THE NUTRITIONAL APPROACH
Supportive nutrition is essential if the immune system is to end viral infection swiftly. A number of small-scale studies all appear to confirm that vitamin and mineral deficiencies are partly responsible for suppression of the immune system which prolongs the severity and duration of colds and flu.
Other studies are showing that whenever the body is stressed by an infection, key nutrients such as vitamins A and C, and the mineral zinc, may be depleted more rapidly than the average diet can replenish them. This deficiency then further lowers immunocompetence. Although results are preliminary, these studies are consistent with the existence of a public health problem of deficiency in nutrients that support immunocompetence.
Unless at least 80 percent of your diet consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and legumes, your body may be unable to absorb sufficient essential nutrients from the food you cat. Recent surveys have
shown that a high intake of polyunsaturated fat, in the form of pressed vegetable oils, can be immunosuppressive while the Standard American Diet with its emphasis on meat fats, dairy foods, eggs, fried foods and other animal products tends to be deficient in such key nutrients as vitamins A and C and zinc. Each of these appears essential to a high level of immunocompetence. Even if your diet were nutritionally adequate, such influences as sugar, saturated fats, alcohol, caffeine, The Pill, diuretics and other medications or stimulants can inhibit absorption of key nutrients.
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