EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT T-CELLS AND THE FOODS THAT SUPPORT THEM

T-cells are one of your body’s most important internal defenders—so here’s what you need to know about them!

Your immune system is made up of a lot of different types of cells. Chief among them are the white blood cells that travel around your bloodstream and attack the various invaders that trigger illness and inflammation in your body.

T-cells are one of those white blood cells, but they’re a very special type. In fact, they’re the ones that help your body hunt down and eliminate the worst of the invaders. Consider them the “front line” of your body’s internal defenses!

Let’s take a closer look at how they work, and how you can increase T-cell activity in your body with just a few simple foods!

How T-Cells Work

T-cells are described as “a type of white blood cell that is of key importance to the immune system and is at the core of adaptive immunity, the system that tailors the body's immune response to specific pathogens.”

Pay close attention to that term “adaptive immunity”.

As you know, our bodies are constantly under attack by a seemingly endless array of invaders. UV radiation from the sunlight and pollution in the air can be absorbed by our skin and need to be eliminated. Food-borne pathogens are consumed along with the healthy nutrients, and we can be exposed to water-borne pathogens both in the water we drink and in our swimming pools, lakes, rivers, and hot tubs.

Our bodies are designed to adapt to different threats, even those that are “new” and previously not encountered. That’s why our bodies produce antibodies as a response to invading antigens. T-cells are our body’s means of producing the right antibodies and responding correctly to the various pathogens we encounter.

The thymus (a gland located in our neck) turns immature T-cells into mature T-cells, which are then released into the bloodstream. These T-cells are tasked with hunting down and eliminating invaders. They are one of the lymphocytes that make up the collection of cells we know as “white blood cells”.

T-cells are considered “cytotoxic”, which means they’re able to directly eradicate cells that have been infected by viruses and bacteria. They’re even capable of killing off cancer-infected cells, and they influence the other white blood cells to help your body better protect itself from invaders.

As you can imagine, they are absolutely critical to your immune health, which is why it’s vital that there are enough T-cells being produced by your body to keep your internal defenses high.

Unfortunately, experts will tell you that there’s no way to directly raise your white blood cell count—particularly T-cells—just by eating the right foods. On the plus side, however, eating the right foods can improve your overall immune function, making your body more capable of producing enough T-cells to protect yourself.

T-Cell Foods that Raise Immunity

Here are a list of the best immune-boosting foods you can add to your diet to give your body the nutrients it needs to increase the production of all vital immune cells, including white blood cells and T-cells:

• Citrus Fruit – Oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes, and grapefruits are always at the top of every list of immune boosting foods thanks to their high Vitamin C count. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that is critical to raising your immune system. In fact, there is a belief that Vitamin C can directly influence your body’s production of white blood cells, including T-cells. 

• Spinach – All dark, leafy greens are amazing for your immune health, but spinach is pretty much at the top of the list. It’s rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin A, folate, iron, calcium, and other nutrients, and the high antioxidant content of spinach makes it amazing for boosting your immune system.

• Red bell peppers – Not only are these delightful foods rich in Vitamin C (more per ounce than citrus fruits, in fact), they’re also loaded with beta-carotene, an immune-boosting antioxidant that your body turns into Vitamin A. Both Vitamins A and C are important for protecting your body from invaders and keeping your immune system strong.

• Oysters – Oysters are rich in zinc, a nutrient that is believed to play a direct role in the production of white blood cells—and T-cells specifically. You’ll find that the anti-inflammatory and infection-fighting properties of zinc makes oysters an amazing choice to add to an immune-boosting diet.

• Yogurt – Not just any yogurt will do; we’re talking the probiotic yogurt with active bacteria cultures. Probiotic yogurt provides your body with bacteria that work with the beneficial bacteria already living in your gut, acting as reinforcements to raise your immune activity right in your intestines where the food is digested. You’ll find that the live bacteria in probiotic yogurt will do wonders for helping your body deal with food-borne bacteria and pathogens.

• Salmon – Fatty fish like salmon are vital for your immune health, thanks to their high Omega-3 fatty acid content. Omega-3s are known immune boosters that can make your body more effective at protecting itself from damage. In fact, they also work as an anti-inflammatory agent that will reduce your body’s response to invading pathogens. Less swelling (inflammation) means your white blood cells (including your T-cells) have easier access to whatever is causing the internal problems, making it easier for your body to get rid of the problems more quickly.

If your goal is to increase your T-cell count and raise your body’s natural defenses to infections and illness, why not give our Pure Greens supplement a try? It’s made with all-natural and organic ingredients specifically formulated to increase your immune function and help your body repel invading pathogens more effectively on its own, without the need for medications or antibiotics. Thanks to the nutrients in our supplement, you’ll give your body all the reinforcements it needs to stay strong and protect you from outside threats!