Eating for Immunity

On Tuesday, November 24, 2007, there was an interesting article by Laura Landro in the Wall Street Journal. It discussed how having certain vitamins and minerals (B6, selenium, zinc, etc.) made people have more immunity and less susceptible to viruses or illness. This is great news and pretty easy to do- eat right and take a few vitamins. However, it is not that simple. Apparently, some people have higher levels in their blood than others. Size does not make a difference, since obese people despite their large intake of food do not possess the higher levels. The article further stated that eating large amounts of vitamins might not bring up the levels, since the vitamins may not be absorbed.

So how does someone bring up their blood levels? Ayurveda has a suggestion. One of the pillars of good health is strong agni, which translates to digestion. If someone has good digestion, then the nutrients from the food eaten are absorbed and can strengthen the body. If digestion is poor, then nutrients are not absorbed thereby weakening the body. In fact food digestion may actually be a chore for the body leaving undigested food and toxins, which is known as ama.

Ayurveda has simple lifestyle guidelines to promote digestion. For example, eating at certain times of the day and eating to one’s body type. This sounds cheap and easy and gives us great benefits like a strong immune system and a strong, healthy body. Just a little food for thought.

Stay healthy & well,

Lisa