Supporting Immune Health Through Nutrition: Key Nutrients and Meal Strategies

The immune system protects the body from germs and other invaders. In fact, according to the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWIG), “Without an immune system, we would have no way to fight harmful things that enter our body from the outside or harmful changes that occur inside our body.” Moreover, many medical conditions have the potential to affect the immune system. One strategy for naturally boosting the immune system is through dietary measures. LifeSpring Home Nutrition offers medically tailored meals (MTMs) and other meal options to boost immune health.

How Does Nutrition Impact Immune Health?

The immune system activates when it senses antigens like bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Although the immune system naturally rallies without conscious awareness, not all immune systems function optimally. Fortunately, certain strategies can strengthen the immune system. For instance, dietary measures significantly impact the delicate balance of proteins, cells, and organs that make up the immune system and affect how well it functions.

A 2022 article in Frontiers in Nutrition states, “Nutrition plays an essential role in the regulation of optimal immunological response by providing adequate nutrients in sufficient concentrations to immune cells.” In other words, micro and macronutrients are essential for good immune health.

Negative Nutritional Influences

On the other hand, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation negatively impact the immune system and cause it to work less effectively. Foods and drinks that may adversely affect the immune system include:

• Ultra-processed foods
• Refined carbohydrates
• Alcoholic beverages
• Red meats and processed meats
• Caffeinated drinks
• Foods with excess sodium

The truth is that what people eat and drink directly impacts their body’s ability to fight off antigens and germs. However, reducing foods that cause inflammation or oxidative stress can improve the immune system.

Essential Nutrients and Meal Planning for Immune Wellness

Developing healthy meal plans involves ensuring that people receive essential nutrients they may otherwise have difficulty incorporating into their dietary regimens. LifeSpring Home Nutrition encourages people to use meal planning to improve their overall health.

Some examples of effective meal strategies people use to increase nutritional health include:

• Reducing the amount of processed snacks and drinks consumed throughout the day
• Adding more meals with whole fruits and vegetables to the diet
• Collaborating with medical professionals, nutritionists, or dietitians to develop a detailed meal plan

Everyone has different needs. To boost their immune systems, people must know the factors that may impact their health and the best ways to address them. Often, individuals with compromised immune systems have dietary restrictions and instructions from their doctor on what foods to avoid. Home-delivered meals help people stay on track with their meal plans to alleviate stress and confusion.

Improving Gut Health

Nutrient-rich meals improve gut health and overall wellness. According to Nutrients, “The majority of immune cells within the human body are found within the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) … A number of nutrients and dietary interventions have demonstrated the capacity to improve measures of gut health.” Eating MTMs improves gut health by reducing the amount of saturated fats, refined sugars, and processed foods people eat.

Boosting the Immune System

The immune system protects people from various illnesses spread through germs, bacteria, and viruses. People can do many things to boost the immune system and help it work more effectively, including:

• Getting vaccinated against illnesses to build immunity
• Taking nutritional supplements for individuals who need additional nutritional support
• Reducing stress levels at home and work

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Some additional ways you can strengthen your immune system are eating well, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough sleep, not smoking, and avoiding excessive alcohol use.” Delivered meals can help people eat well and reduce obesity or other health factors, which will help the immune system work more effectively. Immune wellness is strengthened when people care for their bodies by maintaining positive physical and mental health.

Foods That Support Immune Health

Dietary changes and tailored meal plans are the most effective ways to support the immune system while recovering from illness or injury. The body needs energy to recover from incidents and protect itself from future harm. Some of the foods offered at LifeSpring Home Nutrition that support immune health include:

• Grilled chicken and vegetables
• Butternut squash soup
• Parmesan crusted tilapia
• Chicken Alfredo

This diverse range of food options allows people to choose foods they prefer and enjoy. Comfort foods are made with the freshest ingredients and are flash-frozen to retain nutrients. Many people rely on LifeSpring Home Nutrition to provide consistent and personalized meals to support their recovery and immune systems.

LifeSpring Home Nutrition Promotes Immune Health

Home-delivered MTMs offer access to nutrient-rich foods that people might otherwise not have the time, resources, or ability to prepare for themselves. LifeSpring Home Nutrition promotes a healthy diet through education and nutritious meals to address various health issues, including compromised immune systems.

Individuals and families are encouraged to use weekly meal deliveries to sustain and improve their overall health and well-being. People also use home-delivered MTMs to fill in the gaps in their healthcare plans and reduce the risk of future medical problems. Everyone has different preferences and health goals. The experts at LifeSpring Home Nutrition work with each client to ensure they receive the meals that best meet their unique needs.

A strong immune system is crucial for safeguarding your health. If you have a compromised immune system or chronic medical condition, you may benefit from making dietary changes that boost your immune system. Micronutrients and macronutrients affect how well your immune system functions. LifeSpring Home Nutrition has registered dietitians (RDs) on staff to monitor meal planning if you require medically tailored meals (MTMs). Our clients with weaker immune systems benefit from speaking with an RD to learn more about boosting their immune systems through dietary changes. The good news is that you can improve your overall well-being by making specific changes to your diet. To learn more about our immune-boosting meals, call us at (800) 798-5767.