How to Boost Your Immune System — Part 3

Vitamin C is a well known dietary aid to improved immune system performance. Studies confirm this bit of folk medicine. The real debate is whether supplements really do help, or if natural foods are the only way.

Vitamin C is also vital for the body to make collagen, a key protein in skin and connective tissue which is said to improve appearance with age.

For most elderly people, vitamin C supplements are recommended, especially through the winter when local fruits may not be available.

The ideal supplements also contain substances call bioflavanoids, antioxidants derived from the pith of citrus fruits. These have been shown to increase the effectiveness of supplementary vitamin C.

According to a CDC report, Americans are still not eating recommended amounts of fruit and vegetables and no state has reached national target consumption rates.

The report found that seniors, however, eat more fruit and vegetables than do 18 to 24 year olds. College graduates were more likely to eat more of both fruit and vegetables than those with less education and people earning more than 50K per year had higher fruit and vegetable consumption than those earning less.

A diet high in fruit and vegetables has been linked to a lower incidence of chronic disease. Fruit and vegetables also help keep weight down because they have fewer calories by volume than processed foods.

To protect your health and help maintain a healthy weight, the CDC recommends that adults consume 2 cups of fruit per day and a 1 cup serving of vegetables three times a day. The government calls this the “5 a Day” plan.

More information can be found at:

5 A Day
CDC website