Food allergies:
Many people are sensitive to certain foods, which can result in symptoms including intestinal distress, fatigue, and even weight gain. Common foods that create such problems are dairy, eggs, gluten (the protein in wheat), and soy, corn, and food additives.
Individuals that experience any of the above symptoms should experiment with eliminating these foods from their diets for a few weeks to see what changes occur. Then, reintroducing one at a time will give a good indication of which foods may be causing the problems.
Eating for a strong immune system starts with focusing on whole rather than refined foods. Eating organic foods as much as possible will make a big difference. You really don’t want to be adding the burden of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and feed, antibiotics and growth hormones to your system.
Supplements:
Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and herbs are an important part of making sure your nutritional needs are met. Taking a lot of supplements while maintaining a poor diet will not have the desired effects.
If you want to plant a garden, you could just dig a few holes, plant the seeds, and wait for something to happen. Maybe a few things would grow, but the crop would probably not be very bountiful.
Add compost and nutrients to the soil, water it properly, and you would reap the rewards. Think of a good diet as your way to amend your soil, then if you add a few supplements, there’s a good environment for growth. ~Gary Rosard~
Rancid fats and oils:
These create free radicals, which are highly reactive molecules that can initiate chain reactions of chemical disruption, injuring cell membranes, enzymes, and DNA. They have a negative impact on a wide range of conditions such as aging, cancer, inflammation, degenerative disease, viral infections, and AIDS.
Common sources of rancid fats and oils are nuts, chips, baked goods, and fried foods. At higher temperatures and exposure to light, oils and fats turn rancid more quickly. When foods are deep-fried, the fats used reach very high temperatures, and if the oil is re-used, as is invariably the case, the oxidative effect is magnified.
Most polyunsaturated vegetable oils, unless cold-pressed, are heated to high temperatures during processing. Hydrogenated vegetable oils, including shortenings and margarine, are also heat processed. These are all sources of free radicals. In addition, nitrates have been shown to cause cancer and should be avoided; they are found in hot dogs, sausages, salami and smoked meats.
Water:
This is the essential “ground zero” for regulating all of the body’s systems. It eases the job of the kidneys and liver to process and eliminate toxins from the blood.
It helps keep mucous membranes moist enough to combat the viruses they encounter.
It is a little known tool for reducing sugar cravings. Sugar cravings are often a sign of dehydration.
Try a big glass of water the next time you are craving sugar, then wait a few minutes and see if the need for the sugar is really still there.
Water, as well as other beverages, really should not be ice cold. Your body will have to use a lot of energy to warm it up to a temperature of 98.6 degrees it tries so hard to maintain. Try to have 6 to 8 glasses of pure water every day.
BAD FOOD
Raw foods:
Foods such as clams, oysters, sushi, very rare meats, and undercooked eggs contain infectious bacteria and intestinal parasites.
Infections that would not bother most people can be life threatening for those with compromised immune systems.
Even alfalfa and bean sprouts, which are usually associated with “health food,” contain a natural toxin that can harm the immune system. They really should be cooked before eating.
Raw fruits and vegetables should be well washed before eating.
GOOD FOOD
Protein: Generous amounts of high quality protein are important for maintaining rapid production of cells to support the immune system, preventing loss of lean muscle mass and boosting energy.
As much as possible, look for organic meat and poultry, have plenty of fish, especially those high in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for building the body’s immune response.
These include salmon, sardines, mackerel, trout, and tuna; flax seeds are another good source of this important nutrient. Dairy products may not be the best protein source since they create digestive problems for many people, such as excess gas, loose stools, mucous and congestion.
Yeast infections and thrush also thrive on dairy. Vegetarian sources of protein include soy products such as tofu and tempeh, and beans and legumes, having the added benefit of fiber, which animal foods do not provide.
Other helpful foods include onions, garlic (unless you are having liver problems), ginger, and turmeric (a spice that is a good anti-inflammatory).
Mushrooms such as shitake, oyster, and other Asian varieties, are noted for their immune-enhancing abilities. Sea vegetables are rich in minerals such as immune-boosting zinc, as well as calcium. Small quantities of fresh almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds are also good sources for zinc and healthy fats.
BAD
Alcohol:
When consumed in excess, alcohol is a poison to every system of your body. It depresses the nervous system, inhibits the bone marrow’s ability to regenerate blood cells, is toxic to the liver, depletes B-vitamins, and is dehydrating. If you are taking protease inhibitors, which place significant stress on the liver, alcohol intake must be very moderate? Anyone with chronic hepatitis B or C should pay particular attention to this added stress to the liver, and try to avoid alcohol as much as possible.
GOOD
Fresh fruit:
Providing the same benefits as vegetables, fruits can be eaten as snacks, separate from protein for better digestion. Berries are particularly noted for their cancer preventative abilities. Fruit though is very high in sugar, so large quantities should be avoided, especially tropical fruits such as bananas, mangoes, etc. If you are prone to yeast infections (thrush, Candida), avoid fruit juices, since the high concentration of sugar promotes the growth of yeast in the digestive system.
BAD
Coffee:
Caffeine is a diuretic that contributes to the body’s loss of important nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
Caffeine places stress on the adrenal glands (already stressed out from our hectic lifestyles) and adversely affects the nervous system, resulting in anxiety, hyperactivity, and insomnia.
Healing occurs when the body is relaxed and its energy can be channelled inward. Regular consumption of caffeine deprives the body of this relaxed state. The acid in coffee eats away the villi of the small intestine, reducing their effectiveness in supporting nutrient assimilation.
Thus, the acids in coffee may cause as much problem as the caffeine. Try milder forms of caffeine such as green tea, or try the various caffeine-free coffee substitutes. Mix them with your coffee to gradually reduce your caffeine.
GOOD
Vegetables:
Eat as many vegetables as you can. These are really the immune-boosting heavyweights.
They are the best source of the vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that are known to protect the body against many diseases, including cancer.
Especially try to have dark leafy greens, such as kale and collard greens. Include as many of the yellow and orange vegetables as possible for beta-carotene, an important anti-oxidant.
Carrots, winter squash, and sweet potatoes are also great for satisfying the sweet tooth in a healthy way.
If you are prone to diarrhoea, which is common among those with HIV, avoid raw vegetables (and fruit). Lightly steam or sauté them instead.
The objective in recently founding AID My Journey-Support is to play a major role in the transformation of how HIV and AIDS is managed, providing valuable structured programmes on HIV and AIDS and programmes used to enhance employers and employees:
“Educate and empower people by providing local life skills programmes that promotes positive values, healthy habits, and education – resulting in real life power.”
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