5 Foods for a Naturally Strong Immune System | Dr. Neal Barnard Exam Room Live Q&A

Five foods can help naturally strengthen your immunity to viruses and bacteria that can make you sick. They can also boost your body's ability to fight deadlier diseases such as cancer.

The essential nutrients and vitamins can act as your body's first line of defense when you are exposed to these invaders that enter your body to do harm.

Proper nutrition can help ensure your body's natural defense system can function at a high level even as you grow older.

Dr. Neal Barnard joins "The Weight Loss Champion" Chuck Carroll on The Exam Room LIVE to share his top immune system building foods.

Have a question for Dr. Barnard? Post it in the comment or chat and we'll get to as many as we can during the live broadcast.
This episode of The Exam Room™ Podcast is sponsored by The Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund.
🗓️UPCOMING EVENTS🗓️
Exam Room LIVE with the Esselstyn Family
Tickets: bit.ly/ERLiveinDC23
Who: Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn with Ann, Rip, and Jane. Plus, Dr. Neal Barnard and Chuck Carroll
When: Nov. 7, 2023
Where: National Press Club in Washington, DC
🔗 SHOW LINKS 🔗
Gregory J. Reiter Memorial Fund
gregoryreiterfund.org
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--
About Us
The Physicians Committee is dedicated to saving lives through plant-based diets and ethical and effective scientific research. We combine the clout and expertise of more than 12,000 physicians with the dedicated actions of more than 175,000 members across the United States and around the world.

[@victoriagraham5387]

Great episode. Thank you for everything you do. I am 56 and was vegetarian majority of my life and vegan/plant based for years. Last summer i was hit by a minivan while cycling and ended up with a broken collarbone. Opted not to get surgery. After a couple weeks, the bone moved back into position, and began growing back together. Within a couple months the bones were fused together. My doctor said he had never seen so much bone growth in someone my age. He attributed it to my health from my diet and exercise regimen. Its been over a year and have had no issues and have been lifting weights like nothing had happened. I chalk this up to eating a mostly whole food plant based diet. I dont believe i would have recovered the way i did without this diet giving me exactly what my body needed. As a footnote i haven’t had a cold since switching to vegan/plant based. Cheers.

[@user-yz3rv1lw1k]

Hi Doctors, is it ok to eat fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, carrots and apples and oranges with an empty stomach? I do that everyday I hope I'm doing just right.

[@icildaarthurs3115]

I love to listen to doctors I learned how to take care of my body how td

[@geno5169]

I also had 2!A/ fib! Lost my optic nerve I have very little prefer

[@ajm3821]

I love Dr barnard. He seems like such a nice intelligent man. Very kind. I’m 63 and so healthy thanks to him! Been following him for 7 years.

[@indirajayaraman4758]

Great show. I am 67, a South Indian lady and was always a ricebased vegetarian . In 2021, I threw out dairy and extra oil, thanks to Doctor John McDougall. I am a runner: and do the 100 meters in 18 seconds; recently I won the bronze in the World 10 k TCS race with a timing of 1 hour 9 mins. I coach tennis on weekends. And teach piano too. I take no supplements other than B12. My 5 young grandkids are impressed

[@shelleybelle2121]

I'm IMPRESSED 😊

[@indirajayaraman4758]

Ha, ha! Thanks

[@geno5169]

I also was a runner up to 17 miles! Did all races ! Then I got really bad arthritis in my hip! Now I go walking

[@geno5169]

I too was a runner up to 17 miles! Did all kinds of races! Then I got really bad arthritis in my hip! Now I go walking!

[@freespiritwithnature4384]

Watch your joints. I overdid it,and now my spine is full of herniated discs. It's definitely not worth the pain. We're aging ,but chronic pain is exhausting.

[@345kobi]

5 best foods for strong immune system - Dr. Neal Barnard 1. Oranges - citrus foods 2. Garlic - allium family 3. Beans/lentils 4. Soy Milk - other non dairy 5. Exercise

[@ibc7960]

Thank you!! I don't have time to listen so I always look for the quick notes.

[@beanie5677]

Thank you ….don’t have time

[@stk6mkt]

So let's see....the #5 food is exercise. Is that correct?

[@alegitimateonlinebusiness3133]

Thanks for your excellent program, guys.....this is very important to know about........I`s like to share something that`s not widely understood, which is called the 8 LAWS OF HEALTH, which are found in the book, Ministry of Healing, written by Ellen White, and have been proven to be beneficial, and necessary to everyone....They can be based on the acronym...NEWSTART...Nutrition(proper nutrition is based on the diet that God gave Adam and Eve in the Garden...fruits, after the entrance of sin, they ate vegetables, and meat)_ EXERCISE...the benefits are widely known WATER........As above SUNSHINE...For Vit D, plant growth,etc....many uses for sunshine are well known TEMPERANCE...A little-used word, meaning to avoid unhealthy food and drinks, and consume good food and drinks sparingly AIR.....Pure, clean air, preferably negative-ion charged air, from the coastal or rural areas.....we all know how long we`d last without any 0xygen.... REST.....Sleep-deprived people get sicker more quickly and stop functioning normally TRUST IN DIVINE POWER.......Countless studies have shown that people who trust or believe in a Divine Power outside of themselves, which can help and heal, afre much happier and contented than those who don`t......I recommend reading the 4 Gospels in the King James Authorized Version of the Bible. It can and will change your life...:)

[@laikiugarland1082]

thx !

[@g41133]

We've been following Dr. Barnard for years! Wish ALL doctors had his intelligence/compassion ❤

[@graemecarrasco784]

Good for you! You probably need to supplement with vitamin B12.

[@g41133]

@@graemecarrasco784 So do you and most everyone else!

[@brieannatyler6055]

"We don't need to sneak up on a strawberry" 🤣🤣 Oh, I love Dr. Barnard and his humor!

[@dovaillancourt]

I am sick right now and my soup is barley and mushroom and it is delicious !!!

[@potterylady44]

Wow❤❤❤

[@beverleyhusbands2544]

​@@peter5.056😊

[@susanlemee564]

This is probably a Wierd comment but I recently went to the zoo with my grandkids and all these huge animals are eating leaves and greenery!! Just like us vegans. I am 70 years old and have Been vegan for 2 years and I am very healthy and not on any meds! I feel great and my bloodwork is wonderful! Thank you Dr Barnard for all your videos!

[@beanburrito8903]

Everyone on KZbin talking about health drives me nut. This channel is the only channel that speaks music to my ears. No lies. no misinformation.

[@dellisgibbs5823]

Yes the only channel that interests me also

[@345kobi]

I quit dairy and got rid of my autoimmune disease - ulcerative colitis. Thank you Dr. Barnard and a couple of other good and knowledgeable people.

[@sebastiannarchelogyofbible1881]

You mean we can get cured from autoimmune diseases if we stop taking diary products ?

[@geno5169]

Was it hard to quit dairy?? I did switch to plant based! But I’m having trouble staying away from some ice cream! I drink unsweetened almond milk ! Plus putting it in my smoothies! I’m also struggling staying away from pizza! I get veggies though!

[@JeraldJamesCapao]

The thing that was hard to give up was Ice Cream.. but I tried not eating it for a month, and now, I don’t crave for it anymore. 😂

[@chubzeee1]

This beautiful song helped me to memorize this scripture. Thank you and I hope you do more scripture songs in English. God bless you.

[@user-sk6mh2pi4y]

I have not been sick since I turned vegan. Immune boosters: orange, garlic, soy milk (non-dairy), dragon fruit, beans and exercise/good sleep.

[@toni4729]

And how long has that been? A year, two? Last forty.

[@ajm3821]

Vegan for 7 years. So healthy at 63!

[@toni4729]

@@ajm3821 What else did you give up? Sugar, wheat, bread, cakes, cookies, all that junk food you used to eat? Don't tell me only gave up meat because meat has kept us alive for thousands, (if not) millions of years. How many extras do you have to take? All the junk that has B12 added to it? You're being fooled and what's more you're old enough to know better.

[@jbidwell605]

Dr Barnard is so intelligent. I just love his videos. Thank you for interviewing him. He is lovely.

[@chezzachezza60loves16]

Recently diagnosed with high cholesterol and raised blood pressure so trying to help both with low cholesterol diet low sodium etc and I find your yoga and meditation at the end lowers my bp better than anything ! xx

[@epenesaruth8650]

Thank you for this podcast ❤

[@lindaschreiner8676]

Great show! Gets me back on track, especially listening to Dr. Barnard. I am 67 and will once again cut out the dairy & the occasional chicken I eat now.

[@luluandmeow]

Thank you Dr Barnard, Chuck and Alison and everyone at the Gregory J Reiter Fund, you are lifesavers!

[@beverleyhusbands2544]

My drink of choice for a cold is to boil cinnamon, cloves, garlic, ginger and add a squeeze of lemon and a bit of honey if desired!

[@grannysweet]

😆

[@CathrinCatherine]

Listened to this on Spotify and as always a pure delight soaking up Dr. Barnards wisdom and Chuck’s awesome vibes 🙏🌱

[@mini4196]

Thank you both so much 😇love the shirt and tie colors combo of today Chuck🙏

[@tlcasey]

Currently working on healing my gut and liver- great information Thankyou!

[@dayabamunusinghe447]

Great advice. Thank you both

[@aprilynngaines1718]

Thank you for all the great information!!

[@annejames890]

I love when you said get out of the bed . At 61 i find it so hard i stay in bed 45minutes most mornings , not because i am tired , i don’t understand why i do it but i am definitely trying to change that. Thank you so much . I am changing my diet . I have Barrett’s esophageal. I take Prilosec every day on it helps but I don’t wanna stay on it. Also I have type two diabetes and I am now on call Ozempic, which I am planning to get off very soon.

[@maitrayee22]

Excellent video. Thank you Dr. Bernard and Chuck. I enjoy your amazing channel. Regards !

[@trudywretched]

Great ep! Chuck and Dr. B just crushing it!

[@AnfacD]

Masha Allah waxaa ka hadleysiin qaar waa fahmey, qaarna ma fahmin. Waa mahadsantihiin dhamantiin.

[@Igweka7695]

Thanks for all you do. Please can you allow for download? I normally listen to your life saving podcasts repeatedly. And data is something else here (Nigeria) 🎉

[@vmobile890]

Could you buy a cassette sound recorder to tape the audio .

[@melyndaduh3501]

Learned new things today. Thank you.

[@cassandrapno]

I broke my elbow at 51. Was eating vegan and was taking prescription vit d at the time,,, my fracture healed in 3 weeks. My dr was amazed. He asked me what i was eating…. Beans and greens everyday! I swear it was the collard and rainbow greens!

[@Xoxo-kj4vy]

Which type of beans

[@klerain5774]

I used to be extremely sick until a Vegan entered my life and told me what happens in those horror Animal AG farms so I went Vegan - within 2 months my body completely healed. My doctor was so shocked he couldn't speak. I've not been sick for almost 9 years. I don't get colds or flu which I used to get twice a year as a non vegan. I don't get flu injections. I've not had covid and I've not been vaccinated. Everyone I know that has all their vaccinations have had covid 3 times and felt like they were dying. I'm almost 65.

[@pkerber]

Funny. Everyone I know who didn’t get the Covid vaccines not only got Covid but many ended up in the hospital. Seven of them died.

[@tlcasey]

Wow this is so interesting as I have heard so many people who went vegan and suffered terribly with nutrient deficiencies, bad skin etc.

[@LydiaZ36]

​@@tlcaseyvegan is not the diet promoted on this channel. We are WFPB.

[@brendadimarco2305]

@@tlcaseythere’s a lot of vegan junk food which is not healthy. Better to be WFPB and eat plants instead of things made in a plant.

[@Kristers_K]

@@tlcasey There are various ways to eat ''vegan''. Junk foods are a great example, they are low in nutrients in general, aside from protein and fats, obviously. Vegans who eat mostly WFPB and do not ''diet'' or restrict food intake...have no issues, other than unrelated medical issues.

[@LettuceCookPlants]

Great episode ❤❤

[@jgg22100]

Thank you! 1st time listener. Great info!

[@halimashahab6863]

Great discussion ❤🙏🇨🇦

[@edithaleicjen]

Great discussions. Learn a lot... thanks.

[@lindaripp5902]

Thanks

[@annwilliams6438]

Try Redbush tea. (Rooibos). No caffeine. Even more antioxidants. :)

[@nancydoan611]

Thank you very much 👍♥️👏💐

[@davidcash1801]

GOD IS GOOD LET US 🙏 PRAY HOPE TELLING EVERY THING WILL HELP ALL OF US

[@drusiesheldon1002]

Fabulous series! Amoung the alternatives to cows milk, how does Oat milk rate. For me I don’t miss cows milk. Oatley is such a great tasting oat milk that I would never even consider going back to cows milk! Dr. Barnard, what do you think?

[@suicune2001]

Thanks!

[@sciencelad8286]

For what it's worth...In your comment about no broken bones being past 60 years old. Well, I am past 70, Vegan, and still play soccer, love to swim, bike and run. I do a little bit of rock climbing for fun. I recently had a really severe sports accident playing indoor soccer where a kid slammed into me like a bull (he thought his life depended on getting that ball, probably) I fell on a hard floor, straight on my shoulder (it was a basketball court...it doesn't get any harder than that) and I had no broken bone, but I did break ligaments.

[@pinktink77vp]

"We don't need to sneak up on a strawberry." 🤣😂🤣😂 Thank you for the chuckle.

[@geno5169]

I did keto for years! Now I’m trying to get rid of my clogged arteries from that diet! I switched to vegan ! It’s is so much healthier ! I’ve never felt so good about myself and looked so much healthier!

[@jimmymacnutrition6628]

Keto doesn't clog arteries.

[@matty_o]

Keto doesn't do that. Unless you were eating processed meats like hotdogs ,sausages ,spam, beef jerky etc and at that point I'd say that was just a junk diet not keto

[@matty_o]

Keto and Atkins are not the same but even carnivore diet will refute what you're saying.

[@Cyd1057]

BEST broth for colds has 2 heads of garlic, which Dr. Barnard mentioned as good for your immune system, and is very flavorful. Look up Deborah Madison’s “Herb and Garlic Broth.” It’s in her book Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone. Delicious! You won’t regret it.

[@paulcohen6727]

Dragon fruit grows in the field next-door here in the Philippines. Not too much exercise getting it here.

[@wendyluo-elliott9411]

Lucky you

[@stanTrX]

Thanks and hi from overseas

[@anngile6274]

11/7 will be my 87th BD and although I live in N. VA just ac ross the bridge from DC I won't be attending - Boo Hoo - i wish all attendees a great informative time!

[@victoriawhite3662]

🎉 happy birthday!🎂

[@tiahbawa5771]

Hello and thank you! Which is better, frozen or dried fruit (if you can't find fresh). Examples, dragon fruit and gooseberries.

[@kathfletcher8796]

8.57pm Dec 14-Thank you, info explained so clearly and understandable. Do appreciate this information so very much knowing I am giving myself the best opportunity to be healthy implementing this info in my diet! NZ listener.

[@MendeMaria-ej8bf]

Finally I got it: If I eat more green stuff I can leave out dairy. I'm a vegetarian. Thank you.

[@kathleenmarie4336]

Great information, thank you.😊

[@donnaguffee7280]

Do you have any recommendations for building the immune system for those with Multiple Myeloma? I have light chain disease that affects the kidneys.

[@artwillvideos]

I’m harvesting persimmons from my yard! Loaded it into chronometer and see that they are great providers of vitamin C 💪🏽!

[@justinanthenge619]

Yes they are in season!!

[@DDJones-yi1pm]

Great Discussion As Always!!🥦🍄🥕🍆🥑🍅🍎🍉🍊🍍

[@jaysilverheals4445]

they always say "plus its antibacterial" but they never mention that can be bad for you gut biome bacteria. Even when making sauerkraut and other fermented food you have to be careful about adding too much garlic since its antibacterial and can mess up the bacteria doing the fermenting. also eating too much nutrition it overwhelms the mitochondria and they start to break up. Its known one of the only ways to increase and strengthen mitochondria is periods of partial starvation so conversely when health food people eat too much it can make them degrade. We almost all eat too much but its hard to "constantly starve yourself".

[@winterlark3986]

I am addicted to eating dates so a study on maximum allowance would be of interest to me as well, lol! Great immunity discussion today.❤

[@potterylady44]

Love dates!

[@beverleyhusbands2544]

What about Kiwi and guavas for vitamin c

[@paulcohen6727]

@@peter5.056 Technically, dates are not a dried fruit. They come that way off the tree.

[@sharmann8490]

@@peter5.056 how can your triglycerides and cholesterol go up if you’re eating a plant? Can “fruit“ sugar from dates actually increase them?

[@lispendens]

I used to eat literally pounds a day of dates and when I did my triglycerides were at their all time lowest and I was at my lowest weight. You don’t get fat off dates Peter 😉😂 How would that be scientifically possible? They aren’t even 1% fat, they’re LESS than that (medjool). Be sure you eat low fat if you eat high carb, it’s most important. I mean like absolutely no overt fats, less than 3% calories from fat a day.

[@daviddjerassi]

Because of my age i eat stewed apples every morning with blue berries and cream but i suffer awful acid in my gut im 89 years.THANK you for all your valued videos.

[@Worldpeace353]

How do you stew your apples? This sounds yummy If you have acid in your tummy, try apple cider vinegar. 1 tablespoon with 8oz water every morning

[@anncannon9668]

​@@Worldpeace3537:51

[@Jeca6280]

Leave out the cream

[@daviddjerassi]

OK Thank you .@@Worldpeace353

[@karenwalls1057]

Good Morning, I just stumbled across this podcast and I luv how informative this is. My Husband and I try to eat healthy by eating a lot of fruit and vegetables but I’m wondering about my 14 year old very active granddaughter not eating meats for protein that her parents want her to eat, she also eats a lot of fruit and veggies , what can she eat that we know she can stay healthy with plenty of protein?

[@tarynkimwestover553]

Some of us who are disabled (in a wheelchair) can't exercise. Any advice for that situation.

[@tadepalliprasad]

Thank you for very valuable advice.as new viruses evolve does human immunesysyem update it's capability as the machine (*computers) manufaturers keep updating their software(code) from time to time?

[@Ded-Ede]

5:31 what about citrus leaves or pepper leaves to make or to add to ferments? My citrus plant refuses to make any fruit so I’m wondering can I use the leaves and get any major benefit love vitamins C???

[@larrymcmanus4651]

Great thank😢😂❤

[@tnvol5331]

How important is the omega 6 to omega 2 ratio with cancer?

[@pascalxus]

i wish I could give 2 or 3 thumbs up to this!

[@daisyalvarez592]

can you please talk about CO-Q10

[@geno5169]

I also had 2 A/fib! Lost my optic nerve vision at age of 47! I just have very little prefer !

[@bellepiz6860]

thank for sharing your health information...

[@yiliao123]

What to do to increase WBC?

[@joannehung2417]

Hi Dr, when you said fatty food is no good for diabetes, what about the oil ? like olive oils and sesame oils for my salads, will the oil work as bad as fatty food?

[@lizpeters5501]

oranges, garlic, beans ( for zinc) , soy milk, exercise

[@J.Ella17]

I’m 42 i used to feel hurt my back when I awake im trying running and eat more fruit and vegetables im eat 2 raw small garlic every day. I take 1 magnesium It help me a lot my back no more hurt im feel great to all day.

[@shireenramnarain4005]

Well n good What happens if ur immune system is too strong n eating good n bad cells Help someone

[@meganginger3791]

"We dont need to sneak up on a strawberry" 🍓 😊

[@gregorygreene1940]

My endocrinologist says to have a small piece of cheese with the apple to lower the glucose spike. Works well for me but test yourself to be sure.

[@beverleyhusbands2544]

In the Caribbean we use orange peel in in some homemade drinks!

[@natalierangkla]

Yum! 🍊🍊

[@tiffanybittman7523]

Okay I have a question for those of us who work until 10 pm and are up at 6/7 am . How to sleep good when still need to eat, take care of animals etc etc when get home. Suggestions

[@kev12364]

I think the best fruit for vitamins C is guava . Also I was reading that small frozen blueberry’s and better than large one.

[@smallfootprint2961]

Vit c us found in lots of whole foods. Eat according to the calorie density charts, and there's no need to track nutrients.

[@wendyluo-elliott9411]

Guava is not available nor affordable in America. In Asia’s we eat delicious and cheap guava every day.

[@michelleturner6370]

What does the fluoride in green tea do to the thyroid?

[@beverleyhusbands2544]

Coconut icecream is my choice when i feel like ice cream

[@toni4729]

That's the best comment I've read. And the most sensible. Keep it up.

[@ekendallo]

Do greens powders help you raise you HDL or good cholesterol levels?

[@Amanda_downunder]

Happy belated .. World Vegan Day to everyone.

[@MichelleZinCR]

@brendaca7 great episode. Take a listen if you have time ❤

[@teegee289]

What are tumble roasted peanuts in shell. Non gmo. No oil considered? Bean? lentil?

[@peggyrivera3964]

My concern is, I went plant based not fat no oil and I loved it but my hair started falling out. I went to a Functional Medicine doctor and he said that was the worst diet for me. He found l had thyroid antibodies and ex Hashimoto’s and anemia. How could I do this without triggering hashimoto’s and anemia?

[@nanacheryl1]

Dates use to sweeten your apple pie much better than refined sugar

[@Miechoman]

Great episode! I can be a guinea pig, just give me the dates ;)

[@vilmamotayne3640]

I'm Laura. I have type 2 diabetes I've been eating plant-based and a lot of fruits no olive In my diet. So doe that means that the fat that's blocking my cells will eventually go away?

[@geno5169]

I eat fruit everyday in my oatmeal! Smoothies!

[@joannefrench1172]

I have autoimmune disorder. Will these foods help me heal it?

[@annpippin6388]

No list?.

[@mdjones35]

"special place in hell for dairy protein" 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mass4630]

Love it ❤

[@allyeenm4044]

If I am gluten sensitive what can I eat?

[@rautsai_00pm23]

.. Fat in the food cause insulin resistance??! What type of fats are bad? Thanks.

[@JoeMuyLoco]

These people will condemn saturated fat. Polyunsaturated fats, the type of fats the big food conglomerates use to make all those wonderful and toxic low-fat treats that they market. You're in the wrong area of you want to learn about insulin resistance. You wont get an answer from these people. Pure vegan dogma here.

[@ginabrown3901]

Heard lots of times fruits & vegetables, but when did he mention the 5 foods set on the Title???

[@yiliao123]

Is WBC 2.7 too low?

[@jenny-leighparmley6094]

Easy to buy decaf green tea😊

[@nolagirlhomestead]

Yes. Bigelow makes a green tea decaf. I didn't find it had any taste.

[@pete49327]

Dr. Will Bulsiewicz says best vitamin C fruit is the Kiwi...compared to single average orange, same serving size of kiwi (about 2 of smaller fruit) has about 25% more fiber, 90% more vitamin C, 70% more potassium, 70% more magnesium, 800% more vitamin E. As for vitamin K, the orange has none, while the kiwi has 30% RDA.

[@annwilliams6438]

Nice.

[@marymcandrew7667]

Great reminder, I forgot about that and remember him saying it now!

[@ms-tw7tu]

I eat 2 golden kiwi fruit a day for vitamin C. The golden variety has higher vitamin C content than the green kiwi.

[@epenesaruth8650]

Chocolate what are the benefits or Not?

[@davidhutchinson5233]

Dr. Barnard is 70 years old but he looks about 55.

[@toni4729]

I wonder how many facelifts he's had? 😆

[@valeriefromoregon]

Fasting is the key to looking young and genetics.

[@ajm3821]

I wonder why they say Dr Greger looks 75 and he is 51.

[@toni4729]

@@ajm3821 He doesn't look right or even talk properly, yet people fall over themselves believing all the crap he comes out with. Good doctors are ignored.

[@maiwurld2578]

He is 70? He looks young