by: Stewart Hare

Since the 1930’s the western diet has dramatically changed. This
change is due to the change in farming from the natural farming
process which has developed over 1000’s of years to a modern
scientific farming which has changed farming into an industry. This
food industry is not interested in producing good quality
nutritional food for the nation but food that is easy to store and
cheap to produce which in tern will maximise profit. This has
changed the western diet to concise of high sugar, fat and protein
which is low in vital nutrients.

Not only since the 1930’s has the western diet changed but also
people’s lifestyles have changed. The over use of antibiotics,
stress at work, lack of exercise, excessive consumption of alcohol,
smoking, use of recreational drugs, increases in obesity and low
nutritional status of food all affect the immune system and are
contributing to the increase in degenerative diseases in western
societies.

Since the 1930’s over 3500 man-made chemicals have found their way
into modern day food, this does not include hormones, pesticides and
antibiotics which are in foods such as meat and grains. These
chemicals are not only unnatural but stop nutrients being absorbed
and used which hampers the body’s action to heal itself.

In the UK today, 50,000 chemicals are released into the environment
by industry and 400 million litres of herbicides and pesticides are
used. We in the UK consume 83 billion cigarettes, 80 million
painkillers, 26 billion alcoholic drinks and a quarter of a million
tons of food chemicals. All of this adds up to a nation whose immune
systems are seriously compromised. The immune system is affected for
better or for worst by the food that is consumed. Foods such as
meat, sugar, salt, saturated fats, alcohol, dairy products and
processed foods all have a negative affect on the immune system.

People who consume large amounts of meat are more likely suffer from
cancer in later life than those who don’t. Meat is high in saturated
fats, hormones, antibiotics, pesticides and herbicides. These all
compromise the immune system.

White sugar has around 90% of its minerals and vitamins removed
which when consumed makes the metabolism become inefficient,
contributing to weight problems, poor energy control and unbalanced
blood sugar levels.

Alcohol abuse severely compromises the immune system. Alcoholics
suffer from malnutrition due to the reduction of food, impaired
metabolism leading to weight loss and suffer from toxicity of the
intestines. Alcohol is linked to cancer, hypertension,
cerebrovascular disease and coronary heart disease. Regular heavy
drinking can lose up to 10 years of your life expectancy by aging
the liver, kidneys, heart and brain. Too much alcohol depletes the
body of the minerals zinc, calcium, magnesium and also the B
vitamins.?

Salt causes high blood pressure, irritates the stomach and retains
fluid.

Dairy produces especially milk causes allergies and intolerances
both in adults and children. Milk is also a risk factor for
diabetes.

Foods that are good for the immune system are foods that are high in
antioxidants such as fresh fruit and vegetables especially broccoli,
watercress, carrots and peas. Eating plenty of fresh fruit,
vegetables and oily fish will boost your immune system. Research has
shown that people who consume large amounts of fruit and vegetables
have less genetic damage which is one of the precursors to cancer.

Consuming fruit and vegetables such as apples, prunes, citrus
fruits, cabbage and lettuce which are high in flavonoids will also
boost your immune system. Flavonoids are substances found in plants
that can protect your body from disease.

Soy beans are high in isoflavones which are one of the most potent
anti-carcinogens of all. Soy products are also good at preventing
heart disease.

Oily fish contains Omega 3 oils which keep arteries healthy, reduces
the risk of blood clots and lowers cholesterol. Fish high in Omega 3
are salmon, tuna, mackerel and herring.?

Including pre-biotic food such as leeks, Chicory root, Jerusalem
artichoke, onions, oats and bananas in your diet will strengthen
your gut defence system.

Your lifestyle has a huge bearing on your immune system. Pollution,
smoking, work stress, lack of sleep, being overweight, lack of
exercise and excessive sunbathing all has a negative effect on your
immune system.

Pollutants such as pollen, free radicals, household and industrial
chemicals, lead, CFCs, carbon monoxide, cigarette smoke, bacteria,
pesticides, chlorine, colourants and aluminium are a fact of every
day life. These pollutants and toxins have a negative affect on our
bodies. The liver, kidneys, skin and bowel are responsible for
removing these pollutants and toxins from our bodies. If these
organs are working below par due to a suppressed immune system then
toxins will remain in our bodies. This will cause allergies and
sensitivities and weakening the immune system further.

Stress, repressed anger, depression and chronic worries depress our
immune system by reducing the ability of immune cells to form
antibodies. It is a well known fact that when we are stressed we are
more likely to get ill. Stress increases blood sugar and lipids
which contributes to heart disease, infections and cancer.

Being overweight due to lack of exercise and excessive eating can
increase the risk of hypertension and diabetes by 10%. Sun bathing
uses up anti-oxidants and can age the skin up to 10 years. Too much
exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer. Smoking cigarettes uses
up large amounts of vitamin C and other anti-oxidants, this can
leave smokers vulnerable to cancer and heart disease. Smoking ages
the lungs, skin, circulation, heart and can lead to early menopause
and osteoporosis.?

Since the 1930’s both diet and lifestyle has changed. Although there
is an abundance of food, it tends to be substandard in nutritional
value. The lack of nutrition in our food with the addition of
stresses of modern day lifestyles is suppressing our immune systems
at a time when we need it most. This combination has lead to a rise
in degenerative diseases despite western societies spending billions
in health care.

About the author:
Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh

Advice for a healthier natural life

website: http://www.newbeingnutrition.com