Having a healthy immune system can make all the difference to your health and
the number of illnesses you succumb to. Viruses are all around all the time, yet
only some of us catch them. Why? Because if your immune system is strong, it
will fight them off before you get them; whereas, those whose systems are not as
strong will get sick more frequently.
Conventional medicine tries to kill everything to prevent you from getting
sick but does little to help the overall immune system. Natural medicine, on the
other hand, tries to strengthen the overall system so that you can fight
illnesses off, no matter what kind they are. It’s like a pond that is infested
with malaria mosquitoes. You can spray the pond and kill the insects, but the
pond is still stagnant and the mosquitoes will come back. But if you drain the
pond and clean the water, then it won’t matter if the mosquitoes come back
because the pond is no longer a good place for them to live and breed.
That works for your immune system too. Strengthen it and it won’t matter what
you come into contact with: You’ll have a better chance of fighting it off.
Some Simple and Effective Ways to Avoid Getting Sick
What you eat or don’t eat can make all the difference to a weakened immune
system. To prevent illness, drink plenty of fluids – dehydrated mucous surfaces
are a better breeding ground for viruses – but avoid sugar and sugary fruit
juices. Sugar depresses immune functions. This depression happens because
glucose and vitamin C compete for transport sites into the white blood cells
(one of your body’s main defenses against illnesses). Increased levels of sugar
decrease vitamin C levels and may result in a reduction in white blood cell
function. Even fruit juice, like sugary orange juice, can depress immune
function: Studies show that sugar of all kinds impairs the ability of white
blood cells to kill bacteria and that it weakens the immune system and competes
with vitamin C.
As well as avoiding sugar, it is equally important to avoid dairy and other
mucous forming foods like gluten, especially if you’re susceptible to illnesses
like colds and sinusitis. These foods create a mucousy surface and allow
bacteria and viruses to thrive.
In addition to watching what you eat, pay attention to other bodily needs, such
as rest. Go to bed early and stay there if you are not feeling well. During deep
sleep, strong immune enhancing compounds are released and many immune functions
are greatly increased.
Herbs can also help to support your immune system. Here are some of the most
effective. . .
To read the rest of
this article,
please
subscribe to Natural Life's digital edition,
which includes back issue access.
Linda Woolven is a master herbalist, certified acupuncturist and
solution focused counselor with a private practice in Toronto, that also focuses
on vitamins and nutrition. She has published three books: “The Vegetarian
Passport Cookbook,” “Healthy Herbs,” and “Smart Woman’s Guide to PMS and
Pain-free Periods,” with three more on the way. Contact her by email at
Woolven@sympatico.ca.
