Strengthening Immune Function: Build Your Immunity

Regular Exercise

Stress can contribute to a weak immune system. Regular exercise is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety in your life. Physical activity also allows the release of toxic by-products in your lungs via deep breaths, in your skin via perspiration, and in your lymphatic system via the movement of muscle.

Good Eating Habits

It should come as no surprise that vegetarians have stronger immune systems than do people who eat meat. Studies of white blood cell samples from vegetarians have shown them to have more than double the cancer cell-destroying ability of their non-vegetarian counterparts.9 The immune-boosting power of vegetarian diets is partly due to their vitamin content, their low fat content, and perhaps other contributors, such as reduced exposure to toxic chemicals and animal proteins.

Here are some other tips to strengthen your immune system with diet:

• Vegetables, fruits, beans, and grains contain nutrients and phytochemicals to strengthen the immune system.
• Fiber, which is readily available in plant foods, helps your body flush out toxins.
• Avoiding fat"from either animal or vegetable sources"can improve your white blood cells" ability to work.

The bottom line: To boost your immune system, try a low-fat vegetarian diet accompanied by regular physical activity.