AAA Display options

The new force combining Age Concern logo & Help the Aged logo

Foods to improve immunity

 

Nutritionist Dr Sarah Schenker chooses the best fresh foods and health products to keep you fighting fit against illness.

Beef:

Beef is a rich source of protein, particularly certain components known as amino acids which are required by the immune system. Glutamine is among the most important amino acids to immune cells. Studies on hospital patients and athletes (both of whom have compromised immunity) show that glutamine improves immunity and reduces the risk of infections. All types of beef are a good protein source. The riches is salt beef, but only tuck into this if your blood pressure is normal and be careful not to exceed the daily limit of 6g of salt. The vegetarion option, soya bean products, contain all essential amino acids and glutamine.

Probiotic yoghurt:

Probiotic bacteria can help to reduce the risk of gut infections as well as easing the symptoms of conditions such s irritable bowel syndrome. Research has shown that people who suffer reccurent bowel infections have recuced numbers of the normal ‘friendly’ bacteria int heir gut and an imbalance or overgrowth of the sometimes harmful bacteria that can cause gastric pain, bloating, diarrhoea and constipation.

Olive oil:

Vitamin E is another crucial vitamin for a healthy immune system. It is present in the fat in your foods (or ‘fat soluble’). Whereas too much fat in the diet is a bad thing, too little could mean you’re missing out on vitamin E and other fat-soluble vitamins. Olive oil is a great source of vitamin E and monounsaturated fats, which are good for your heart as well as your immune system. Use it in cooking and in salad dressings.

Pine nuts:

Pine nuts are a rich source of zinc. An adequate zinc intake helps to prevent infections in the gut and the respiratory system. But be careful not to obverdo it with zinc supplements as they can suppress your immune system functions. Eating a wide variety of foods and having a healthy diet is the best way to balance the zinc in your diet. But the zinc supplements can be useful in boosting the immune system after a bout of prolonged illness.

Echinacea:

Echinacea is a natural antibiotic and infection fighter that helps to kill bacteria, viruses, fungi and other disease-causing microbes. The herb, originally a remedy from North America, stimulated immune cells and boosts their production of a virus-fighting substance called interferon. Taking the supplement at frequent intervals – as often as every couple of hours during acute infections – is adviseable, because its effects are relavtively short-lived.

Mangoes:

Mangoes are a great source of vitamin C and beta-carotene, which mop up free radicals and prevent damage to cells that can initiate heart disease or cancer. When a mango is ripe, the flesh is easy to digest.

Pomegranate juice:

Tests have shown pomegranate juice to be rich in antioxidants. They can neutralise damaging free radicals generated by a poor diet, pollution and cigarette smoke, all of which are implicated in heart disease, strokes, cancer and ageing. The juice contains three times the antioxidant properties of red wine or green tea.

Sardines:

Sardines are a rich source of omega-3 fats, another crucial nutrient for cells of the immune system. 

Your Age NI

Set your location to see what Age NI offers in your local area.

Age NI Advice:
0808 808 7575

Health and wellbeing publications

  • Guides and factsheets aimed at keeping you informed on information surrounding Health and Wellbeing publications.

      View all Health and wellbeing downloads Help with downloads

      Downloads

      What is a download?

      A download is a document (like a research report, a leaflet, or an application form) that can be transferred from our website to your computer. You can download a file, view it on your screen, print it, or save it to your computer.

      What is a PDF?

      PDF stands for ‘portable document format’.

      Most downloads on this website are PDFs. We use this format to ensure that the document looks the same on everyone’s computer (website pages, by contrast, appear differently depending on how people have got their computer set up).

      How do I download a PDF?

      Computers use a program called Adobe Acrobat Reader to download PDFs. If you try clicking on a link to download a PDF and it doesn’t work, you will need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader onto your computer.

      How do I install Adobe Acrobat Reader?

      The process is quite straightforward and is free.

      1. Go to opens link in new window http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/
      2. Click ‘Download’.
      3. Wait for the window to offer you the option to ‘Run’, then choose this option.
      4. Click ‘Next’.
      5. Click ‘Install’
      6. Wait for the window to offer you the option to ‘Finish’, then choose this option.

      How do I change a download?

      PDFs cannot be changed. If you need to be able to type into a downloaded document (for example, if we are offering a letter template that you need to put your name on) we will provide it as a Microsoft Word document rather than a PDF. You can then download it, type into it and save it to your computer.

      How do I print or save a download?

      Downloads will open on your computer in a new browser window.

      Inside this window (below all your web browser menus), there will be a toolbar with options for you to print or save the document.

      Close the browser window to return to the Age UK website.

      Can my screen reader read PDF downloads?

      We have made every effort to make our PDFs accessible to screen readers. Here is an overview of your accessibility options available in Acrobat Reader. Please ensure that you have downloaded the latest version of Acrobat Reader from the Adobe Reader website to ensure that they are included in your version of the programme.

      You can use Adobe Reader to read a PDF out loud with the following shortcut keys:

      • Read the document: Shift +Ctrl+Y
      • Read the open page only: Shift +Ctrl+V
      • Read to the end of the document: Shift+Ctrl+B
      • Pause: Shift+Ctrl+C
      • Stop Shift+Ctrl+E


      You can also convert a PDF into a web page by following these steps:

      • Copy the URL (web address) of the document (right-click on the link and select ‘Save target as’ or ‘Copy link’).
      • Open the Adobe online conversion tool in your browser and paste the URL into the URL box.
      • Tick the HTML box on the Format option and click ‘Convert’.


      You can convert a PDF document into a text file for use with other software and hardware such as Braille printers by opening the PDF and choosing ‘Save as text’ from the File menu.

    Keep up to date

    Sign up for our free email newsletter.

    Ageing Well videos

    Two people talking

    Tell us your story

    Share your first hand accounts of issues or problems that older people are experiencing in relation to public services.

    Share your story

    Useful websites

    Close window
    Display options

    Set the appearance of this website so you can read it more easily

    Text size

    Background/foreground


    To see information relating to England, Scotland or Wales set your preference below: