I want to know how you can boost and or keep your immune system at its maximum. What supplements and foods should I eat for this?
The reason behind this question is that i am going to be getting prolotherapy in 3 weeks and they say the stronger your immune system is, the better it works. I’m going to see the best prolotherapist in the midwest US.
My immune system is ok i guess. I only get sick about twice a year. However, it takes me about 2 to 3 weeks sometimes to get rid of colds.
Lots of Vitamin C. Do you take vitamin supplements? If you don’t, I suggest you start. And you’re immune system isn’t just OK, it’s great. The average person gets a cold about every two months. Twice a year is about every six months. That’s really good.
Well, if I am around sick people a lot, or if I feel like I am getting sick, I use airborne. Works great!
As far as supplements go cod liver oil is good. Vitamin A is great for the immune system, and the vitamin D works in synergy with A
Foods- in a nutshell, nutrient dense unprocessed foods are the go, including (ducks for cover) saturated fats. Whats that noise? Oh, that’s the low fat Nazis having kittens
Homemade bone broths or stocks are very good sources of vitamins and minerals. I can personally vouch for what a soup made with good stock does for a hangover (although reduction of alcohol consumption works better).
Avoid sugary foods. Refined sugar actually depletes the body of nutrients. It is simply naked calories, no nutrients, but it’s digestion,as does every cellular process, uses nutrients. This applies to white flour and white rice.
As for the fats, saturated fats are necessary for many biological functions and coconut oil in particular has claims made about its ability to fight infections. This is due to it’s high content of Lauric Acid, which is converted in the body to monolaurin. Laric acid cannot be made in the body by the liver as other saturated fats can be.
I’ve used coconut oil to treat infected cuts with my dogs, orally.
One study shows that Chylomicrons may offer protection against toxins, which is what bacteria produce that does you harm. Chylomicrons are created as part of the process of lipid digestion.
About now people will giving this post the thumbs down, screaming “but saturated fat is bad for you, it causes heart attacks; and attracts sharks, or something”. So my challenge to them is to PROVE IT.
Basically eat a healthy, balanced, nutrient dense diet. The only things that should be eliminated are processed and refined foods.
Here are some things that will boost your immune system…
1) keep practicing good personal hygiene care, wash your hands!
2) get plenty of rest. During deep sleep, our body release potent immune-enhancing substances that strengthen your immune system function. By not allowing our body sufficient rest, the immune system will sputter, and as a result, not function at full capacity. We then are more likely to become ill with common illnesses. A healthy, deep sleep allows our body to release a significant amount of growth hormone that boost the immune system and aids in the growth and repair of the body.
3) get moderate and regular exercise
An increase in blood flow associated with moderate exercise helps to circulate antibodies along with white blood cells necessary to fight infection more quickly. As a result, this provides our bodies with an early warning system to ward off potentially damaging germs. In addition, the increase in body temperature as a result of physical activity may aid in inhibiting the growth of bacteria; thus allowing the body to fight infection more effectively.
4) Receiving a Regular Body Cleansing.
Body cleansing is essential because our bodies need to properly eliminate the toxic build up that has formed in our intestines (colon), which may lead to sickness and disease. Our body organs and tissues must be free of toxins for the immune system to function optimally thus enabling our bodies to receive the essential nutrients our bodies need.
5) Boost your immune system by drinking plenty of filtered water.
Water is essential for all living things and keeps our immune system operating optimally while improving the way we feel, look and live. Without sufficient amounts of water, you may experience routine fatigue, dry skin, headaches, constipation, and a decrease normal bodily function which may lead to your body unable to fight off diseases. Without water we would literally dehydrate which could result in the shutting down of vital organs and ultimately end in death.
6) Eliminate all sugar and allergens from your diet.
Just a small amount of sugar has been proven to impair white blood cells up to 50% for very short periods of time. By discovering what our personal food allergies are, then eliminating or desensitizing them will help strengthen your immune system. By removing these triggers, our immune cells are strengthened in order to combat other invaders such as influenza rather than the allergen. The elimination of sugar from your diet can also strengthen immune system.
7) Eat nutritiously
Good foods to eat include organic fruits and vegetables, chloretta, medicinal mushrooms like maitake, shiitake, reishi, or turkey tail. Besides water, wheatgrass juice, aloe vera juice, or green tea are good drinks.
8) Take supplements
Supplements are needed because our bodies can not produce the nutrients necessary to maintain optimum health. There are many nutrients needed in order to maintain a strong immune system. It is very challenging in the world we live in to obtain sufficient nutrition with the foods available to us. They are over processed and void of many essential nutrients. Additionally, food is grown in soils that have been over-planted and saturated with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Vitamin and mineral deficiency subjects us to more diseases, aging, sickness, and the weakening of our immune system.
Best herbs include echinacea, goldenseal or garlic.
Best vitamins include Vitamin A, C, or E. These are a good source of antioxidants, which will strengthen your immune system.
The minerals zinc and selenium also help boost your immune system.
http://www.mypyramid.gov