Posts Tagged ‘immune system’
Recommendations to Strengthen Defenses
Recommendations to strengthen our defenses:
- Eat a varied diet based on fresh and rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Resorting to the baths of alternating temperature (cold, hot) that stimulate blood and lymph circulation and strengthens the body.
- Use, if necessary, herbs that help boost immunity (echinacea, thyme, rose hips, garlic, black currant leaves, buckthorn, etc.)..
- Sleep enough hours to support the proper functioning of our immune system.
- Perform regular physical activity of moderate intensity (brisk walking, swimming, biking, etc.).. Read the rest of this entry »
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Food and Immune System: Nutrients
Nutrients directly related to the immune system
Vitamin C increases the production of interferon (a substance that prevents cell to a wide range of viruses cause infection), so that immunity can be enhanced. In addition, this vitamin is needed to form collagen, an essential component of cell membranes, so that vitamin C helps maintain the natural barriers against infection.
Food Sources: Guava, kiwi, mango, pineapple, persimmon, citrus, melon, strawberries, berries, peppers, tomatoes, vegetables of the cabbage family, fruits and vegetables in general.
Vitamin E studies have shown to increase the immune response (administered 200 mg/day of vitamin A to people who did not follow a healthy diet and low defenses, and significantly improved immune response).
Food sources: wheat germ oil, soybean oil, wheat germ and whole grains (bread, rice and wholemeal pasta, etc.) Olive oil (mainly extra virgin cold-pressed) green leafy vegetables and nuts. Read the rest of this entry »
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Food and Immune System
Prolonged stress, poor diet, sudden changes in temperature or insufficient rest cause our body will suffer and go down our defenses.
There are signs, as pupae in the lips, tiredness more than usual, slow to heal wounds, muscle pain without exercise or fragile hair, which reveal that our body’s defenses are low. While ideally avoid, as far as possible, habits and situations that weaken our bodies, proper nutrition can also help to overcome hard times, it reinforces the immune system, which protects us from bacteria, viruses and other pathogens.
A balanced diet strengthens the immune system
Apparently energy intake has an evident influence on immune activity, both excess and defect calories. Excessive energy intake can affect the immune system’s ability to fight infections, so that obesity is linked to an increased incidence of infectious diseases. In addition, obese people are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, which in turn are linked to alterations in immune function. But the undernourished have an increased risk of infections, like those who are slimming diets of less than 1,200 calories a day or other the greatest number of calories but unbalanced, because these diets can decrease immune function. Read the rest of this entry »
Women Live Longer than Men
Why women have a life expectancy greater than that of men?
A group of Japanese scientists has found the answer to the puzzle, according to a study by researchers at Japanese universities in Tokyo and Saga, published by the online edition of the journal Human Reproduction.
The tests in mice indicate that paternal sperm is responsible for the shorter longevity of mammalian male versus females.
In their experiment, scientists have discovered that mice created using genetic material from two mothers and without the involvement of a parent living up to one third longer than normal mice with a mixture of maternal and paternal genes.
To explore this issue, researchers began to study the lifespan of mice produced no sperm. To this end, immature oocytes collected from mice one day old, manipulated the genetic material of these genes to behave like sperm and transplanted genes from this genetic material in unfertilized mature oocytes from adult mice that had eliminated the core.
These reconstructed oocytes became embryos which were transferred to a female mouse. The resulting pups had genetic material from two mothers but no father.
Furthermore, the authors created mice control through a natural pairing that were genetically identical mice from two mothers, irrespective of the fact that they were created in the normal way with genes of male and female mice. Both groups of mice were kept in the same environments without infections and with free access to food.
The study results were inconclusive. The mice created from two genomes women lived an average of 186 days longer than control mice created from the combination of a normal female and one male genome, whose life expectancy is between 600 and 700 days. These modified mice seemed to have a better immune system, with a significant increase in a type of white blood cell, eosinophils.
The study authors believe the reason for the difference in longevity may be related to a gene on chromosome 9, named Rasgrf1. “This gene is usually expressed from the chromosome inherited from the father and is a gene on chromosome 9 associated with postnatal growth,” said Tomohiro Kono of Tokyo University and co-author.
“Does not just genetics”
“This is very important genetic component in longevity of people,” agrees Mary Flora de Pablo, Professor, Biological Research Center of CSIC. The researchers say the study is “interesting model” which completes the analysis of the lifespan of mice on a type called “bimaternos” and on data that had already been published since 2004.
But longevity also “depends on environmental factors, modifiable,” explains De Paul. For example, “low-calorie diet, (without going to malnutrition) increases longevity and delays the onset of diseases associated with aging,” qualifies the teacher.
The end result of increased life expectancy in women than men in the developed world “is also a significant component derived from lower-risk behaviors in women than in men,” says the researcher, including appointment to a lower consumption of alcohol and drugs.
Cavities? Intestine Bacteria Causes
Disease cavities or dental caries is caused by poor oral hygiene resulting in the accumulation of plaque that contains a variety of bacteria. Now, the researchers managed to prove that the bacteria that cause cavities actually comes from our gut.
Dentium Bd1 Bifidobacterium bacteria are bacteria that cause caries. According to experts, these bacteria live in the intestines true and positive impact, such as helping the digestive system and improve the immune system.
However, the original good bacteria, it is also able to adapt to the environment the mouth. He was also able to survive the reversal of acid from glucose and carbohydrate foods. This acid will eventually destroy the tooth structure through a hole.
To prevent tooth damage and complications of the disease, dental hygiene care is absolutely necessary. Mouth actually have their own cleaning system, ie saliva. However, with the various types of food we eat, we need to use toothbrush and toothpaste to prevent plaque that are common between the teeth.
Papaya Leaf, New Weapon against Cancer
Behind the bitter taste, papaya leaf was kept benefits as cancer-fighting substances. By experts, papaya leaf excellence in combating various types of tumors in the body is called a “very
impressive”.
A researcher who published his findings on the benefits of papaya leaf extract to fight cervical cancer, breast, liver, lung, and pancreatic. The researchers used the papaya leaf extract was dried and used as papaya leaf tea.
In research conducted known Dang, papaya leaf extract will produce molecules called TH1 type of cytokines that help improve the body’s immune system. This will support the therapeutic use of the immune system to fight cancer.
Experts say, papaya extract has no toxic effect on normal cells and thus more secure than cancer therapy in general. In his research, 10 types of cancer cell culture displayed with papaya leaf extract and then observed for 24 hours. Proved, papayas slow the growth of tumor cells in all types of cancer.
Besides consumed as fruit, papaya is also used as traditional medicine, especially by the Aborigines in Australia, the population of Vietnam, and several other Asian countries.
Addicted to Sweets
The continuous consumption of sweets can be considered in some cases an unhealthy obsession but a food preference. Some people do not need excuses to eat sweets and feel an exaggerated desire at any time.
This craving is defined clinically as a fervent desire, more than a passing fancy. Besides the obvious risk of gaining weight and developing diabetes and tooth decay, regular and excessive consumption of sweets diminishes the ability of the immune system and prevents white blood cells to address bacterial contamination. The agency also is more prone to colds and various infections such as cystitis and vaginitis.
The Best Way to Feed The Baby (Part 2)
Answer 5:
FALSE. As the child grows and matures, the composition of breast milk changes. After six months, the baby’s specific requirements make it necessary to incorporate adequate complementary foods. However, breast milk remains the ideal primary source of nutrition during the first year. Just twelve months after it becomes food supplement. Furthermore, by providing defense substances called immunoglobulins, breast milk continues to complement and assist the immune system while taking the child to follow.
Answer 6:
FALSE. The woman’s body produces milk on demand, the more empty the chest, faster return to work to fill it. While the more full it is the chest, the slower the milk production.
Answer 7:
FALSE. Since the body produces milk according to the stimuli it receives for it, if she always waits for you “fill” the breasts before breast-feeding, your body may receive the message that is producing too much milk and then reduce production .
Answer 8:
FALSE. Milk production by mothers and their storage capacity (which in turn is related to breast size) and growth needs of the child, are the factors that determine the frequency of taking the child. The fact that there are days when peak growth occurring diseases as well as to submit the child, can also temporarily change the baby’s eating patterns. It is no good to impose limits on the frequency or duration of feedings or feedings, which can result in too low intake of calories.
Answer 9:
TRUE. Children generally give signals when they are hungry. However it is possible that newborns do not wake up as often as they need, so you have to be awakened if necessary to eat at least eight times in 24 hours.
Answer 10:
FALSE. The more natural food, healthy and harmless to your child could have is breast milk. If the baby shows signs of sensitivity related to food in general can be traced either very rare metabolic disease or any foreign protein that the mother had eaten and gained entry into breast milk and not breast milk itself. The latter is easily avoided by eliminating the food allergen from the diet for a while.
Answer 11:
TRUE. It is important that the child garment long enough (at least ten minutes) to the same breast as the first low milk has less fat and therefore fewer calories than the “second milk.” If you switch sides soon, will fill with milk first, lower in calories, instead of obtaining the natural balance between the first and second milk. This could cause the child not gain weight appropriately by not consuming enough calories.
Answer 12:
FALSE. Children are born with the capacity to ingest an adequate amount of milk required as needed. This ability to self-regulate their eating patterns occurs through breastfeeding. It is bottle-feeding and early introduction of other foods cause increased risk of obesity to grow, not breastfeeding.
Answer 13:
FALSE. The amount of milk a mother produces is at its best when allowed to breastfeed your child healthy demand, ie as many times as you need. When the child is very young this may occur at time intervals less than three hours, because the gastric capacity of newborn baby is very small..
Answer 14:
TRUE. Place the baby in this way that promotes the child’s mouth perfectly surrounds the nipple, whereas if the child is positioned with the belly up and must latch the chest by turning the head sideways, it can leave a space between the mouth and chest through which air can, which may cause you discomfort or cramps.
Answer 15:
TRUE. Breastfeeding is one of the biological time in which more energy is needed. If we restrict the amount of calories consumed can adversely affect milk production.
The Orange Against Allergies
Citrus based its therapeutic potential in the large amount of vitamins they provide. Specifically, vitamin C lowers blood levels of histamine (the substance that is released when an allergic reaction), thereby reducing skin allergies, bronchial asthma, rhinitis and bronchitis.
Also improves the immune system white blood cells and keeps in shape for a quick strike against infection. What is not so clear is to prevent or shorten colds. Among the experts are divided.
Other benefits of oranges:
- It prevents anemia and helps your body absorb iron.
- It helps you keep a lid on cholesterol levels.
- If you have operated or have breaks in the skin, the orange will heal better.
- Acts from within as a powerful sunscreen.
Posted in Allergy | Tags: Allergies, anemia, cholesterol, Citrus, histamine, immune system, Orange, skin allergies, therapeutic potential, Vitamin C, Vitamins, white blood cells | 1 Comment »
How Can I Protect My Self From Germs?
The best way to prevent the infections that germs cause is by protecting yourself. Because most germs are spread through the air in sneezes or coughs or through bodily fluids like sweat, saliva, semen, vaginal fluid, or blood, your best bet is to limit contact with those substances.
Washing your hands often is absolutely the best way to stop germs from getting into your body. When should you wash? After using the bathroom, after blowing your nose or coughing, after touching any pets or animals, after gardening, or before and after visiting a sick relative or friend. And of course you should wash your hands before eating or cooking.
There’s a right way to wash hands, you need to soap up well using warm water and plenty of soap, then rub your hands vigorously together for 15 seconds (away from the water). Rinse your hands and finish by drying them thoroughly on a clean towel.
If you spend any time in the kitchen, you’ll have many opportunities to get rid of germs. Be sure to use proper food-handling techniques, like using separate cutting boards, utensils, and towels for preparing uncooked meat and poultry.
Another way to fight infections from germs is to make sure you have the right immunizations, especially if you’ll be traveling to countries outside the United States. Other yearly immunizations, such as the flu vaccine, may be a particularly good idea if you have a weakened immune system or other chronic medical problems.
With a little prevention, you can keep harmful germs out of your way!
Posted in General Health, Healthy Tips | Tags: flu, flu vaccine, Germs, immune system, immunizations, infections, prevention, vaccine | No Comments »