Immune Supplement Reviews Expert Reviews on Immunity Products
With the flu season upon us and winter always right around the corner staying well while those around you sniffle and sneeze requires that you extract as much nutrition from your diet as you can, loading up on the foods that pack the biggest nutritional punch. Avoiding processed foods, grains, and sugar will go a long way toward strengthening your immune system. However, you can do even more by selecting foods that are loaded with specific immune-boosting nutrients.
Eating a diet rich in the following foods will be far better for your health than loading up on handfuls of supplements, or worse yet, falling victim to vaccines that expose you to health risks far worse than influenza. Below, I have outlined what I consider to be the absolute best foods you can eat to help protect yourself this season, although the list is certainly not exhaustive.
Your immune system is your body’s security system. It’s your natural defense against harmful organisms that cause sickness and contagious outbreaks. You come in contact with these agents every day and most are neutralized by your immune system without you even knowing it. However, if your immune system is weak, it may not win the battle against invading organisms, and that’s when you can get sick.
The quality of your immune system relies on you — what you eat, what you’re exposed to, your physical health, and even your mental health. Suffice to say, you can support your immune system with nutrition, you can support it by bolstering your defenses and reducing the invading microorganisms it has to defend against, and you can support it by having good physical and mental health.
Vitamin D-
Vitamin D, AKA the sunshine vitamin, is another nutrient that keeps your immune system strong. In fact, vitamin D deficiency has been directly linked to a compromised immune system. Exposure to sunlight is the best way to encourage your body to produce vitamin D, but it’s not always accessible. Vitamin D supplementation is an easy way to fill the gaps, and make sure to choose vitamin D3 over vitamin D2.
Probiotics-
The good bacteria in your gut are known as probiotics and are responsible for supporting digestion, combating harmful organisms, and keeping your immune system in check. Considering that 70% majority of your immune system resides in your gut, maintaining a balance of probiotic bacteria is essential for nurturing your immune defenses. Probiotic-rich foods like kombucha, sauerkraut, and kefir, or a high-quality, probiotic supplement can help balance your ratio of good to bad bacteria. A probiotic supplement is another effective way to encourage good balance.
Turmeric-
A yellowish spice popular in Indian dishes, turmeric has a number of proven health benefits for the human body. It’s high in antioxidants to protect immune cells from free radical damage. In addition, some studies have reported that the active ingredient in turmeric — curcumin — may be responsible for supporting the action of T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells. This immunomodulatory effect seems to provide support for the body against a wide range of viruses, fungi, and pathogenic bacteria. Add 1/2 to 1 tsp. of turmeric to your meals, or take a high-quality turmeric supplement to provide further nutritional support.
Fermented Foods-
If you are serious about boosting your immunity, then adding traditionally fermented foods is essential. One of the most healthful fermented foods is kefir. Kefir is an ancient cultured, enzyme-rich food full of friendly microorganisms that balance your “inner ecosystem” and strengthen immunity. Besides kefir, other good fermented foods include natto, kimchee, miso, tempeh, pickles, sauerkraut, yogurt (watch out for sugar), and olives. Friendly bacteria have a powerful, beneficial effect on your gut’s immune system, your first line of defense against pathogens, and aid in the production of antibodies
Coconuts and Coconut Oil-
Besides being excellent for your thyroid and your metabolism, coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which converts in your body to monolaurin. Monolaurin is the actual compound found in breast milk that strengthens a baby’s immunity. A great deal of research has been done establishing the ability of lauric acid to enhance immunity. This medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) actually disrupts the lipid membranes of offending organisms. When selecting coconuts and coconut oil, make sure you choose organic ones that are unrefined, unbleached, made without heat processing or chemicals, and are non-GMO.
When you examine this list and begin to condense it down, it doesn’t take long to see that promoting the health of your immune system is similar to promoting your overall health. Give yourself good nutrition, appropriate supplementation, physical fitness, and a de-stressed mind — these tactics are absolutely powerful for transforming your health and catapulting you into a more energetic, vibrant state of life.
