In the age of the coronavirus pandemic, there are steps you can take toward helping your immune system stay strong and healthy. Although we are often encouraged to “boost” our immunity, it is a better practice to give it daily support in order to achieve optimal function. You also want to avoid over-stimulating your immune system, as overactivity can result in such problems as autoimmune disease and allergies.
Still, it is important to care for your immune system so it can fight off invaders that might make you ill. Your immune system – which is a complex, interactive network of cells, proteins, organs and tissues throughout your body – is constantly monitoring your body for invaders, such as bacteria or viruses. If it spots something that shouldn’t be there, it attacks the intruders. This is essentially what keeps you healthy. So how can you support it? The following is general information and is not medical advice. Please consult a medical professional before starting any treatment.
One suggestion is this 6-Ingredient Immune Enhancer Cocktail:
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): ACV is a vinegar made from fermented apple juice. Due to its fermented state, it improves the overall growth of healthy bacteria and prebiotics in your gut which strengthens your immune system. ACV also has antibacterial properties that resist the attack of pathogens in your body. Furthermore, it facilitates lymphatic drainage and circulation, thereby assisting with the detoxification process. Finally, it is said that drinking a tablespoon of ACV in a glass of water helps to alkalinize the body, which in turn helps to kill bacteria and viruses.
Manuka Honey: Honey generally has antioxidant and antibacterial properties which help improve the digestive system and boost immunity. It is also full of antioxidants, which are very effective for the removal of free radicals from the body. Honey’s power to kill germs comes from hydrogen peroxide produced with the help of a bee enzyme. Manuka honey has the added ability to attack germs with a substance called methylglyoxal (MGO). The more MGO there is in the honey, the more antiviral and antibacterial properties it has. Since Manuka has higher concentrations of MGO, it is said to be not only an antibacterial and an antimicrobial, but is also said to have immune boosting qualities that are unrivaled in other types of honey. To better ensure the unique healing properties of Manuka honey, look for a reference to a Manuka honey with a high unique Manuka factor (UMF) rating. This number describes the levels of MGO and a precursor, dihydroxyacetone. The range for UMF scoring is 0 to 16, with 16 reflecting superior, high grade levels.
Lemon: Lemons are high in Vitamin C, a natural antioxidant which enhances the immune system and has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Specifically, Vitamin C improves the function of what are called natural killer cells, which help to eliminate infection, and aid in antimicrobial activity. Lemons are also high in zinc (reportedly about 60 mcg of zinc per 100g). Together, Vitamin C and zinc help the body resist infectious diseases as well as reduce the severity and length of an infection. Studies show that lemon and zinc have positive effects on respiratory infections, the common cold, pneumonia, malaria and child diarrhea infections.
Garlic: Garlic is a popular natural remedy for a wide array of conditions, including viral infections. It contains compounds, including allicin, that help the immune system fight germs. These compounds have been shown to boost the disease-fighting response of some types of white blood cells in the body when they encounter viruses, such as the viruses that cause the common cold or flu. One clove contains 5 mg of calcium, 12 mg of potassium, and more than 100 sulfuric compounds — powerful enough to wipe out bacteria and infection. The sulfur in garlic provides the added benefit of helping your body absorb the trace element zinc, which is an immunity booster. In addition to killing parasites in the body, garlic reportedly fights toxins, as well as lowers blood pressure and cholesterol.
Stress Relief: Research shows that the body loses its ability to fight off infections when it’s constantly under stress. Garlic can cause your adrenals to produce less stress hormones and thus reduce your level of fatigue. As a result, you’re better able to stay alert and fight off infectious attackers.
Ginger: Ginger is an absolute powerhouse as it provides a plethora of benefits, only a small portion of which are mentioned here. It has been shown to have impressive antiviral activity thanks to its high concentration of potent plant compounds. Furthermore, it is a strong antioxidant * antimicrobial (kills bacteria, including salmonella) – internally and topically as an antiseptic * contains anti-inflammatory agents * inhibits mucous production and helps clear up congestion * contains zingibain which dissolves parasites and their eggs * ginger root tea eases some throat pain * kills cold viruses * combats chills and fever * lungs: helps with respiratory problems and eases asthma symptoms
Turmeric: Curcumin is an orange-yellow component of turmeric, a spice often found in curry powder. Curcumin possesses anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant properties, all of which make it an excellent ingredient to enhance your immunity. Turmeric naturally cleanses the respiratory tract and helps fight viral infections, including viral replication. Its anti-inflammatory qualities are said to provide relief from respiratory conditions like sinusitis and bronchial asthma, reducing congestion and pain, thereby improving breathing.
Depression Relief: Interestingly, Chinese medicine practitioners have used turmeric for thousands of years to reduce symptoms of depression. The compounds in turmeric are able to stimulate the nervous system while providing positive effects on overall mood, thereby assisting with the balance of all the consequences that come with stress.
A Few More Tips
The following factors can also affect your immunity and should be monitored for optimal health.
Adequate Sleep: When you sleep, your body releases protective cytokines, and production of antibodies – key immune system cells – also drops if you don’t get enough sleep.
Supplements: A healthy, balanced diet which includes fruits and vegetables is critical for optimal immune function. In particular, B vitamins, zinc and selenium have a special role in maintaining your immune response. If you think your diet is lacking in essential micronutrients, consider taking a multivitamin.
Moderate Exercise: Moderate exercise reportedly boosts the immune system. Being active is said to flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways, while the rise in body temperature during a workout may help kill bacteria. Crucially, moderate exercise helps lower stress hormones, which can dampen immunity.
Control Stress: The myriad of health problems that can result from stress is beyond the scope of this post. The presence of stress reduces the immune system’s ability to fight off antigens which causes us to be more susceptible to infections. The stress hormone corticosteroid can also suppress the effectiveness of the immune system. As with many health issues, solutions are ideally based upon an individualized treatment plan. Work, family/domestic and school responsibilities can each take a toll on your stress levels. While you strive to balance your schedule, we encourage you to do exercise and leisure activities tailored to your individual taste. As simple as this may sound, this takes knowing yourself and monitoring your physical, mental and emotional feelings. Leisure make take the form various types of exercise, music, socializing, laughter, aromatherapy – even cooking or cleaning if that relaxes you. The world has certainly responded well to provide many virtual options during the current mandate to socially distance ourselves from each other. The point is to keep pushing to implement something that works for you.
Recipe
Water: Add the following ingredients to a ½ cup of water
Lemon: 1/8 of a peeled medium-sized to large seeded lemon (alternatively, use seeded lime or orange)
Manuka Honey: 1 tbsp
Turmeric: ½ tsp of ground turmeric (alternatively, use a finely chopped turmeric root)
Garlic: 1 tsp crushed (approx. 3 cloves)
Ginger: 1 tbsp finely chopped (alternatively, use a tsp of ginger powder)
Apple Cider Vinegar: 1 tsp
Blend in a bullet using the ‘fine’ blade to achieve a smooth consistency for all ingredients and drink. Makes one (1) serving.
We hope this general information is helpful. Again, we encourage you to consult your doctor before using any of this information to treat a medical condition.
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