Your Immune System
Why there has never been a better time to kick it into a driving gear
Lately, life has thrown us a curveball. We live amidst such uncertainty. Most days we are unsure of what other opportunistic evils are lurking out there, actively plotting our demise. We are in a death battle with “the virus” so, building and protecting our immunity is paramount to preserving our health and some semblance of control.
My mother suffers from some self-diagnosed arthritis and as such turmeric, touted for its anti-inflammatory properties, has been a constant in her life.
She takes it in pill form, and powdered in shakes, like an aloe Vera smoothie and we cook it in meals. Thus far (knock on wood), she continues to enjoy good health so she seems to be onto something.
On the other hand, I recently recovered from COVID.
I used immune-building vitamins before the attack and still use turmeric, vitamin D, vitamin C, and Folic Acid. There are several age-old and time-tested herbs and vitamins used to assist our immune system in functioning at its optimum.
Our immune system is comprised of a collection of specified cells, organs, and tissues. It serves to defend our bodies against invaders foreign and domestic.
There are two components to our immune systems; innate and adaptive. The innate is the immunity you are blessed with at birth. The adaptive is the immunity you will develop as a result of exposure to pathogens.
Antigens: Are any foreign substances your body does not recognize which induce an immune response and eventually the production of antibodies.
Our immune systems have the ability to eradicate many antigens including, germs, viruses, and cancer cells. Your immune system does require some help to be at its best.
Below are some of the foods that can help maintain a healthy balance.
It is of utmost importance that we make every effort to care for and nurture our immune systems. During this season of COVID, it remains our primary mode of defense.
Thankfully, there are many ways and supplements we can utilize for their beneficial role in our overall health:
- Healthy lifestyle: This is the first and most important component of a healthy immune system. This is of primary importance so, as much as you can, nurture your body by eating right, resting appropriately, and incorporating daily exercise.
- Immunizations: Each year we are tasked with the option to receive the influenza shot. This usually ensures a decent percentage of the population gets immunized against the flu. The very young and the elder population, from the age of fifty years, are encouraged to get the Pneumovax vaccine also.
- Nutrition: Eat the recommended daily amounts of fruits and vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Consume foods containing antioxidants that resist the causes of cellular damage. Stock up on your micro-nutrients such as; zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6, C, and E.
- Reduce smoking: Research has shown that smoking reduces the functional ability of your immune system as well as your healing time. Note that smoking in your home and around children may put them at an increased risk of getting many infections. Adults are also at increased risk of getting bronchitis and pneumonia when exposed to tobacco smoke.
- Reduce alcohol consumption: Alcohol has been noted for its role in negatively affecting our immune system. Alcohol consumption predisposes us to increased lung infections.
- Consume probiotics: Probiotics are chock full of healthy bacteria that aids digestion. They increase our absorption of nutrients and improves our immune response. Probiotics are found in some yogurts, some preserved foods as well as in capsule form. They consist of living spores of healthy bacteria or living organisms and colonize the gut.
- Use garlic: Garlic is an anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-bacterial member of the lily family. It has been know to boost the immune system.
- Vitamin D: As a consequence of winter weather, many persons in the Northern Hemisphere are deficient in vitamin D. This is often true for melanated persons. This deficiency negatively affects our immunity. Be sure to have your vitamin D levels checked periodically. Approximately fifteen minutes of sunlight a day makes a positive impact on your immune system.
- Immune Supporting Herbs and spices: There are several immune-supportive herbs and spices such as e.g., ginseng, ginger, and turmeric, to name a few. These have been used in Chinese medicine for millennia to prevent infection and keep the body healthy.
- Zinc: According to PubMed, it has been known for greater than 40 yrs that patients deficient in zinc are more prone to low immune functions. So remember to include your zinc supplements.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Maintaining our weight within healthy limits is another way of managing and warding many disease processes.
Takeaway
Regular exercise, rest, reduced stress and nutrition remain important keys in our quest for good health.
A healthy lifestyle will contribute to general good health which in turn fosters a healthy immunity. Continue to make wise choices and do all that you can to be your best self especially now!
References:
https://www.health.harvard.edu
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc