As Dr. Jenna Macciochi states in the preface of Immunity: The Science of Staying Well—The Definitive Guide to Caring for Your Immune System, the driving force behind the book is the “concerning change in the spectrum of diseases faced by our immune systems today.” Human history is seeing a record rise in non-contagious diseases, such as cancer and heart disease—in unprecedented waves.
Despite this unsettling fact, when Dr. Macciochi wrote the book, she was very mindful of the fact that, as COVID-19 reminds us, “infectious diseases haven’t vanished.” In Immunity, Dr. Macciochi explores both non-contagious and infectious types of disease, how they intersect, and how they can be combated.
And, while teaching us about our immune system, Dr. Macciochi also explores and explains multiple facets of how it functions, providing guidance on:
- the best foods to eat to strengthen our immune system
- the importance of movement, and how often to exercise
- the essential link between immunity and sleep
- its surprising connection to mental health.
Food & The Immune System
In the last chapter, we learn more about how food affects and works in tandem with the body. Though food is just one piece of our immune system, and there is no “magic bullet” to fix it using food, what we eat still plays an important factor in the larger puzzle of our bodies. To improve your health, Dr. Macciochi focuses on a few key components:
- vitamins A and D, found in sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, and spinach
- flavonoids, found in onions, apples, tea, and coffee
- lean proteins, like chicken, lentils, and tofu
- carbohydrates (which are not all bad). Sticking to whole grains is ideal, but when eating the “bad” carbs, add fiber from fruits and veggies to balance them out!
Of course, the book dives into more than just what we’re eating, but also examines diets as a whole. Here, we learn about fasting, when and what to snack on, and personal-need specific diets—such as a diet to reduce inflammation. And, Dr. Macciochi describes what foods don’t actually build your immune system (hint: chicken noodle soup may help you get better, but it’s not proactive!)
This is just one facet of building and strengthening your immune system. Immunity is the essential handbook for staying well in our modern world. We hope you enjoyed this preview, and be sure to grab your copy of the book, publishing September 1!
