Arm Yourself Against Illness

We are approaching the Autumn Equinox and the signs of fall are all around. Yellow school buses roam the streets, leaves in some areas are turning colors, and signs advertising the flu shot are prominent.

Have you wondered whether the shot is the right choice for you? I believe you are wise to be an educated consumer and consider how you might boost your immune system to fight invading viruses without the negative effects of a vaccine.

It’s not surprising that many of us would trust a vaccine that is promoted by the medical community and backed by the FDA, but there are many areas of concern related to flu vaccines:

• they contain mercury (a known hazard to human health) at levels higher than maximum recommended daily exposure limits.
• they cause immunosuppression, which raises the risk for those who already have suppressed immune systems (these vaccines are tested on healthy individuals, but giving them to already compromised individuals is another situation).
• they introduce ingredients that can cause serious neurological disorders.
• the strains included are based on observations in China, and do not necessarily match the strains to which we are exposed in the U.S.
• a study published in the Lancet demonstrated that the vaccine is only 1.2% effective – not the 60% the media is touting. Is it worth the risk?

What are your options for working with your body to boost your immune system? There are a variety of suggestions I would offer, incorporating both food and lifestyle choices.

Avoid sugar and white refined grains as these make your white blood cells 40% less effective, crippling your immune system for 5 hours after consumption.

Adding garlic, onion, ginger, and oregano to your food provides antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Eat vegetables and fruit in the colors of the rainbow in order to consume a variety of nutrients, including antioxidants and antimicrobials.

Drink liquids – pure water, bone broth, and herbal teas (such as Echinacea) to support your mucus layers and nourish your gut, both vital for health.

SLEEP! Don’t wait until you are sick and your body shuts you down. Plan for 7-9 hours of sleep daily to ensure your body has the opportunity to regenerate.

Supplement key nutrients you may be lacking:
Vitamin D3 – most of us are not out in the sun consistently enough to benefit from this natural source, so supplementing 2-5,000 IUs daily is important.
Vitamin C – an important nutrient for healing, 1000mg+ boost daily is beneficial *
Zinc – balances mucus production and supports the immune system, 30-40mg daily *
Probiotics – look for a supplement providing 10-20 billion CFUs in a mixture of bacteria strains

I understand the temptation to reach for what seems like an easy answer, yet our intricate bodies require more building blocks to supply its systems for proper function. I hope that the information that I have provided here equip you to make an informed decision.

You don’t need to dread the approach of flu season. Knowing it is coming, you can begin to shift your food and lifestyle habits to support your immune system. Think you don’t have time to make changes?

Let me ask you this … if you don’t have time to care for your body, how will you have time to be sick?