The Nutrition-Immune Health Connection

There’s a strong link between nutrition and your immune system. Learn how the right macro- and micronutrients can support your immune system.

vitamin D, found in a few foods like salmon and fortified dairy, help to sustain healthy skin and tissues. Antioxidants like vitamins C and E and the mineral selenium help protect cells from oxidative damage. Nuts and seeds are rich in vitamin E, and selenium can be found in lean meats. Prebiotic dietary fiber, such as inulin that is found in foods like garlic, asparagus, and bananas, feeds beneficial bacteria in the gut.

The immune system is a sophisticated, complex system that works to keep you healthy in various roles throughout the body. Your immune system helps create boundaries to the outside, both those you can see (your skin!) and those inside your body you can’t (linings of your airway and gastrointestinal tract), and maintains surveillance through white blood cells to identify things that do not belong. Exercising regularly can help to improve stress responses throughout the body. Eating nutrientdense foods is important to support your immune health as well.

Consuming protein from foods like eggs, lean meat, low-fat dairy, and legumes supplies the immune system with amino acid building blocks for its cells and functions. Vitamins A and C, found in red and orange foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots, citrus, and bell peppers, and

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“Your immune system is fueled by a well-balanced lifestyle, including proper sleep, regular exercise and intentional nutrition from foods. Oral nutrition supplements can help add important nutrients to your diet. Proper nutrition can be confusing. Don’t hesitate to start a conversation with your healthcare professional about your nutrition and lifestyle for the best quality of life.”

—David Kellenberger, DMS, MPAS, RDN, PA-C, a PA* and current Fellow in the PA Foundation Nutrition Outreach Fellowship supported by Abbott.