What exactly is your immune system and why are we trying to boost it?
Simply put, the immune system is made up of cells whose job it is to fight off disease and pathogens. So, our immune response is vital to protecting our body from free radicals, bacteria, toxins, and virus that can lead to disease and illness.
Healthy ways to boost your immune system
Practice Healthy Habits
Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables. Limit processed foods, or eliminate them altogether.
- Processed sugars contribute to inflammation and affect your immune response
Exercise regularly.
- Promoting good circulation allows the cells that make up the immune system to move through the body freely and do their job efficiently
Get adequate sleep. 7-8 hours is ideal
If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation
Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.
Try to minimize stress. Stress produces cortisol which can interfere with immune response
Increase Vitamins & Minerals
Food is always the best source of vitamins and minerals. However, supplements can help to increase the intake of vitamins and minerals when your immunity is low.
A word about supplements… all are not created equally and they are NOT regulated by the FDA. There are 3rd party companies that research and evaluate the effectiveness and quality of different supplement manufacturing companies. This gives you more information when making your choice. A book that I recommend to review the different supplement companies when choosing which to buy is “Nutrisearch Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements” by Lyle MacWilliam, BSc, MSc, FP.
Vitamin C
- As a supplement Liposomal Vitamin C is preferred as it’s easier for the body to absorb
- Foods rich in Vitamin C: Oranges, orange juice, guava, sweet red peppers and chili peppers, broccoli, papaya, mango, cauliflower, brussel sprouts
Zinc
- Available as a stand alone supplement or combined with other supplements to make it even more effective
- Foods rich in Zinc: shellfish, (oysters!), red meat, legumes (chickpeas, lentils, beans), seeds, nuts,
Vitamin D
- Best way to receive your Vitamin D for the day? 10-20 minutes of sun exposure (with sunscreen applied, of course)
- Can also be provided as a stand alone supplement or combined with other supplements like Magnesium to make it even more effective
- Foods rich in Vitamin D: Salmon, sardines, tuna, (oily fish), egg yolk, mushrooms & red meat, cow’s milk & soy milk
Also, so easy to introduce into your diet
- Tumeric, a spice that can be added to a smoothie or relaxing tea before bed
- Reishi & Shitake mushroom, include beta glucans support immune system,
- Honey
- Elderberry
- Ginger, many delicious meals include ginger, as well as healthy snacks
USANA Health Sciences can be found and researched in the book mentioned above, “Nutrisearch Comparitive Guide to Nutritional Supplements.”
All links below are 10% off the suggested retail price. Or, to order, call 914-450-3618 or email, laurie@balancelightwellness.com.
Proglucammune, combines antioxidant-rich, organic reishi and shiitake mushroom extracts with a unique strain of baker’s yeast and Zinc to help your immune cells adapt to your unique needs.
Link to buy: https://www.usana.com/s/6RN2B3
Vitamin D
Link to buy: https://www.usana.com/s/5b3nu
Booster C 600, supports healthy immune defenses by USANA’s own proprietary Poly C®—a proven complex which has been shown to provide higher levels of vitamin C over a longer period of time. Also providing immune support within this supplement are Zinc, Elderberry, and high-quality Echinacea.
Link to buy: https://www.usana.com/s/84FUx2
Holistic Modalities found at Wellness Centers
– these types of services promote wellness in your body and boost your immunity.
- Infrared sauna raises your core body temperature to mimic a fever, body’s natural defense, essentially stimulating your immune response to fight off infection.
- Vibration Therapy is ideal for stimulating your lymphatic system, so important for a strong immune system.
- Hydromassage uses warm water jets which provide a “no contact” massage (you don’t get wet.) This increases circulation necessary for cells to move around the body to heal and nourish the muscles and tissue.
Try these Immune Boosting Smoothie Blasts!!!
– use a blender or nutribullet to blend together for a delicious healthy boost of immunity
Citrus lift
1 orange peeled and seeded
½ lemon
½ lime
fresh ginger, finger tip amount
2 TBSP raw honey
about 6oz water
Blend well
Exhilirating Eldeberry
6 oz Greek yogurt
6 strawberries, tops removed
2 TBSP honey
2 tsp elderberry juice
1 cup ice
Blend well
*Biotta Elderberry juice can be purchased at supermarkets such as Publix
A little “selfcare” goes a long way in the fight against illness…