We need to arm ourselves against the harmful ailments attacking our bodies every
day. Our biggest defense against outside invaders is the immune system. Failing
to keep this system fortified puts us at risk for bacteria, viruses and diseases
we’d all rather do without. Don’t let your guard down—help your body
support a healthy immune system.
The Importance of Immune Health
Zinc
- The importance of Zinc:
- Zinc is among the best immune system boosters available. This element increases
the production of white blood cells and other important antibodies. Zinc also has
the ability to directly kill bacteria and viruses by poisoning the invaders and
then quickly triggering the body’s white blood cells to join the site of infection.
- Sources of Zinc
- Foods
- Oysters, zinc-fortified cereals, crab, beef, turkey (dark meat), beans.
- Zinc vitamins/supplements:
:
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Vitamin D
- The importance of vitamin D
- It’s proven that our immune system’s T cells remain completely dormant
without the presence of vitamin D. These T cells play a significant role in activating
other white blood cells that fight off infections. T cells also kill tumor cells,
virally infected cells and even parasites. And thanks to vitamin D, we benefit from
all of these important immune system functions.
- Sources of vitamin D:
- The sun:
- Where you live and how much time you spend in direct sunlight helps determine the
amount of vitamin D your body naturally produces. So play it safe, and make sure
your body is maintaining levels of vitamin D necessary for a strong immune system.
- Foods
- Vitamin D supplements:
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Echinacea
- The importance of echinacea:
- Echinacea is an herb that has been used as a health remedy by Native Americans for
hundreds of years. According to research, it can significantly increase the body’s
white blood cell count. Echinacea does this by stimulating the activity of the immune
system’s cells. More specifically, this herb increases the body’s count
of T-cells, interferon, interleukin and immunoglobulin. These all help to fight
off infection.
- Echinacea Supplements
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Elderberry
- The importance of elderberry
- For thousands of years, the elderberry has been recognized as a health promoter
by many cultures. Today, science recognizes its ability to powerfully enhance the
immune system as it contains a high concentration of anthocyanins, boosting the
production of the protein cytokine. This small protein acts as a messenger within
our immune system. Its presence greatly enhances the immune system’s response
to disease.
- Sources of Elderberry:
- Foods.
- Elderberries are commonly eaten in Europe. You might find elderberries in jellies,
desserts and other berry dishes.
- Elderberry Supplements
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Garlic
- The importance of garlic
- This flavorful member of the onion family stimulates the production of disease-fighting
white blood cells and antibodies. Garlic is also clinically proven to rid the body
of harmful parasites in the intestines and free radicals in the bloodstream. It
is even known to improve heart health as it helps keep platelets from clogging blood
vessels.
- Sources of garlic
- Foods
- Almost every culture relishes in the culinary benefits of garlic, but nearly everybody
shies away from the smell of garlic breath. There are many other ways to reap the
benefits of garlic without the stinky side effects (see supplements below).
- Garlic supplements:
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