Most of the time your immune system performs terrifically in protecting you from most communicable and contagious diseases, however many of us dread the flu season, vacationing in the tropics, and eating street food for sound reasons.

Our immune system is strong but it is not foolproof, microbes can sneak through the defense and make us sick. So what are the few natural ways you can walk about in the snow or enjoy a shallow dip in the warm waters of the tropical seas without the fear of falling ill?

Natural Ways to Obtain a Super Strong Immune System

1. Garlic

Garlic has been shown to have infection fighting capability. Even research scientists from Harvard agree to the fact that garlic can fight off bacteria, fungi, and some viruses. In 2006, a study conducted on the South European population showed that increased consumption of garlic and onion can prevent multiple types of common cancers.

2. Carrots, pumpkins, broccoli, spinach

These are all sources of Vitamin A which helps to fortify your immune system against the common bacterial, fungal as well as viral threats. Daily doses of Vitamin A boost T cell and B cell immunity in human beings, and stimulate mucosal surfaces which enhance innate immunity.

3. Fermented food like pickles, kimchee, miso, sauerkraut, and pickled olives

They have pro-biotic bacteria which help in digestion and better absorption of the nutrients and minerals we consume. These are bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium which are already present in our gut; the pro-biotic containing food simply boosts their population to stimulate our immune system.

4. Brazil nuts, brown rice, sunflower seeds, baked beans, mushrooms, lentils, spinach, cashews, bananas

All these beautiful plant foods contain trace amounts of selenium which has cancer preventing properties. People with low seleno-proteins have been shown to be at a higher risk of colon, rectal, bladder, lung, breast, and prostate cancers.

5. Tea

Tea is the new apple; drinking  green or black tea everyday increases the count of interferon in the body. The main functioning component isolated is L-theanine which is broken down in the liver to ethylamine which prompts T cell production. T Cells have bactericidal, anti-viral and anti-tumor properties, as stated by Dr. Jack F. Bukowski, a researcher at Harvard Medical School, Birmingham, and Women’s Medical Hospital at Boston.

6. Fresh juices to jumpstart your day

Orange juice has tons of vitamin C, apple and carrot juices have vitamin A, Kale Juice is an abundant source of vitamins A, C, B6, copper, magnesium, and tomato juice has both vitamins A and C; so fresh juices without any preservatives and added flavoring agents are your best natural dietary supplements. Not only do they remove free oxidant intermediates and radicals, they also boost T and B cell production which fight microbial infections.