Are you caring properly for your Immune System?
“MY STRATEGY IS TO STOP THE ASSULTS — TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF FACTORS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM HAS TO DEAL WITH BY CLEANING UP YOUR DIET, HEALING YOUR GUT, LIGHTENING YOUR TOXIC BURDEN AND REDUCING YOUR OVERALL STRESS.”
~ Amy Myers
Ok, so with coronavirus on all of our minds, I feel compelled to write about the human immune system. This topic is crucial for life beyond this current pandemic as well. Beyond precautions like hand-washing and avoiding people who are ill, what can you do to make sure your immune system supported and ready to fight off viruses or any illnesses that you may be exposed to?
While we know “healthy” individuals are not at high risk for this virus, it's an important time to think about HOW we build up our immunity, maintain our optimal health, and generally keep our bodies healthy - especially if you are older and/or are susceptible to illnesses.
You know that it’s important to get enough sleep and reduce stress. You know that eating healthy foods and staying active are musts for your health. But are you aware of the inner workings of your immune system? Educating yourself on this system and how to nourish it will truly make a difference in your health and your mind/body meditations. This article contains great tips on immune boosters; but first, here is a short 101 on our immune system.
Our Immune System
We all know that our immune system is what fights off disease-causing microorganisms AND manages our healing process. This system is key to fighting every kind of insult to the body, from that little shaving nick to the myriad of viruses that exist today. Even the aging process is thought to be more closely related to the immune system than to the passage of time.
YES, a weak immune system DOES result in increased susceptibility to virtually every type of illness. Lasting fatigue, inflammation, slow wound-healing, infections and viruses are all common signs of impaired immune function. Even yeast infections, oral thrush and systemic candidiasis are examples of lower immunity.
By understanding some of the basic elements of the immune system and how they work, you can take responsibility for your own health.
In simple terms, the job of the immune system is to identify things that are foreign or harmful to our natural state (aka antigens), and to then neutralize and destroy them. The immune system is unique in that it executes complex interactions across the majority of our organs, structures AND substances (e.g. white blood cells, bone marrow, lymphatic vessels, organs, and serum factors). They all work in unison to protect the body against infection and disease. It's truly brilliant. Some immunologists have compared our immune system to the military. “There are different branches that each serve a unique function in protecting the body.”
The immune system has the ability to remember specific antigens that it has previously encountered. It does this through two basic means; cell-mediated immunity and humoral immunity. These can also be referred to as “innate” immune cells and “adaptive” immune cells.
In cell-mediated immunity, white blood cells called T-lymphocytes (T Cells) identify and destroy viruses, cancerous cells, bacteria and fungi. T cells mature in the Thymus gland, an incredibly important gland that is located behind the top of the breast bone.
Humoral immunity involves the production of antibodies. These are special proteins whose chemical structures are formed to match the surfaces of specific antigens. When these proteins encounter their specific antigen, antibodies will either damage the invasive cell or alert the white blood cells to attack it. Antibodies are produced by another group of white blood cells called B lymphocytes in our bone marrow. “Jumping genes,” another great term I love, is when the genes inside B cells shuffle around and link up with an astronomical number of different combinations, making the B cell produce a multitude of antibody molecules to match all the different antigens! It is a magical mopping up of antigens!
In addition, the lymphatic system plays an integral part in our immunity. I like to call it our body’s internal highway for toxins. It’s a complex system of organs (spleen, thymus, tonsils, lymph glands) and lymph fluid, that circulates through the lymphatic vessels to provide continuous cleansing at a cellular level.
I could go into more detail, but let’s move on to some ways in which you can help keep your immune system happy and healthy.
Our immune system can only work properly if WE CARE for it properly.
Follow these two simple rules; take in the right nutrients and avoid harmful substances. I think anyone reading this blog knows what to avoid in terms of household toxins, body products, food additives, overuse of antibiotics, etc… But I do want to remind everyone how critical it is to AVOID stress! Stress has a huge impact on our immune systems. More than ever before, increased cortisol levels and adrenal fatigue are creating havoc across the globe.
So what can you do to boost your immune system besides taking standard vitamins and supplements, getting sound sleep and not overeating? My assumption here is that you want some tips that are perhaps new to you. If you want to know what basic vitamins and minerals to take some of my favs include: Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C, Zinc, Magnesium, D, a good B-complex and Omegas. But, the list below provides a few things to consider that may be you have forgotten about or not heard of. If
The Power of Kelp (great source of balanced minerals)
Kyo-green from Wakunaga (supplies chlorophyll needed for tissue repair)
Mitake, Shitake, Reishi Mushrooms (build immunity and fight viral infections); Host Defense is a highly trusted brand in this space.
10 Powerful Plant proteins: Lentils, chick peas, hemp seeds, tofu/tempeh, nuts, quinoa, nutritional yeast, black beans and peanut butter (for the kiddos that are picky).
Astragalus (powerful antioxidant and immune booster)
Echinacea (enhances lymphatic flow)
Goldenseal (antibacterial properties - caution if you’re allergic to ragweed; and also don’t take daily for more than a week)
Bayberry, fenugreek, hawthorn, licorice root (help immune response)
Black radish, dandelion, milk thistle (help with liver and blood cleansing)
St. Johnswort (natural blood purifier)
Picorrhiza, (powerful Ayurvedic immunostimulant)
Garlic (immunostimulant) / Ginger (antiviral, antibacterial, immunostimulant)
Squalene (rebuilds cellular functioning)
Probiotics and Bone broth (helps repair gut lining, improve digestion - and we all know how important the gut is in our immunity)
Powerful antiviral, immune-supporting essential oils, herbs and spices include: Frankincense, Myrrh, Melaleuca, Oregano, Thyme, Ginger, Basil, Ravensara, Clove, Lavender, Cinnamon.
The power of dry brushing and light jumping or Tai chi (incredible support of the lymphatic systems health)
On a final note, I want to end with this quote that is FREE and EASY for each and everyone of us to do (along with lots of laughter of course)!
“RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THE SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS DIRECTED TOWARD ANOTHER IMPROVES THE FUNCTIONING OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AND STIMULATES THE PRODUCTION OF SEROTONIN IN BOTH THE RECIPIENT OF THE KINDNESS AND THE PERSON EXTENDING THE KINDNESS. KINDNESS EXTENDED, RECEIVED OR OBSERVED BENEFICIALLY IMPACTS THE PHYSICAL HEALTH AND FEELINGS OF EVERYONE INVOLVED.
~ Wayne Dyer
