Today I would like to share some great information about how to boost your immune system naturally. There are so many different ways to boost the immune system which are easy to add into our daily life, and can make a big difference in keeping us healthy during stressful times or winter weather.
1 Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a key hormone that dramatically improves immune function. It stimulates the production of antimicrobial proteins that fight off infections. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble hormone, so try buying one that is suspended in olive oil, like Natures Answer Vitamin D3 Drop. Vitamin D can be produced by the body with exposure to sunlight, but this makes supplementation particularly important in the winter months, when it can be hard to get enough sun exposure.
2 Nature’s antimicrobials
Garlic, coconut oil, cinnamon, chili, turmeric, ginger, lemon, green tea, and honey all possess antimicrobial properties and can be added to your diet in many delicious ways.
3 Eat a colorful, whole food plant based diet
Color in food is a good indicator of different antioxidants that are in that food. Red foods like radishes, strawberries, or tomatoes indicate Lycopene. Orange and yellow foods like lemons, sweet potatoes, and carrots get their color from Carotenoids. Green vegetables like peas and kiwi get their color from a range of phytochemicals. Kale, broccoli and cabbage also support the liver to flush out toxins. Green powders like Spirulina stimulate the immune function and are packed with protein and powerful antioxidants.
4 Mushrooms
Mushrooms stimulate the production and activity of white blood cells in the body. They are an amazing source of vitamin D and are excellent antioxidants.
5 Support the gut
Encourage good bacteria growth by eating lots of probiotic-rich food like sauerkraut, kimchi and apple cider vinegar, as well as prebiotics, which are essentially high-fibre foods which help the probiotics. Prebiotics include onions, leeks, asparagus, artichokes and bananas.
6 Reduce sugar
Immune cells have a decreased ability to engulf bacteria when exposed to high levels of sugar. Be careful during this festive period. Avoid overeating plenty of high fructose and sugary treats.
7 Herbs
Olive leaf extract, sage extract, echinacea, and oregano oil work by helping to eliminate bad bacteria. Try cooking with the oils or even using them as aromatherapy.
8 Water
The human body is around 60% of water. Water, therefore, has a huge role in keeping us healthy. Most importantly, water’s critical use is the production of lymph which is the body rubbish disposal. Without the lymph, the immune cells would not be able to travel around the body. A good goal is to drink 8 glasses of water daily at minimum.
9 Kick the caffeine
It’s very easy to get into a negative cycle with caffeine. Cortisol has a negative effect on the immune system. Green tea is a much healthier alternative to coffee. It is naturally antimicrobial and is packed with antioxidants to support your immune system.
10 Sleep, stress, and positivity
Express yourself, set expectations, have a positive menthol outlook, laugh often, and get a good amount of sleep. Stress and sleep deprivation can have a huge impact on your health and hormones. Take some time for yourself, have a big, relaxing bath, read a great book, and include mindfulness and meditation into your day.
(With thanks to GoodZing.com for these great ideas!)
As you can see, many of these ideas and techniques require very little expense and only a little planning. Choosing to boost your immune system can be as simple as making a few small changes in your day-to-day life. I hope you will find this advice helpful! Be healthy and happy.
