With all the concern today about Swine Flu and flu season in general I thought I would address ways we can keep our immunity strong, not just today with this current concern, but every day. I have information that ranges from common sense to cutting edge research. First off, do you do the basics that your mom taught you?
- Get plenty of sleep (7-8 hours each night). This is critical to keeping your immunity strong. Studies have also shown you are less likely to have a heart attack and more likely to lose weight if you are getting adequate rest. This is the time your body needs to slow down and regenerate.
- Drink plenty of water (2-3 liters per day). Your body is made up of water so it makes sense that you need to add more good, pure water in to keep it healthy. If your body is fighting being exposed to something you want to give it support by helping to flush out any toxins. Filtered water is best because truly your body doesn’t need the bleach they put in municipal water systems. (Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake too.)
- Eat good food and maintain a balanced diet. Get your fruits and veggies; avoid sugars and high-fat diets (although feel free to be liberal with “cold pressed” fats like many olive oils as long as you are eating them cold, not using them to fry chicken!). See some of my other posts for more information on good nutrition.
You know there is more but you aren’t looking to read “War and Peace” today. Okay! Now onto some of the things your mom may not have told you about. She likely didn’t know this information to share it with you. She may have encouraged you to take a daily vitamin and that is a good start (as long as the supplement actually breaks down in your body and gets absorbed and isn’t tainted with lead like so many are today). You want to choose supplements that are based on food, not synthetics. If the pill is rather small but covers most of the RDA suggestions for a day, it is likely synthetic and packed so tight there is no way your body is going to break it down to take advantage of the nutrients. Plus, our bodies recognize synthetics differently than “real” food. Don’t waste your time or money taking a vitamin your body doesn’t want. Here are some specific “immune system support” supplements:
- B Vitamins: All of them, but especially B6, Folic Acid, and B12. When our bodies are stressed they really go through the B Vitamins so if you have been under extra pressure, get additional B Vitamins in your diet.
- Vitamin A: Also known as beta carotene.
- Vitamin C: Probably one of the most well-known immune boosters; Very helpful for cell regeneration and healing.
- Vitamin E: Not just for healthy skin, it is good for you inside and out.
- Zinc: You may have become aware of the studies showing that zinc helps lessen a virus’ severity and length; taken as a precaution it also aids with prevention.
- Echinacea: This is for short-term use only when you think you may have been exposed to illness. I helps to “supercharge” your immune system but overtime your body adjusts to its use and the affect lessens. Use for only two to four weeks at a time.
- Resveratrol: This miracle supplement that has been featured by Barbara Walters and separately on 60 Minutes has been shown to increase our body’s immunity at a cellular level, where the battle is being waged.
One last tidbit your mom didn’t know about. Your body’s immune system is greatly supported by interferon. Interferon was discovered during the 1950’s in Japan and since then researchers have discovered how to create a drug form that is used commonly for cancer and AIDS patients. From what I understand the side effects are pretty challenging. However, the same immunologist who discovered interferon also created a supplement that helps our body’s boost our natural production of interferon for immune support. I think this is partly responsible for why I didn’t get ill after my dad died last year. Even with all the stress and the lost sleep, I was able to stay healthy and I credit a lot of that to my supplements.
You can learn more about immune support and interferon at the website www.ImmunityFacts.com. If you are interested in getting some good, clinically proven (and money-back guaranteed) supplements to boost your immunity, get in touch with me. I am not into scare tactics but I think there is a lot more we can be doing for our bodies on a regular basis that the media doesn’t tell us about. They would rather scare us and then hope there is a large enough stockpile of drugs to treat everyone. Personally, I am looking to avoid Swine Flu and other illness in the first place. Want to join me?
Donna Copeland is an Independent Shaklee Distributor who enjoys helping people live healthier lives by choosing wisely. You can visit her website at www.DonnaCopeland.MyShaklee.com In case you are curious, the supplements Donna takes each day are: Vitalizer, Vivix, Nutriferon, Osteomatrix (calcium), Alfalfa, GLA (for balancing women’s cycles), Iron, and Liver DTX (for detoxing the liver). Donna is paid by Shaklee for purchases made through her or her website.
