Tag Archives: immunity

Immune System

Building And Maintaining Our Immunity – Our Bodies’ Greatest Defense System

Healthy Me,

Immunity – Our Greatest Defence System

Our immune system is our army of soldiers of different ranks that help maintain balance and structure within the body when there is invasion of any unfavorable particulates in our body. When our immunity is suppressed or weakened we are more susceptible to infections and cancer! Hyper immunity, which is the opposite of a suppressed or weakened immune system, seems to be more prevalent these days and one of the main symptoms is allergies.  In autoimmune diseases such as thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus erythematous, our immune system makes antibodies to our own body tissues that cause inflammation, pain, or malfunction of those organs and tissues.

Living a healthy lifestyle with a positive attitude will support the body to optimal health such as getting the necessary nutrients, taking time to relax, recreate and not block or weaken our natural energy circulation due to various immune system suppressors.

 

Boosting Your Immune System Naturally

The following suggestions would definitely benefit individuals suffering from chronic fatigue, are susceptible to viral infections, or any individuals with a repeated illness or infection.

  1. The avoidance of chemicals and other factors listed in the immune suppressor list* below may also help minimize immune function weaknesses. Stress and emotions are definitely concerns for weakening the immunity. Care in lifestyle, diet, and supplements are very important.
  1. A rotating diet without the regular use of dairy products, wheat, corn, sugar, yeast or any other foods that one may be allergic or intolerant should be avoided.
  1. Wholesome foods that are free of chemicals and pesticides are best. Care must be taken in the prevention of food being exposed to microorganisms, including parasites, as they have a very negative influence on our immune health. Avoiding chemicals in foods and chemical consumptions, such as alcohol, caffeine, cocaine, marijuana, and nicotine promotes optimal health.
  1. Adequate amounts of certain vitamins are very important for proper protein production. Essential fatty acids are also required for healthy cells and tissue. However, excess protein and saturated fats clog the vascular and lymphatic systems and may also suppress the immune system. Diets that consist of detoxing and fasting may strengthen the immune functions and reduce immune overload and reactions as they may be seen in allergies, infections, or autoimmune problems such as rheumatoid arthritis. In reducing the intake of allergenic substances and cleaning allergenic materials from the body can reduce symptoms and allow the T lymphocytes (a specific type of white blood cell) to restore their balance and reduce hyperactivity.

 

It is very important to prevent vitamin deficiencies and also eating foods that are high various immune boosting nutrients.  Basic multiple supplements for immune enhancement can be useful that provide adequate amounts of antioxidants, however, it would be best to talk to you naturopathic doctor before starting any supplements at all.

 

Immune System Suppressor List*

  • Aging
  • Allergies: Pollens, Dust, Food
  • Infections:   Virus’s, Bacteria, Yeasts and fungi, Parasites
  • Surgery
  • Radiation
  • Chemotherapy
  • Drugs: Cortisone and other steroids, Anti-inflammatories, Adrenalin, Insulin
  • Lack of sleep
  • Airplane travel
  • Stress: Social, Work, Financial, Emotional extremes, Depression, Loneliness
  • Overeating
  • High-fat diet including excess (PUFAs)
  • Sugar
  • Excess iron
  • Malnutrition (especially in infants and elderly)
  • Nutrient deficiencies: vitamins A, C, and E, B vitamins, especially B5, folic acid, B6, and B12, zinc and selenium, essential fatty, protein
  • Chemicals in diet and environment: phenol and formaldehyde, hydrocarbons, air/water pollution
  • Drugs, recreational: marijuana, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines
  • Alcohol

 

Immunologic Problems Related To Specific Nutrient Deficiencies In The Body

Vitamin A       Reduced cellular immunity, slow tissue healing, increased infection rate, lowered IgA levels (which affect defense at the Mucous membranes).

Vitamin C        Decreased phagocyte function, reduced cellular protection, and slow wound healing.

Vitamin E        Decreased antibody production and response; with selenium. Deficiency: lowered cell-membrane integrity.

Vitamin B5      Lowered humoral immunity, increased irritation of stress.

Vitamin B6      Lessened cellular immunity, slow energy metabolism.

Vitamin B12    Decreased lymphocyte proliferation and PMN bactericidal activity.

Folic Acid       Reduced blood cell production, perhaps increased cervical cancer.

Zinc                 Decreased T and B cell function and thymic hormones. Increased infection rates, and slow healing.

Iron                 Decreased cellular immunity and neutrophil activity. (Excess iron can also impair bactericidal activity.)

Selenium       With vitamin E deficiency, antibody response is lowered, increased cellular carcinogenesis.

Copper            Lowered resistance to infection.

 

* Adequate levels of these nutrients will support or enhance these immunological functions.

Before starting any supplements or vitamins, please talk to your naturopathic doctor. The information on this article is not intended to treat or cure any health issues.

Natural Ways For Building And Maintaining Immunity

Healthy Me,

1. Physical Activity: Exercise stimulates circulation and circulation of blood stimulates white blood cell movement to parts of the body that require healing, along with oxygen even though the body has an innate ability to heal. Mild to moderate exercise is recommended 3 – 4 times a week such as walking, brisk walking, jogging, swimming and running.  Lack of physical activity, excess sexual activity and overwork impair immunity.

2. Diet: Eat a diet that is rich in whole foods, choosing a variety from a grain and organic vegetable based diet.  Eat foods that have little to no processing. Moderate under eating and simpler food combinations strengthen immunity.  Do not eat late at night.  Avoid intoxicants, refined or chemically contaminated foods, rancid nuts and seeds and limit oils and fats. Try to avoid processed, colored, artificially preserved food as much as possible. If Candida overgrowth symptoms are present, further dietary discipline is necessary and the oxygenating and yeast inhibiting foods, supplements, and practices should also be considered. Talk to your naturopathic doctor to see what the best course of treatment would be for your health and symptoms using naturopathic medicine / natural medicine.

3. Environment: Maintain an orderly, pleasant, clean living and working environment.  Of essential importance for those with very weak immunity is association with completely supportive people with lots of positive energy.  Sunlight, clean, fresh air and pure water strengthen immunity.  If these are not available naturally, the water filters, full spectrum lights and air filters / ionizers are helpful.  Avoid overexposure to dampness and protect your health against other climactic extremes.

4. Supplements: Organic and whole food vitamins and mineral supplements seem to work best for individuals with poor immunity.  Whole food supplements such as wheat or barley grass concentrates, sea vegetables, Chlorella and spirulina may be more beneficial for long-term use. Sprouts are a superb source of nutrients and can adequately supplement most grain and vegetable diets; however, they should be lightly cooked and used sparingly by individuals who are cold weak and frail. Talk to your naturopath to understand what the best diet may be for you.

5. Attitudinal Healing: This is the basic foundation for helping and improving immunity; gratitude and forgiveness are preliminary steps.  Spiritual practices such as prayer, meditation, and visualization normally support the experience of continual renewal; such practices however can also weaken immunity if they are used to reinforce rigid thinking and habits.

Adapted from Healing with Whole foods

By: Sushma Shah, Toronto Naturopath, at the Nature’s Intentions Naturopathic Clinic.

Boosting Your Kid’s And Your Immune System Using Natural Remedies

Healthy Me, , ,

As the weather gets colder and the holidays draw near, most parents complain how their kids are always coming home with sniffles all the time, and how they seem to catch everything at the drop of a dime. Colds, coughs and influenza. Most parents complain that they themselves seem to catch all the everything their kids bring home too. It would be difficult or nearly impossible to clear out all the microbes we come in contact with, it would be beneficial to improve the immune function se we are better prepared to fight off and ward off harmful microbes that can cause common illness such as colds and coughs. Here are some suggestions to boost your immune function naturally.

1. Practice hand washing. Very important and self explanatory. Through out the day we keep on touching all sorts of things that are laden with different microbes that can cause various illness, hence the simplest and easiest way is to wash your hands properly and often. If you are out and about, keep a hand sanitizer with you at all times.

2 Getting enough sleep.  Our lifestyles these days are so hectic from work, kids and lifestyles that we barely have enough time to look after ourselves, leave alone sleep, which is what gets compromised the most. Most people barely get 6 hours of sleep! Why is sleeping at least 7 or more hours important for your immune system to work properly? Your body needs rest to rejuvenate / replenish and sleep is what does that for us. If we do not get enough sleep on a consistent basis, various hormones in our body get affected, one is particular – is the cortisol hormone – which helps the body adapt to stress. Stress is anything that puts the body out of its normal state of being and a consistent lack of sleep, does suppress our immune function, which leaves us more prone to getting sick often.

3. Eating fruits and vegetables laden with Vitamin C  – Vitamin C helps to boost the immune function and is important for adrenal glands to function properly. Adrenal glands help the body deal with stress. Dark coloured fruits and vegetables are high in Vitamin C, so having a diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables helps to obtain this Vitamin naturally and in the right form and helps to fight off bugs and keep our body functioning properly.

4. Drinking lots of water –  Fluids help to eliminate all the toxins as well as thin out of mucus, especially when you have congestion. Various teas such as ginger, rose hips, camomile and mint are not only good in taste but also have healing properties and are good for your immune function as well.

5. Exercise – Moderate amounts of exercise are good, not only for the heart and relieving stress but also to improve circulation of blood and your white blood cells are fight off microbes in the body. Its important as well to try to reduce our stress levels, as usually stress will suppress your immune function and leave you more prone to getting sick often. If you have been trying all sorts of natural remedies but still seem to get sick often, your adrenal glands may not be functioning optimally. Talk to your naturopath about testing your adrenal glands.

By: Sushma Shah, Toronto Naturopathic Doctor, at the Nature’s Intentions Naturopathic Clinic.

Boost Your Immunity With The Right Vitamin C Supplement

Healthy Me,

As fall rolls around and the weather gets colder, people generally stock up on all kinds of Vitamin C supplements from chewable to powders to pills hoping to stave off nasty colds and coughs lurking everywhere in the environment around us. Walking into a health food store to pick up some vitamins can be rather frustrating these days as you go through aisles filled with various supplements from so many different companies, each trying to compete against one another claiming to be the better than the last one. This seems to be a common theme with simple Vitamin C supplements – that are now available in 50 or more different forms, so what is the best one to purchase without breaking the bank with so many choices?

Here are a few simple things to remember when purchasing any type of Vitamin C.

Vitamin C, when found in fruits and vegetables, is bound to bioflavonoids. This type of Vitamin C is complete and has great benefits on the body such as improving immune function, improving the integrity of capillaries and structural tissues in the body such as skin and is great at sequestering free radicals form the body as an antioxidant. Whole food Vitamin C supplements work the best on the body. Vitamin C that is usually purchased from health food stores come in various forms such as plain ascorbic acid – separated from the bioflavonoids, which can sometimes be too acidic for the body, and so now we also have it esterified with Calcium – usually called Ester C.  This is a buffered form of C and less acidic for the body. The best form of Vitamin C is the one that contains bioflavonoids such as hesperidin and quercitin, making it a complete Vitamin C; the way nature intended it to be. Quite often, rosehips are added which are great source of Vitamin C, and are great for boosting the immune system and have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties as well.

The more isolated forms of pharmaceutical ascorbic acid are okay but in order to get the complete effect of Vitamin C, the whole food supplements fare better.

Pills versus powders?  Powders or liquids are easier to digest and  better absorbed into the blood streams, followed by capsules and caplets.

By Sushma Shah, Naturopathic Doctor, at the Nature’s Intentions Naturopathic Clinic.