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Foods to Improve a Woman's Immune System

Think of your body as a car: The better fuel you put into it, the better it will perform. Such is also the case with a woman's immune system. By eating certain foods, you can strengthen your immune system, fight off infection, and decrease your likelihood of developing certain types of diseases.

  1. Skim Milk

    • Especially for women who live in colder climates where there is less sunlight in certain seasons, drinking skim milk every day will help improve your immune system due to the immune-boosting powers of vitamin D. Skim milk has less saturated fat and calorie content and also provides a healthy dose of calcium. The majority of women do not consume enough calcium in their daily diet, and one in four white women will develop osteoporosis.

    Yogurt

    • Another popular dairy product, yogurt, is a food that can also help improve a woman's immune system. Yogurt has "good" bacteria known as probiotics that help the immune system ward off bacteria and infection. Choose reduced-fat varieties of yogurt and a brand that has live or active cultures.

    Fish

    • Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines are among the best sources of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which may help prevent heart attacks and decrease your risk of developing heart disease. Omega-3 may also help protect a woman's immune system and prevent inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. Oily fish like salmon can also help keep you skin, hair and nails soft and healthy. Choose salmon that is labeled as "wild" over farm raised because farm raised salmon have a higher level of contaminants.

    Green Tea

    • Green tea is one of the best foods available for improving a woman's immune system and helping fight off colds and flus. Green team contains powerful antioxidants and compounds that have been shown to slow down the growth of cancer cells. Drink 2-3 cups of green tea daily for improved immunity.

    Blueberries

    • Blueberries are also packed with antioxidants, making them one of the best immune-boosting foods for women. A 2008 study in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" found that blueberries had highest antioxidant capacities out of 100 different fruits and vegetables. Blueberries also have other benefits for women, such as the ability to prevent urinary tract infections by preventing bacteria from sticking to cells in the urinary tract.

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