Do you feel like you are always getting colds, skin rashes, headaches, fatigue or sinus infections? Well, maybe you need to do a cleanse that focuses on boosting your immune system, so your body can defend itself better from bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. A good time to start thinking about boosting your immune system is before flu season comes around, or before any airplane travel.
Our immune system is supposed to protect us from these everyday illnesses, but our lifestyle choices can weaken this protective shield, leaving us vulnerable to disease and infections. A lot of the food we ingest is man-made, processed junk that put stress on your body and immune system. We should really be focusing on fresh, natural food. By cleansing out some bad lifestyle habits and junk food you can have your body fighting off every germ that comes your way!
Here are a few foods to eat and foods to avoid while you’re doing an immune system cleanse. Remember to be realistic - cutting out 100 percent of the bad stuff is probably not going to happen! However, if you try to stick to the plan for 2 weeks and work out a diet and lifestyle that work for you, then you’ll start to see some real improvements to your health.
Immune System Suppressors
These are the foods and lifestyle choices that actually weaken your immune system.
Alcohol and Coffee
Both alcohol and coffee lower the amount of white blood cells in your bloodstream. This weakens your body’s defenses against illness. They both impair the body’s absorption of vital nutrients, weakening the body and making it more susceptible to illness.
Cigarettes
Cigarettes contain arsenic, cadmium, formaldehyde, to name just a few of the toxic chemicals that enter your system whenever you light up. All of these will impair your immune function - irritated lungs are much more vulnerable to infection.
Sugar
Too much sugar can also suppress your immune system. Avoid sugar, honey, syrup, chocolate, and check labels for anything ending in “ose”. Avoid white flour and white flour products too - they affect the immune system in much the same way.
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If you have a sweet tooth, you might think this is going to be an impossible task, but stick to it for a coupe of weeks and your cravings will go away. You can have a piece of fruit to curb your craving, but stay away from artificial sweeteners, as they are very toxic, even worse than sugar.
Trans Fats
Trans fats are very toxic, damaging to your body and will certainly weaken your immune system. The main culprits are foods like cookies, cakes, donuts, pizza, fried chicken and most fast foods. When you’re shopping for food, be careful of shortening, margarine, cereal and cereal bars. But remember - the only sure way to avoid eating trans fats is to read labels!
How to Boost Your Immune System
Sleep
When you have a cold people will often tell you to get some sleep, and its true that adequate rest is one of the most important factors in a healthy immune system. That’s why we feel so tired when we get sick. When we sleep, our immune system repairs and rebuilds, ready and armed to fight off all those germs that we encounter throughout the day. Don’t rest only when you get ill - try to aim for a consistent 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
Sunlight
Research has shown that getting 30 minutes of vitamin D from sunlight or daylight strengthens the immune system to fight off disease. Don’t go overboard though. Sunlight is great for your health but you shouldn’t put your skin at risk for skin cancer.
Skin brushing
This is an unconventional technique for boosting blood circulation. Skin brushing stimulates the immune cells to move more rapidly throughout your body and also helps carry toxins out of the body.
Exercise
Exercise stimulates your lymphatic system, which helps fight germs and remove toxins. It also increases oxygen in the body and raises your body temperature, both of which play important roles in boosting immunity. Over-exercising can actually suppress the immune system though, so don’t go overboard.
Immune-Boosting Foods
To boost your immune system, it is important to eat a variety of whole foods. However, there is a small group of foods that you should put particular emphasis on.
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
These immune boosters contain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, all important for keeping your immune system in order and your body free from disease. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables will nourish your body, however there are some that are super immune fighting.
Vitamin C
Try to include a serving or 2 of these super immune-boosting fruits and vegetables every day. Here are the ones that are highest in vitamin C:
Guava
Citrus fruits
Kiwi
Cantaloupe
Strawberries
Bell peppers
Brussel sprouts
Parsley
Vitamin E
Make sure you get enough of this immune boosting antioxidant. The best sources include lean meats, poultry, nuts, beans, grains, fortified cereals and leafy greens.
Beta-carotene
This is a strong antioxidant, which boosts your immune system and can even fight cancer. Beta-carotene converts to vitamin A. Sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, cantaloupe, squash.
Garlic
Garlic contains an antimicrobial compound, Allicin, which encourages the multiplication of germ-fighting white blood cells. Studies have shown that people who consume garlic supplements, or consume garlic everyday, suffer from significantly fewer flus and colds. Two minced cloves of fresh garlic per day, either with food or mixed with water, should do the trick.
PROTEINS
Zinc
Lean meats contain Zinc, which plays a big role in activating the white blood cells that fight bacteria and viruses. Good sources include oysters, beans, turkey, lamb, eggs, fortified cereals, nuts and seeds (especially pumpkin seeds).
Buy Organic
All meat and eggs that you buy should be organic, to avoid unnecessary toxins like pesticides. Only eat wild-caught fish, and also avoid large fish that contain high levels of Mercury (e.g. shark, swordfish, tilefish, albacore and king mackerel).
Yogurt
Yogurt contains beneficial bacteria that populate the intestine and prevent fungal infection. Studies have shown plain yogurt stimulates the immune system and improves overall health. Make sure you buy plain yogurt though - the sugar in most yogurt brands will actually suppress your immune system.
GREEN TEA
Green tea contains a compound named EGCG, a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from cancer. Green tea also has powerful anti-bacterial properties, helps to control dental plaque, stimulates your immune system cells and helps to fight off infection.
WATER
Staying constantly hydrated will ensure your body’s waste fluids are removed quickly and efficiently. Be sure to drink lots of water throughout the day, a glass every hour if possible.
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ReplyDeleteA gaping vacuum of fear and love opened inside me. I knew what it felt like for her to be in such a situation. But after hearing how someone I loved so dearly struggled I have no option but to promise her help. I wanted to help in all possible ways. I sought counsels from an old and experienced nurse whom I've known to deal on natural herbs because I believed in nature. After hearing from me she smiled and before I could say another word she replied me there's cure but natural herbs. I don't care as long as my child is cured! I shouted. She told me about a doctor in Africa who has cured people of herpes. She gave me his email drutuherbalcure@gmail.com I contacted him for my child. I got the herbs I ordered from him. My granddaughter started medication and the next day she told me it's working and within four weeks she testified to me that she's cured! I've always believed that nature has cure for any diseases and I'm happy to tell everyone my child is cured.
Six months later before she found love we went for another test to be sure and here is the result,
Six months after medications;
Her hsv1&2 test results;
Igm - 1.49
IgG - 0.36
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