Healthy Immune Support
with Jo delAmor, CHC of Radiant Balance
Saturday, January 19th, 2008
Eat well
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As always, fresh whole foods are the way to go. A diverse selection of leafy greens, fresh vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds will give you the wide range of vitamins and minerals needed to support healthy Immune function.
Sleep well
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Getting adequate restful sleep is essential to healthy immune function. Make sleep a priority, especially if you’re feeling a little crumby.
Drink lots of water
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Plenty of unsweetened fluids (water, herbal tea, lemon water) will help your body process and expel any unwanted germy visitors.
Limit alcohol and sugar consumption
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Alcohol and sugar are the two most common and biggest culprits in immune suppression. Use both of these substances in moderation for daily maintenance and avoid all together when you feel a bug coming on.
Use supportive nutrients and herbs when you feel compromised…
Important Nutrients:
Vitamin C: found in rosehips, parsley, broccoli, bell pepper, strawberries, oranges, lemon juice, papaya, cauliflower, kale, mustard greens, and Brussels sprouts
Zinc: found in crimini mushrooms, spinach, sea vegetables, basil, thyme, spinach, pumpkin seeds, yeast, beef, and lamb, summer squash, asparagus, venison, chard, collard greens, miso, shrimp, maple syrup, broccoli, peas, yogurt, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and mustard greens.
Vitamin A: found in carrots, sweet potato, spirulina, chlorella, wheat/barley grass, kale, parsley, spinach, turnip greens, and beet greens
Useful Herbs:
Echinacea (general immune support)
Goldenseal (anti bacterial)
Astragalus (caution: do not use for children with fevers)
Olive Leaf (anti viral)
Raw Garlic (anti viral, bacterial, fungal)
Grapefruit Seed Extract (anti viral, bacterial, fungal)
Usnea (anti viral, bacterial, fungal)
Be well and feel strong!!