Power Up Your Immune System Health Routine! (2/17/2020)

Every year the same routine.

Your kids come home from school with a cold. One coworker is sick with the flu; another is coughing and sneezing. Your neighbors at theFirst Friday events are all talking about how that nasty virus is "going around." You’re just working hard trying to stay away from them, washing your hands even more than usual, and being careful to not get exposed.

In reality, just because you are exposed to a virus, doesn’t mean you are going to get sick or catch a cold or the flu. However, if your immune system is weakened or not running at its peak, then it is much easier for the viruses to have access, take hold and cause illness. Going to the doctor and getting a prescription  for an antibiotic doesn‘t really solve the problem as the common cold and the flu are caused by viruses and not bacteria, and antibiotics don’t work on viruses. 

The most common infectious disease in the United States?
The cold!

Just being around people who are coughing and sneezing, or being  outside in the cold weather, are not necessarily the ways in which we catch a cold. Did you know that the cold virus stays alive for hours on inanimate objects, such as pens, door knobs, keyboards, etc? We are more susceptible to catching a cold or getting the flu when the virus gets past our compromised immune systems and takes hold. We catch a cold or get the flu due to a weakened immune system, not just because we came in contact with someone who was sick. 

Common contributing factors to a weakened immune system:
• Poor diet; not enough fruits and vegetables
• Emotional stressors in your life
• Eating too much sugar and too many grains
• Not getting enough rest and sleep
• Any combination of the above

Some tips that are surprisingly simple & natural that you can do to help reduce your risk:

Adjust your diet
Increase your intake of whole fruits, vegetables and Superfoods which are loaded with food-based vitamins, minerals and antioxidants offering natural immune boosting properties. Try adding more garlic and mushrooms (reishi, shiitake, and maitake) to your diet. Mushrooms contain beta-glucans and beta-glucans have natural immune-enhancing properties. (1)   Also, increase herbs and spices, such as turmeric (curcumin), oregano, cinnamon, and cloves, which have high ORAC scores and are known to support the immune system. Fermented foods (raw kefir, kimchee, miso, pickles, and sauerkraut) are rich in probiotics (friendly bacteria). Scientific research shows that 80% of your immune system resides inside your digestive tract, so eating probiotic-rich foods, or taking a high-quality probiotic, will help support your immune system health. Try to avoid sugar, artificial sweeteners or processed foods. 

Reduce your sugar intake
Sugar is particularly stressful to your immune system. Consider cutting down on fruit juices, which are loaded with sugar. Substituting with sugar-free is not a healthy replacement as your body can’t process these chemicals. Artificial sugar substitutes are not only very harmful to the immune system, but also harmful to the organs and the body in general. Natural sweeteners, such as stevia and agave make great alternatives.

Get Some Restful & Restorative Sleep
Your immune system operates most effectively when your body is well-rested. Although our busy lifestyles dictate otherwise, research indicates that the body requires a minimum of eight hours of deep sleep each night. It's during this deep sleep phase that the body restores itself, hence the term “restorative sleep.” Make sure you're getting enough deep, restful, restorative sleep. The more rest and sleep your body gets, the faster your body will recover.

Get Regular, Moderate Exercise
Regular exercise is known to increase the body’s resistance to illness. There is evidence that regular, moderate exercise can reduce your risk for respiratory illness by boosting your immune system. In fact, one study found that people who exercised regularly (five or more days a week) cut their risk of having a cold by close to 50%. And, in the event they did catch a cold, their symptoms were much less severe than among those who did not exercise. Be mindful not to over-exercise when you are sick. This puts additional and unnecessary strain on the body’s immune system.

Emotional Stressors
The demands and the effects of our busy lifestyles are not always favorable. They put undue stress on our bodies and our immune systems. Find ways to remove or minimize these stressors. Develop healthful living habits. Schedule a few minutes of personal quiet time each day. Many people have found stress-relieving benefits from meditating.

Adding Supplements to Your Daily Routine
• Vitamin C is a well-known as a very potent antioxidant.
• Citrus Bioflavonoids enhance the absorption of Vitamin C helping fight harmful pathogens.
• Rose Hips are one of the best sources of Vitamin C, which boost the body's immune system.
• Propolis is a bee resin and one of the most powerful broad-spectrum antimicrobials.
• Zinc is a well-known immune boosting mineral.
• Herbs – Many herbs have been used with proven immune boosting and antimicrobial results.

Supplements to power up your immune health routine include:

First Response by Dynamic Nutritional Associates (DNA Labs)
Co-Resist by Professional Botanicals
Immune Response Pack by Professional Botanicals
N-17 IMMUTEC by Dynamic Nutritional Associates (DNA Labs)
Znac (Zinc + Vitamins A & C) by Professional Botanicals
Viral Aid by Professional Botanicals

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