It is no secret that we must eat and drink to stay alive. We are told from the time we are children that food provides energy, exercise keeps you in shape and herbs are only for those who "believe." But there's more to it than that - these are the "tools" that can help strengthen your immune system. Here are 6 easy steps you can take to build your immunity
Food provides far more than energy. The nutrients in food are your building blocks. These building blocks are used on a daily basis to make new cells including your white blood cells, also known as your immune cells. So when you hear the old saying to "eat a balanced diet," this is why, to get all your necessary building blocks. In fact - this balanced diet should be explained further to include plenty of fresh fruits and veggies. And just so you know - organic produce has been shown to have up to 40% more nutrients. Eating plenty of healthy foods such as fruits and veggies will give you the building blocks your body will use to boost your immune system.
Just as healthy food gives you the building blocks necessary to boost your immune system, junk food will rob your body of these nutrients leaving less than what you need to stay healthy. It takes a lot of "energy" to break down junk food, since these types of foods are not easily digested. Also, many contain chemicals that the body doesn't recognize so it will store them in fatty tissues. (It may be in minute amounts, but on a daily basis they add up!) So limit the "fun foods."
For those with limited time or appetite, fresh vegetable and fruit juice may be more convenient. in fact, you can consume nutrition from 10 carrots and benefit from all the nutrients, but it would be very difficult to eat and digest the same amount. This works well for those who don't have time to eat salads but still want the extra nutrition.
It is well known that exercise strengthens your body and stimulates your immune system. Exercise also stimulates your circulatory system and helps move the lymphatic system (which carries immune cells). This is needed for your body to carry out waste while transporting nutrients to where they are needed. At the same time, deep breathing also helps release metabolic waste. At the least, go for a brisk 20-30 minute walk 4 times a week.
It is becoming widely known that herbs do support the body's defense systems. Garlic in a known antibacterial, echinacea has been shown to boost the body's immune system and a substance in goldenseal has been shown to fight infections and tumors. In fact, many pharmaceuticals are merely lab replicas of herbal compounds. But what about side effects from herbs? There really are none. What is known, however, is that by taking herbs the body may change by revving metabolism or even assimilation. In fact, this is also a side-effect of changing to a healthier diet. What you must be careful of is the body's reaction when taking medications.
A Cleansing program can help clear stored toxins and built up waste. This helps the immune system by clearing the extra burden of having to battle stored toxins every day. Your immune system already must fight pathogens, bacteria and virus constantly, even if you always wash your hands. So clearing the extra internal waste will help free up the immune system from the internal toxic buildup.
These are just some of the things that you can do to help your body become stronger and boost your immune system. But remember - healthy food and herbs don't heal your body. These are tools to help you make your body stronger so that it can do what it was made to - keep you alive and healthy.