No one likes to get sick, but it is inevitable that you are going to be sick with a cold or flu at some point over the next few month. Lately it seems that even common illnesses are becoming more severe or progressing into more complicated conditions. With that being the case, it would be wise to take as many precautions as possible and do as much as you can to boost your immunity before you get sick.
What can you do to bolster your natural defenses? A first step is to improve your intestinal health. Researchers are now finding that a major part of the immune system is in the lower gut. When food is not digested properly and moved through the intestines efficiently, the undigested food begins to rot and bad bacteria builds up. This stresses the immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to other invaders. To boost gut health a food enzyme taken with meals will help digest food more thoroughly and a probiotic supplement will help improve the lower gut bacteria. These work to put less strain on the immune system and keep the digestive system functioning properly.
Once the digestive tract health improves, nutrients can be absorbed more efficiently, so the next step would be to add some known immune boosting supplements. Some of the more popular and scientifically substantiated ingredients include Echinacea, elderberry, zinc, C and vitamin D3. Another patented, immune boosting supplement is Silver Shield ionic silver.
Echinacea has been shown to stimulate the immune system by increasing the activity of certain immune cells and by promoting the release of helpful molecules from these immune cells.
Elderberry contains chemicals that appear to have immune system regulatory effects. These compounds in elderberry extract have been found to bind to viruses and block their ability to invade host cells. In this way, elderberry is thought to reduce the severity of viral flu symptoms.
Vitamins such as zinc and vitamin C have been shown to improve the effectiveness of the immune system by increasing the protective activity of certain immune cells. Macrophages, neutrophils, NK (natural killer) cells and T-cells (T-lymphocytes) are responsible for attacking and neutralizing foreign, disease-causing microbes. Without the proper functioning of these immune cells, infectious diseases such as colds and the flu usually occur more frequently, are more severe, and have a longer duration.
Another promising supplement for natural immune support is vitamin D3. Scientists discovered that T cells—white blood cells that are like soldiers who search out and destroy the targeted invaders—require vitamin D to function. From this study, researchers realize how crucial vitamin D is for activating the immune system. Most people are vitamin D deficient, and it is a problem that gets worse as people spend more time indoors.
Silver Shield ionic silver is made of powerful, ionically charged silver particles. This can be used externally or internally to disrupt the workings of harmful pathogens, thus boosting immunity and working to destroy illness-causing bacteria, fungus or viruses. It is patented to kill about 100 pathogens.
As with any natural health remedy there are a few keys to effectiveness. First, obtain products from a reputable source. Nature’s Sunshine has an unsurpassed reputation for quality in an industry that is unregulated by government standards. Second, take supplements regularly. These aren’t like prescriptions that you take after you get sick. To build your immunity you have to add a sufficient dosage on a daily basis. Thirdly, if you do start to feel like you are getting sick, increase the dosage. Most natural supplements have a maintenance dose and a curative dose. Not increasing the dose when illness is impending is a common mistake. Finally, common sense approaches, such as frequent hand washing, limiting contact with sick people, disinfecting surfaces with Silver Shield liquid and using Silver Shield gel as a hand sanitizer go a long way toward warding off sickness.
If you have any questions on any of the Nature’s Sunshine products mentioned in this article, feel free to call 570-673-5813 or go the link on the website: www.CantonFitnessCenter.com.