Curiously Awesome

Having a healthy body and a healthy immune system go hand in hand. The immune system is vital to our existence.

The immune system is the basis of defense against germs, bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungus, and parasites. It is a complex system involving many different cell types throughout the body.

The immune system is also in charge of guarding the cells in the body and is the watchdog for abnormal or damaged cells. There are always somewhere between 100 and 10,000 abnormal cells floating around in the body. These numbers include cancerous cells produced by the normal body in the course of a day.

Keeping the immune system functioning is critical. When this system is weak it is unable to fight off invaders. A simple cold or even cancer or an autoimmune diseasecan be the result of an immune system that is not functioning at its best.

Eliminate toxic food and drink from your diet – The standard American diet of today relies more and more on chemicals and preservatives. When the immune system is busy fighting the toxins you have put into your body, it can’t do the job it was created to do.

Get rid of personal care products containing toxic chemicals – Most personal care products sold at traditional stores contain toxic ingredients that threaten your health. When these products are rubbed into the skin they enter the bloodstream. Replace these with products that contain only naturally occurring ingredients that your immune system will recognize as belonging in your body.

Get the toxins out of your home and workplace – The cleaning products in a typical house are filled with toxic chemicals that will occupy the attention of your immune system and keep it from doing its job. Replace these with toxin-free products.

Add fresh, clean air to your environment whenever possible – Even in the dead of winter, open your windows for a period of time and let fresh air into your home or workplace. Go out for a walk or sit in the sun and breathe fresh air. When you do this, you are giving your immune system a chance to focus its full attention where it is needed.

Eat healthy fats – Omega-3 fats have the ability to reduce inflammation and regulate the T and B lymphocyte functions.

Detoxify your body – Heavy metals and toxins in the body are a drag on the immune system. This is one reason why health experts recommend frequent body detoxification.

Strengthen your digestive/elimination system – Those bacteria residing in your gut are there to help with digestion and protect you against invaders. If the bacteria population becomes thinned from the use of antibiotics, chlorinated water or pesticides in food, there will not be enough friendly bacteria on the job to keep you healthy.

Ensure optimal immune system functioning – The immune system needs to respond strongly to pathogens, but not too strongly. If it responds too strongly the result can be systemic inflammation, allergies, or autoimmune disorders.

Keep your body well mineralized – Minerals are essential for maintaining your body’s pH in an optimal range. Deficiencies of minerals such as selenium, magnesium, iron, and zinc among others have been shown to impair the immune system.

Get a good night’s sleep – Sleep is your immune system. A full night’s sleep of 8 hours or more will allow the body to complete the cycle that begins with melatonin production and continues with prolactin production. Sleeping less than a full 8 hours will not allow the cycle to be completed resulting in your first line of immune defense being depleted.