In This Issue

Decreasing Chances of “Catching” Vruses and Infection
Immune Boosting Foods

Decreasing Chances of “Catching” Viruses and Infection

“The Immune System is the body’s doctor, our own personal physician that cures and protects us from panoply of diseases.” – Robert S. Desowitz
MD / Microbiologist

If you are looking to be relieved of whatever foreign agents (bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, even cancer cells) that takes foothold within your body causing you distress, it is suggested that you understand and take better care of your immune system – your first line of defense.

What is and what does the immune system do?

The immune system is the body’s unique defense mechanism against foreign organisms (any living thing, plant, or animal). Therefore, immunity is the body’s ability to resist foreign invaders and poisons that can damage us internally – and externally for that matter.

Our blood cells and lymph (watery fluid containing disease fighting white blood cells) are vital components of our health. The thymus gland and spleen are two organs that play a large role in our immunity as they contain lymph tissue. Also, your liver and digestive system has the power to dispose of unnecessary toxins within the body by way of urine, feces and sweat.

So, how can you decrease your chances of “catching” a virus or infection?

• Proper Diet and Supplementation
• Sufficient Sleep
• Regular Exercise
• Managing Stress
• Steering Clear of Toxic Substances
• Connecting with Your Spirituality

Proper Diet and Supplementation. We all know that proper diet is extremely important, though many of us are unable to follow through because of lack of commitment. Remember, the right foods can do much more than keep you well – it can help heal what is afflicting you!

Supplementation through the micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fiber and herbs) can undoubtedly enhance your healing potential – under careful supervision of your qualified Naturopathic doctor of course.

Sufficient Sleep. According to the book Strengthen your Immune System by Reader’s Digest Canada, “to be fully alert, you need to spend a third of your life sleeping.” Yeah right! – you must be thinking. Well it makes sense in the natural law.

Many years ago people used to wake up according to the sunrise and sleep at sunset. We don’t anymore now do we? This would allow us to have approximately 10 hrs of sleep a night! Unfortunately though, our current lifestyles show that this is certainly not possible. But the more rest we can get the better, for as the same source tells us, “An immune system without sleep is like a car without gasoline. Eventually, it will just stop running.”

Regular Exercise. A daily routine of even light exercise can improve the functions of your organs and body systems. In turn your body will be better suited to speed the destruction and elimination of foreign particles.

Managing Stress. Trying to do more work in less time? STOP! It’s inevitable, all of us go through stress in our lives, but it is our responses to these stresses that may be affecting our health. Acknowledging and using positive coping mechanisms help to release tension within and without.

Steer clear of toxic substances in the diet and environmentally. Be sure to read food and cleaning labels and remember, “Hand washing is the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection.” – Centre for Disease Control and Prevention

Connecting With Your Spirituality. Diseases of the immune system affects our spiritual aspect of self-love in accordance to Dr. Christine R. Page in her book Frontiers of Health: from healing to wholeness. Where there is a weakened immune response, strong feelings of “helplessness” often precede the illness. As a lesson for all of us, we must recognize our own potential in this universe and have the willpower to achieve anything we put our hearts and minds to, including our whole health!

Immune Boosting Foods

• All dark green and yellow vegetables especially carrots, pumpkins, spinach, and sweet potatoes.
• Beans
• Bulgur
• Citrus Fruits (grapefruits, oranges, tangerines)
• Fish
• Peppers (Chilli, Sweet)
• Garlic and onions – stimulates the fighting power of white blood cells.
• Blue/blackberries, grapes – antioxidants protecting against free radical damage.
• Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids – needed for health although our bodies cannot manufacture it itself (we must obtain this from food such as nuts and seeds and cold water fish.
• Iron rich foods – to ensure proper oxygenation to function properly and resist disease.
• Vitamin A rich foods (involved in protein synthesis) – because cells are constantly reproduced to kill bacteria, and a deficiency is linked to increased susceptibility to infection, this nutrient is essentially found in orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, cold water fish.