TEN WAYS TO BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
1. Avoid all junk food and processed products such as margarine, white flour, and sugar; cut down on coffee, tea, salt, red meat, and battery-farmed poultry and eggs.
2. Do not take drugs, especially antibiotics or steroids, unless essential. Overuse of antibiotics has been shown to damage the immune system, and many organisms are now themselves immune to them.
3. Do not smoke at all or drink too much alcohol regularly (all smoking, even cannabis, is said to lower the immune system, as does too much drinking).
4. Exercise frequently and regularly, ideally in sunshine and natural daylight; walking, swimming, and other forms of light exercise stimulate the blood flow and increase production of killer T-cells (do not overdo it at first if your health is poor).
5. Eat plenty of fresh (preferably organically grown) fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread, pulses, drink herb or fruit teas and fresh fruit juices.
6. Drink only filtered or bottled water.
7. Reduce your stress levels, get plenty of sleep and take time for relaxation and to nurture yourself: treat yourself to a massage or another stress-reducing therapy you enjoy.
8. Always think positive: there is a great deal of evidence - particularly from Aids and cancer sufferers - to suggest that maintaining a positive attitude to life and health can keep symptoms at bay, and in some cases even reverse the progress of disease.
9. Take supplements regularly to boost your nutrient intake: antioxidants such as vitamins A (or beta carotene), C, and E, and the minerals selenium, zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, and, maganese help protect the body against damage caused to tissues by unstable molecules (free radicals).
10. Make regular use of immunity-enhancing herbs such as echinacea (antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial), ginseng (particularly useful during the recovery process), and astragalus (a general immunity booster).
REASONS FOR BOOSTING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
· The immune system determines how fast you age.
· The immune system fights off viruses, bacteria, and other organisms which try to attack you and cause illness from the common to rare and deadly.
· Your immune system has the power to destroy cancer cells as they are formed.
· Your immune system empties your body’s dustbin every day, getting rid of dead cells, dead invaders, and toxic chemicals.
· Your immune system offers protection from radiation and chemical pollutants.
· If you do not look after your immune system it could loose control and actually cause allergy problems or auto immune diseases like arthritis.
· With a struggling immune system you are often ill more often, more seriously, for more days of your life.
· With a strong immune system you are almost invincible and should lead be able to lead a long, healthy, active life.