Flu: Conquer the Flu with a Healthy Immune System

First, I am not going to tell you to run out and get a vaccine. Please inform yourself about them, as there is much to learn. I will do a follow-up just on Vaccines. Look for the link.

Here are some of the best ways to build up our immune system naturally, and make it smart enough to protect ourselves and those we love from the flu, or any illness floating around.

For years now, our immune systems have been declining-yearly. The only way to change that is by being proactive--not just coasting along with the crowd.

Just what is the purpose of our immune system? It is to fight off infections, bacteria, to seek and destroy cancer in the body, or anything foreign that invades the body. It needs to work appropriately, to protect our body but not attack it. So, a healthy smart immune system with good communication is just what we need. Yes, you read that right, it also needs to have good communication. (that's an entire other subject.)

In other words, your self-defense system needs to be strong enough to keep bacteria and viruses from entering your body, or when they enter, keep them from multiplying, and to reestablish health when disease gets hold of us.

You can picture it as a dispatcher whose job is to communicate with your body's other watchdog systems, especially the hormones from your endocrine system and the brain chemicals from your nervous system.

How do we improve our immune system?

There are several things we need to do.

If there was ever a time when your body needed to be working properly, it is in times like this, so having the raw materials needed for a body to work is very important. That leads us to good nutrition.

Along with a good diet of healthful and varied foods you must make sure you get all your vitamins and minerals. So, be sure to include the best food based multi vitamin.

Any kind of nutritional deficiency may lead to more frequent and prolonged illnesses. If you starve yourself, your body will think it's under siege and pump out stress hormones. The best advice is: Choose fats carefully (omega-3s are important), get enough protein, eat your fruits and vegetables ensuring you get plenty of fiber, vitamins, minerals, monosaccharides and live enzymes and drink plenty of fluids. (Clean pure water.) The experts recommend avoiding zinc supplements that provide more than 25 milligrams daily-but you do need zinc, so don't eliminate it. Click here to Learn The Rest Of the Story on Whole Food Supplementation

Several experts are now telling us to get substantial amounts of Vitamin D3. We all know we should get enough daily sunshine so our body can make it's own, but, now we're going into cooler months, and that is usually not possible. (I wonder why we usually have our episodes of flu, colds, etc in the winter-hummmmm) The dosage of Vitamin D3 has been increased by the experts to at least 5,000 in for adults, and 2,000 for children. Of course you are unique, so check out the numbers to see what is appropriate for you.

Again, drink plenty of clean pure water. "Dehydration lowers resistance," Most people don't drink enough water. Coffee and cokes do not count!; actually you will need to increase your water if you consume them.

Probiotics

If you have taken any antibiotics, be sure to eat keifer or take a full spectrum probiotic.

Probiotics are not medicine. They are a natural supplement to replace the millions of live good bacteria needed in the intestinal tract. Make sure to keep your intestinal tract healthy, as the experts tell us that from 70-80% of your immune system is in the intestinal tract. And we want our immune system working optimally.

Click here to Learn The Rest Of the Story on Whole Food Supplementation

Here's a list of the top antiviral foods and nutrients enhancing immunity
Red Grapes. antibacterial. antioxidant. Antiviral
Berries. antiviral., rich in vitamin c. powerful antioxidant. prevents cell mutations
that can lead to cancer. high in fiber.
Cranberry. antibiotic. antiviral
Strawberry. Antiviral, anti-cancer activity. Often eaten by people less likely to
develop all types of cancer.
Apple. antibacterial. anti-inflammatory. antioxidant. antiviral. rich in soluble and
insoluble fiber. the peel contains quercitin. lowers cholesterol. cancer prevention
properties.
Pineapple. antibacterial. antiviral. anti-inflammatory. aids digestion
Plum. Antibacterial. Anti-viral. Laxative.
Onion antibiotic. Anti-inflammatory. antiviral powerful antioxidant. cancer prevention
properties. good for allergies. asthma. colds. infections. rub on insect bite to relieve
itching
Garlic. a wonder food. antibiotic. antifungal. antioxidant. antiviral. anti-inflammatory.
strengthens immune system. lowers blood cholesterol. lowers blood pressure. lowers
blood sugar levels. blood thinner. good for asthma. for colds and coughs. may prevent
tumors and inhibit the growth of tumors
Soybean. antioxidant. antiviral. estrogen hormone properties. lowers blood
cholesterol
Yogurt. a wonderful wonder food. antibacterial. antioxidant. strengthens immune
system
Mushrooms. strengthens immune system. block tumor growth. eat mushrooms for
the best benefit. cooked. not raw
Honey. antibiotic. wound healing. treatment for intestinal bacteria. sedative. use
sparingly. sugars suppress the immune system
Corn. antioxidant. antiviral
Cauliflower. antioxidants. antiviral. lowers cholesterol. fiber. cancer prevention
properties. especially for estrogen dependent breast cancers
Carrot. antioxidant. antiviral. fiber. high in beta carotene. strengthens immune
system
Cabbage. antibacterial. antioxidant. antiviral. in the cabbage family. and bok choy
are the best sources for cancer prevention properties
Broccoli. antioxidants. antiviral. lowers cholesterol. fiber. cancer prevention
properties. especially for estrogen dependent breast cancers.
Barley. Long known as a "heart medicine" in the Middle East. Reduces cholesterol.
Has anti-viral and anti-cancer activity. Contains potent antioxidants

When you don't get everything you need from whole foods, you need to supplement. Click here to learn the rest of the Story on Whole Food Supplementation

This information is from:
http://www.setcore.com/Media/PDF/Evian%20(bird)%20Flu.pdf

Hand Washing--Often
As I am sure you have already heard or read, hand washing is very important, but it is so important let's mention it again. Be sure to wash your hands after using the bathroom. Also, wash after shaking hands with someone, before and after food preparation, and before you eat. Be sure to teach your little ones well.

Viruses can enter the body when we touch our eyes, nose, and mouth, or through open cuts and wounds, so be very careful not to bring infection to these parts of the body. We're told to suds up and scrub for at least 20 seconds. No we don't need a special antivirus soap, just soap is best. But, you can sing 20 seconds of your favorite song to make sure you scrub long enough. Don't forget all areas of the hands, and between the fingers.

Reduce Stress
Now, am I kidding or what? It isn't like we don't have stress these days, and some of us are under horrible amounts of it, but, do what you can to reduce that stress.
One wonderful way of reducing stress is by exercise, it can be formal exercise such as working out, or it can be informal. Go for a walk with the kids, walk the dog, bike ride, or what ever else you enjoy. Regular activity has so many health benefits, and just plain helps you feel good, and don't forget it can also help reduce stress.

Music
Another way to reduce stress is music. Listen to music that you really enjoy. It doesn't matter what kind it is, but, if you enjoy it, research shows us that our blood pressure comes down, and our immune system is affected positively, and of course it does help reduce our stress.

Have a Positive Outlook
I take weekly Wellness Classes. The last 2 weeks we have been studying the effects of having a positive outlook. Our immune system takes much from our thoughts and feelings. So, try to keep your outlook upbeat.

A while back the Mayo Clinic did research that found that people who were optimists in their youth tended to live 12 years longer than pessimists. Think that might have something to do with the immune system?

Another study by Anna L Marsland PhD, RN who is a psychologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, showed that people who were negative, moody, nervous and easily stressed had a weaker immune response to a hepatitis vaccination than their more positive counterparts. Changing negativity to a more positive outlook is difficult, but, it can be done, and it has many benefits.

Begin by changing your language. Here are a few examples: Never say I"I can't". " Instead say I am beginning to." Instead of saying "Don't slam the door." Say "Please close the door gently." Notice what you say, and begin to change it to more positive language. I understand that this process takes a long time to accomplish-up to a year, but, just think of the benefits- like 12 years of extra life.

Sugar-None is best. But if that is impossible keep it Very Low

It is shocking to learn that as little as 1 teaspoon of sugar can turn off our natural killer cells, the cells that fight cancer and viruses, for up to six hours.

Sugar comes in the form or table sugar and corn syrup which is added to most processed foods, and all high glycemic foods. Sugar consumption can depress immune function by 50%, so keep your table sugar levels to zero and other sugars extremely low. This is not the time to have sugar in our diets. White flour, white potatoes and alcolol all convert quickly to sugar. High sugar in the diet also depletes calcium and B-vitamins needed to keep the immune system and adrenal glands healthy. So stay away from sugar. Sugar can be likened to poison.

All processed foods that come in boxes are high glycemic, full of chemicals and will not give any nutritional value or protection from from the flu or anything else. It is a great way to dump sugar into your blood stream and suppress your immune system, so avoid it if
you would like a healthy immune system.

Types of Sugar:

Ingredients that end in "ose"
Brown sugar
Corn syrup, corn syrup solids
Dextrose
Fructose
Glucose
Grape juice
High-fructose corn syrup
Honey
Malt syrup
Maltodextrin
Mannitol
Maple syrup
Molasses
Raw sugar
Sorbitol
Sorghum
Sucrose

Toxins

We need to avoid more than just sugar and highly processed, high glyclemic foods. We also need to avoid toxins

We live in a sea of toxicity. We would actually have to leave the earth to get away from them, and I don't see anyone leaving . So, do your best to limit toxins, with cleaning supplies, foods, water and even using an effective air purifies.