🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Every winter, influenza becomes a major threat to human health. Recently, American nutritionists reminded the public: there are four types of foods that help enhance immunity and resist influenza.
The first type is protein-rich foods. When the body lacks protein, lymphocytes—the key immune cells—decrease dramatically, severely weakening immune function. Protein mainly comes from lean meat. For those who dislike meat or have poor dental health, tofu, legumes, nuts, and eggs are excellent alternatives.
The second type is iron-rich foods. Scientists have found that elderly people deficient in iron have weaker immunity than those with normal iron absorption. This is because insufficient iron levels cause a drop in T cells, which regulate the immune system, leading to ineffective immune responses. Iron-rich foods include animal liver, meat, pork blood, duck blood, eggs, and dark green vegetables.
The third type is zinc-containing foods. Zinc activates over 200 vital hormones and enzymes, helping the immune system perform at its best. Foods rich in zinc include oysters, crabs, legumes, beef, lamb, dried fish, scallops, pork liver, and wheat germ.
Experts caution that excessive intake of iron and zinc is harmful. According to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences dietary reference standards: men and postmenopausal women should consume 8 mg of iron daily, premenopausal women 18 mg, and pregnant women 27 mg. Men should get 11 mg of zinc daily, women 8 mg.
The fourth type includes foods rich in folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Experts say these nutrients are abundant in vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes, but balanced and sufficient intake is crucial. They especially emphasize that drinking yogurt and probiotic beverages greatly enhances immunity.