We only realize the importance of our immune system once we get sick…
The immune system is the body’s defense to combatting any bug or illness. When our immune system is compromised, it is difficult for anything else to function optimally: we cannot think as clearly, exercise at the same capacity, digest food as well, or perform other tasks we take for granted.
Looking to stay healthy and boost your immunity?
Here are our tips for optimal immune health:
Start With Your Diet
Did you know that the gut makes up about 75% of the immune system? Gut health plays a crucial role in immunity through the presence of beneficial bacteria, or microflora, which colonize and nest in the mucosal lining of the intestines. When these microflorae are not thriving within the gut, immunity is greatly compromised.
Immune-Boosting Foods
Acai Berries
Acai berries have become a popular immune-boosting food. Not only do they taste good, but the flavonoids found in the berries act as powerful antioxidants that limit oxidative stress, promote healthy immune activity, and reduce inflammation.
Almonds
Almonds contain a high concentration of vitamin E. This fat-soluble vitamin plays an important role in immune regulation. You can get your daily allotment of vitamin E and support a healthy immune function by eating just half a cup of almonds.
Broccoli
Broccoli is packed with nutrients including vitamins A, C, and E, fiber, and various antioxidants. Each of these substances support immune function. The best way to gain all the nutrients contained is broccoli is to eat it raw. If you prefer your broccoli cooked, steaming is an acceptable alternative.
Citrus
Citrus such as grapefruit, oranges, and lemons, all contain large amounts of vitamin C. Vitamin C naturally increases white blood cell count, which supports our ability to fight off infection.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate contains theobromine, an antioxidant that protects cells from free radicals. This improves immune function and reduces the risk of various age-related illnesses and chronic diseases.
Elderberries
Elderberries are packed with immune-boosting substances. Some studies show that the flavonoids and other compounds in elderberry may help combat and ease colds, flu, and bacterial sinus infections.
Garlic
Garlic provides several immune-related benefits. Studies show that garlic acts as an antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal. It also contains a wealth of antioxidants that combat free radicals that contribute to neurodegenerative illness, heart disease, and cancers.
Ginger
Ginger has long been used to deter illness. Studies show that ginger helps regulate inflammation, reduce throat pain, and combats nausea. Additionally, research has found that the immune-regulating qualities of ginger may even ease chronic pain.
Check out our recipe for an Immune-Boosting breakfast bowl
Support Nose & Throat Health
We breathe in millions of particles a day, all of which enter our bodies through the nose or throat. To avoid a potential pathogen compromising your health via your airways, you can utilize a variety of natural, high-quality nose and throat sprays:
Bee Propolis Throat Spray
Researchers have identified more than 300 compounds in propolis. The majority of these compounds are forms of polyphenols, which are antioxidants that can fight pathogens and oxidative stress in the body. Propolis is thought to have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, but the research on propolis is limited. However, it is clear that bee propolis provides some protection from some bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Bee Keeper’s Natural offers a throat spray that contains powerful immune- boosting compounds.
Colloidal Silver Nasal Spray
Colloidal silver has been gaining recognition as a potentially powerful immune booster. A laboratory test was conducted in 2012 by Larry C. Ford, M.D. from the UCLA School of Medicine to test just how well colloidal silver actually works. He discovered that the silver had the ability to kill over 650 bacteria, fungi, parasites, and molds. The silver was able to suffocate the pathogen within six minutes of contacting it. In addition to being an antibacterial, colloidal silver is also an antiviral. It has been shown to reduce the HIV viral load and led to significant improvement in AIDS patients.
Similar to how it reacts to bacteria, colloidal silver suffocates viruses like herpes, pneumonia, and warts. It also combats infections and problems on the skin, not just ones within the body. Because colloidal silver is an anti-fungal, it can help treat ringworm and Athlete’s foot which are both caused by fungi on the skin.
Colloidal silver not only kills, it also heals. A researcher from Syracuse University named Dr. Robert O. Becker was able to observe and tell about the healing powers of silver. His experiments showed him that silver was able to accelerate the healing process of injured tissues and stated that silver “profoundly stimulates healing in skin and other soft tissues in a way unlike any known natural process…”. Silver can be used not only orally, but can also be applied to the skin to help heal burns and scrapes while simultaneously acting as an anti-inflammatory.
Interested in adding colloidal silver to your supplement regimen? Consider Holtraceuticals’ Argentyn 23
Immune-Boosting Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is well known as an immune booster. This is, in part, because vitamin D plays a critical role in the innate immune system (the first line of defense against invading pathogens). In the innate antimicrobial response, macrophages recognize endotoxins through receptors. Vitamin D is a building block in the transcription of these pathogen-identifying receptors and the immune system is dependent on sufficient levels of vitamin D to eliminate the endotoxin.
Studies have shown an inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and the incidence of several infections, including influenza, respiratory infections, HIV, and bacterial vaginosis. One study of almost 19,000 participants between 1988 and 1994 saw that individuals with lower vitamin D levels (<30 ng/ml) were more likely to report a recent upper respiratory tract infection (even after adjusting for variables such as season, age, gender, and body mass).
Sources of Vitamin D
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Beef liver
- Cheese
- Egg yolk
- Mushrooms
- Vitamin D-fortified milk
- HoltraCeuticals’ Vitamin D supplement
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is essential for avoiding and combatting illness as it performs a variety of roles in the immune system. Vitamin C aids in the production of white blood cells (lymphocytes and phagocytes), which are responsible for attacking any virus, bacteria, or infection.
Not only does vitamin C help with the production of these cells, but as an antioxidant it also allows them to work more effectively by helping prevent free radical damage.
Additionally, vitamin C is transported to the skin to help strengthen its barrier, the body’s first line of defense against pathogens.
Sources of Vitamin C
- Spinach
- Bell peppers
- Oranges
- Papaya
- Brussel sprouts
- Kale
- Strawberries
Zinc
New research suggests that zinc interestingly helps promote immune health by controlling certain bodily responses. Zinc helps the body attack an infection more effectively by preventing an aggressive inflammatory response. Inflammation is a necessary and often helpful immune reaction but in excess, it slows other immune processes down.
Zinc is also an important component of wound healing. In fact, people with skin ulcers often have low levels of zinc.
Sources of Zinc
- Oysters
- Crab
- Lean meats
- Chicken
- Beans
- Yogurt
- Chickpeas
IV Therapy for Immunity
One of the best ways to give your body the boost it needs is through intravenous therapy (IVs). This is because when therapies are given intravenously, without the limitations of oral supplements, these therapies are much more effective with major improvements often seen in a short period of time.
In some cases, oral supplementation may be unable to deliver nutrients to the cells for improvement in energy, pain, and immune function needed to attack bacteria, viruses, yeast, or detoxification. High doses of nutrients and therapeutic agents are needed to improve cellular function which oral supplements cannot achieve due to gastrointestinal irritation, limitations of absorption within the gastrointestinal tract, and the metabolic breakdown which occurs when passing through the liver.
Consider our Immune Push IV, key ingredients include:
Magnesium: Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical actions throughout the body, affecting activity ranging from muscle contraction to neurotransmitter regulation. A magnesium deficiency can lead to fatigue, headaches, a weakened immune system, and more.
B complex: B vitamins have a positive influence on metabolic processes that support energy regulation as well as help strengthen the immune system (vitamin B6 specifically is responsible for producing white blood cells and T cells).
Vitamin C: As an antioxidant and essential cofactor, vitamin C helps support both the innate and adaptive immune response.
The Immune Push IV also includes trace minerals, which can help boost your immune system.
Available at El Segundo location only
