Boost Your Immune System

What is the Immune system?

The immune system is interesting and complicated. It is designed to defend you against millions of bacteria, microbes, viruses, and parasites. Whenever you get a cut or insect bite you can see the immune system working. Everyday you inhale thousands of germs (bacteria and virus) that are floating in the air. Your immune system deals with all of them. Occasionally a germ will get past it and you will have a cold , the flu, or worse.
Sometimes the immune system works incorrectly. Some examples of this are allergies (immune system overreacting to certain stimuli) diabetes (immune system inappropriately attacking cells in the pancreas and destroying them). Also as we age the immune system weakens for various reasons. Illness that didn’t bother you when you were twenty years old can put a sixty year old in bed for a week or more.

How does the Immune System Work?

Basically your immune system protects you in three different ways.

It creates a barrier that prevents bacteria and viruses from entering your body.

If the virus or bacteria is able to reproduce and start causing problem, your immune system is in charge of eliminating it.

If the virus or bacteria does get into the body, the immune system tries to detcet and eliminate it before it can make itself at home and reproduce.

Keeping the Immune System Strong Naturally

If you have been getting sick with the same illness over and over, it is a signal of a struggling immune system. Since it has such an important job, it is vital for good health and feeling well that we keep the immune system strong and in good working order. Here are a few ways to do that:

• Diet: Eat foods that are full of inflavanoids, plenty of protein and fruits and vegetables.

• Exercise

• Control stress

• Stay away from sugar

• Balance your omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 intake

• Drink plenty of water

• Oil of Oregano: This is a natural antibiotic. 3 or 4 drops everyday will help prevent infection. You can gargle with it or put drops directly in your mouth, followed by a big glass of water
  

• Take probiotics: this is good bacteria which we need to keep out intestinal flora in balance.
  

• Get plenty of sleep

Immune Boosting Supplements

• Garlic -2400-3200 mg daily

• Ginseng –100-200 mg daily

• Echinacea –For prevention 2-3 capsules a day, if sick 6-8 capsules a day

• Glutamine -5-20 mg daily up to a maximum of 40 mg

• A good multiple vitamin

• Vitamin A -50,000 IU

• B complex -100-250 mg daily

• Vitamin C –Start with 1,000 mg and work up

• Vitamin E -400-800 IU natural (not synthetic) daily

• Zinc - 25 mg daily
  

All amounts are suggestions only.