicious and versatile, cinnamon is good stuff!
Posted on: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 09:34:42 +0000
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