{"id":1623,"date":"2017-11-09T16:46:39","date_gmt":"2017-11-09T16:46:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/uni-vite.iconsdg.com\/?p=1623"},"modified":"2018-09-03T23:23:13","modified_gmt":"2018-09-03T23:23:13","slug":"boost-your-immune-system-naturally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uni-vite.com\/supplements\/boost-your-immune-system-naturally\/","title":{"rendered":"Boost your Immune System Naturally"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Strengthening your immune system has become a real priority for everyone in the family \u00e2\u20ac\u201c especially now we are running out of effective antibiotics. The threat is very real as the medical literature shows.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Drug-resistant superbugs represent one of the gravest threats in the history of medicine\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.\u00c2\u00a0The Lancet<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The effectiveness of lifesaving antibiotics is at risk. Many medical advances that physicians and patients take for granted\u00e2\u20ac\u201dincluding cancer treatment, surgery, transplantation, and neonatal care\u00e2\u20ac\u201dare endangered by increasing antibiotic resistance.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/span>
Journal of the American Medical Association<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

We are running out of effective antibiotics because bacteria have a very short life cycle compared to ours, so they continually and rapidly evolve to resist and overcome the antibiotics we fight them with. Within a surprisingly short period of time, resistant strains emerge. Hence the rise of the hospital \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsuper-bugs\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.<\/p>\n

So how can you strengthen your immune system? Are there foods and natural supplements which can enhance the immune system?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s an important question because a weakened immune system leaves your body vulnerable to disease. Indeed the weakening of immune systems is implicated in the significantly increased incidence of cancer that has occurred in the last half-century.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The key is a wide range<\/h1>\n

The\u00c2\u00a0Mediterranean Diet<\/em>, which contains high levels of flavonoids (nutrients in fruits and vegetables), anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients,<\/span>\u00c2\u00a0not only reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke and cancer, but also supports good immune function.<\/span><\/h4>\n

This way of eating is high in fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, beans and other legumes, olive oil, nuts and seeds, garlic, oily fish and a moderate intake of red wine.<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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There are some specific foods that are high in the nutrients important for a healthy immune system. They include:<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Nuts, seeds and whole grains<\/strong>:\u00c2\u00a0Pine nuts<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0and\u00c2\u00a0pumpkin seeds<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0are a good source of zinc, which is an important immune-boosting mineral, and promotes the function of the thymus gland, which is a controller of the immune system.<\/p>\n

Zinc<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0also increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells, and has anti-viral properties.\u00c2\u00a0Oats<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0contain a type of fibre with anti-microbial and anti-oxidant capabilities.<\/p>\n

Herbs and spices<\/strong>: Herbs and spices contain immune-supporting nutrients \u00e2\u20ac\u201c so add\u00c2\u00a0turmeric\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>to rice and grate\u00c2\u00a0ginger<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0into stir fries.<\/p>\n

Citrus and other fruits<\/strong>: Oranges and lemons contain\u00c2\u00a0limonoids<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0\u00e2\u20ac\u201c a type of polyphenol with antiviral properties. Polyphenols are some of the most important compounds in fruits and vegetables that give you protection from almost all the illnesses that threaten as we get older.\u00c2\u00a0Kiwi fruits<\/strong>and\u00c2\u00a0peppers<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0are high in vitamin C and\u00c2\u00a0mangoes<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0contain beta carotene as well as vitamin C \u00e2\u20ac\u201c as do\u00c2\u00a0sweet potatoes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Pomegranate<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0juice,\u00c2\u00a0blueberries<\/strong>,\u00c2\u00a0blackberries<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0and\u00c2\u00a0raspberries<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0are also high in anti-oxidants which help mop up excess free radicals that can damage tissue.<\/p>\n

Green tea<\/strong>: People who drank 5 cups a day of tea for 2 weeks had 10 times more virus-fighting interferon in their blood than others who drank a placebo hot drink, according to a Harvard University study.<\/p>\n

Fish<\/strong>: Selenium, plentiful in shellfish such as oysters, lobsters, crabs, and clams, helps white blood cells produce cytokines \u00e2\u20ac\u201d proteins that help eliminate flu viruses. Salmon, mackerel, and herring are rich in omega-3 fats, which reduce inflammation and help protect lungs from colds and respiratory infections.<\/p>\n

Mushrooms:<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0Shiitake, maitake, and reishi mushrooms appear to offer the biggest immunity effect of the mushroom family. Add a handful to pasta sauce, or saut\u00c3\u00a9 with a little olive oil.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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But it is difficult \u00e2\u20ac\u201c given our sedentary lifestyle \u00e2\u20ac\u201c to eat a wide enough range of food daily without putting weight. So I also recommend that anyone over the age of 45-50 take a\u00c2\u00a0comprehensive daily nutritional supplement.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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It should include optimum levels of the A-Z vitamins and minerals \u00e2\u20ac\u201das opposed to merely levels that prevent outright deficiencies, like scurvy or rickets. \u00c2\u00a0Of particular importance for strengthening the immune system is vitamin D3 (800 IU a day), selenium (150 mcg a day) and zinc (10mg a day).<\/p>\n

Vitamin A deficiency is associated with impaired immunity and increased risk of infectious disease, but it is better to supplement with beta carotene, which gets converted to vitamin A as needed, because it is important not to exceed the RDA for vitamin A.<\/p>\n

But a narrow focus on vitamins D, E, selenium and zinc \u00e2\u20ac\u201c or even vitamin C \u00e2\u20ac\u201c is not enough. An effective immune-enhancing health supplement must also include polyphenols, flavonoids and carotenoids (derived from fruits and vegetables). Ensure it also includes Omega 3 fatty acids from fish.<\/p>\n

I indicated that a comprehensive supplement is advisable for the over 50s. My opinion is that it is virtually essential in the elderly who tend to eat less and often have less variety in their diets. They commonly face what researchers call \u00e2\u20ac\u0153micronutrient malnutrition\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u201c depletion in essential vitamins and trace minerals \u00e2\u20ac\u201c leading to less effective immune systems, a higher risk of infection, and slower healing. And if they enter hospital they are particularly vulnerable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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1-3, 1-6 beta glucans<\/span><\/h1>\n

Previous generations had a less sanitised environment. In particular, their immune systems learned to recognise molecules called 1-3, 1-6 beta glucans, which are present in the cell walls of fungus, moulds and yeasts. Those immune systems then responded by mounting a strong counter-attack.<\/p>\n

Today, changes in food growing and processing technologies have effectively removed these beta glucans from our environment due to routine spraying of crops with fungicides. Anti-bacterial sprays have removed them from many homes, too.<\/p>\n

Of course, I am not advocating creating a dirty environment \u00e2\u20ac\u201c but extensive research by a company called Biothera has shown that a small, deliberate and controlled challenge from a naturally derived beta glucans supplement can strengthen immune function.<\/p>\n

This natural supplement is proven to increase the number and effectiveness of neutrophils \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the main immediate defensive element in the immune system. Indeed when the Canadian Department of Defence tested some 100 immuno-enhancers this 1-3, 1-6 beta glucans came out as the number 1 effective immune booster.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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All these nutrients \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and more
are in the health supplement I helped design called
NutriShield \u00e2\u20ac\u201c\u00c2\u00a0nutrishield.com<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Biothera\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s beta glucans ingredient Wellmune WGP
is patented and available in the UK in
ImmunoShield \u00e2\u20ac\u201c\u00c2\u00a0immunoshield.com<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll find a 60 second video there that
explains how it works.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

ImmunoShield can be taken by anyone as a daily supplement in periods of extra stress or threat, especially people who are at immediate risk of infectious diseases, taking immuno-suppressant medication or experiencing slow and incomplete healing.<\/p>\n

It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s also relevant for long distance air travellers or people who are regularly traveling on crowded transport in the winter months, who are in close proximity at work \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and at the first sign of a cold or sore throat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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SLEEP<\/strong>
Getting enough sleep is essential for health generally. Lack of sleep is perceived by the body as a form of stress \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and stress reduces the immune response.<\/p>\n

EXERCISE<\/strong>
Exercise is an effective immune booster and important for health generally. Being unfit is as dangerous as smoking 20 cigarettes a day! A programme of regular, moderate exercise relieves stress and makes it easier for you to sleep at night.<\/p>\n

REDUCE STRESS<\/strong>
In chronic or long term stress, our adrenal glands secrete a hormone known as cortisol. When cortisol output is high, the immune system is suppressed. Reducing stress is easy enough to advise \u00e2\u20ac\u201c less easy to do. But walking, yoga, meditation techniques, making love \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and a warm bath \u00e2\u20ac\u201c are understandable favourites.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Can Herbals help?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A study on Echinacea at the University of Washington in Seattle on 400 children with colds found no difference in clear-up rates, duration or severity of cold symptoms between Echinacea and a placebo. Moreover most experts do not recommend taking Echinacea on a long term basis. Nor do they recommend Astragalus.<\/p>\n

Laboratory research shows garlic may have some infection fighting properties, but human trials are inconclusive.<\/p>\n

It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s increasingly important to ensure that your immune system is strengthened effectively \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and the above are several natural ways to achieve this.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n