70% to 80% of the immune system is effected by the gastrointestinal system. The bad food choices we make and toxins which enter the body can weaken the immune system.
Weakening the Immune System
Immune responses can be depressed by various external influences including emotional stress, physical stressors such as inadequate sleep or athletic overtraining, environmental and occupational chemical exposure, UV and other types of radiation, common viral or bacterial infections, certain drug therapies, blood transfusions and surgery. Dietary habits also have an impact on immune response. Excessive fat, alcohol or refined sugar consumption or inadequate protein, calorie, vitamin, mineral or water intake fosters decreased immune performance as well. In addition, the biological state of aging counteracts immune function, particularly after age of 40.
Overdosing on sugar – Eating or drinking 100 grams (8 tbsp.) of sugar, the equivalent of about two cans of soda, can reduce the ability of white blood cells to kill germs by forty percent. The immune-suppressing effect of sugar starts less than thirty minutes after ingestion and may last for five hours. In contrast, the ingestion of complex carbohydrates, or starches, has no effect on the immune system.
Food allergens – Due to a genetic quirk, some divisions of the immune army recognize an otherwise harmless substance (such as milk) as a foreign invader and attack it, causing an allergic reaction. Before the battle, the intestinal lining was like a wall impenetrable to foreign invaders. After many encounters with food allergens, the wall is damaged, enabling invaders and other potentially toxic substances in the food to get into the bloodstream and make the body feel miserable.
Nutrient deficiency is a well-known cause of immune system malfunction. It has recently been demonstrated in an animal species that nutrient deficiency in one generation can affect immune function in succeeding generations, even if they’re not nutrient deficient. In that experiment pregnant mice were given a zinc-deficient diet. Their offspring had defective immune function, even though they and their mothers were fed a zinc-adequate diet as soon as they were born. Dietary supplementation beyond the levels considered adequate might allow for more rapid or complete restoration of a healthy immune system.
Immune Building Foods
Fresh Whole Vegetables are full of phytonutrients that your body uses to keep your immune system strong. These phytonutrients stimulate the release of enzymes within our bodies to protect cells and rebuild damaged cells. The best veggies for an immune building diet include:
- carrots
- sweet potatoes
- asparagus
- kale
- red and green peppers
- broccoli
- dark leafy greens
- spinach
- romaine lettuce
Fresh Whole Fruits are also full of phytonutrients. They are immune building and natural detoxifiers of the body. Fruits are full of antioxidants and enzymes that protect our cells from damage. Many of the berries and red applesare high in flavanoids that protect us from heart disease. Fruits that will help strengthen your immune system include;
- pink and red grapefruit
- blueberries
- strawberries
- blackberries
- red apples
- red grapes
- bananas
- cranberries
- mangoes
- tangerines
- nectarines
- peaches
- oranges
- watermelon
Omega 3’s are healthy fats that have an immune building quality. They are anti-inflammatory and help prevent auto-immune disorders. They are needed in order for the body to absorb certain vitamins. Sources of Omega 3’s include:
- Wild Salmon (Alaskan is great)
- Flax seed
- Walnuts
- Olives
- Omega 3 Eggs
- Green Leafy Veggies
Good Bacteria found in the intestinal lining keep your immune system healthy. These healthy organisms stimulate the immune system, increase antibodies, and inhibit the absorption of pathogenic organisms such as e.coli and salmonella. Be sure that you and your children consume healthy, live bacteria especially at times of illness. Foods containing good bacteria are:
- yogurt (be sure to check the label for live bacteria)
- fermented foods such as kefir
- homemade sauerkraut
Folate is essential for preventing damage to blood vessels and brain cells and ensures DNA integrity. The dark leafy greens are high in folate and include the following; mustard, collard and turnip greens
- spinach
- kale
- romaine lettuce
Immune Building Supplements
Smart Silver – Smart Silver is a safe non-toxic anti-microbial agent, killing a wide range of bacteria, viruses and yeasts, a potent anti-fungal, and a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It can be taken topically or internally. Germs do not become resistant to Silver Solution like they do with medical drugs. An antibiotic kills perhaps a half-dozen disease organisms, but Smart Silver kills some 650 including e-coli, staphylococcus, streptococcus and salmonella.
Vitamin C increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies and increases levels of interferon, the antibody that coats cell surfaces, preventing the entry of viruses. Vitamin C reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by raising levels of HDL (good) cholesterol while lowering blood pressure and interfering with the process by which fat is converted to plaque in the arteries. As an added perk, persons whose diets are higher in vitamin C have lower rates of colon, prostate, and breast cancer.
Vitamin D plays a role in regulation of both the “infectious” immune system and the “inflammatory” immune system. Low vitamin D is associated with several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and even cancers.
Vitamin E stimulates the production of natural killer cells, those that seek out and destroy germs and cancer cells. Vitamin E enhances the production of B-cells, the immune cells that produce antibodies that destroy bacteria. Vitamin E supplementation may also reverse some of the decline in immune response commonly seen in aging. Vitamin E has been implicated in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Selenium – This mineral increases natural killer cells and mobilizes cancer-fighting cells. It is essential for many body processes and is present in nearly every cell but especially in the kidneys, liver, spleen, testes, and pancreas. Best food sources of selenium are tuna, red snapper, lobster, shrimp, whole grains, vegetables (depending on the selenium content of the soil they’re grown in), brown rice, egg yolks, cottage cheese, chicken (white meat), sunflower seeds, garlic, Brazil nuts, and lamb chops.
Garlic stimulates immune cell activity and production. It also has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Add plenty to the foods you cook, add a clove to your fresh-made veggie juice or find whole source capsules.
Echinacea – this natural herb will enhance your own immune system. Many research studies have proven its effectiveness. It is an immunostimulant, a substance that boosts the body’s immune system. Unlike traditional antibiotics that kill bacteria directly, echinacea works indirectly, killing the germ by strengthening your immune system.
Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) are an essential addition to immune building supplements. They help stimulate and protect the immune system. They are anti-inflammatory and help prevent auto-immune disorders. They are important in the growth and maintenance of healthy cells. Get extra EFA’s into your diet by adding olive oil or coconut oil to prepare your foods. You can find the supplements in liquid form, gel caps or chewable forms for children.
Probiotics are an important for part of your immune building program. These are the good bacteria found in the small and large intestine. These healthy organisms stimulate the immune system, increase antibodies, and inhibit the absorption of pathogenic organisms such as e.coli and salmonella. Probiotics are extremely beneficial and add to your bodies’ natural production while maintaining or beginning a health program.
Monolaurin – Lauric acid was first discovered as the main antiviral and antibacterial substance in human breast milk. It is a medium chain, saturated fatty acid that is found in coconut products. Monolaurin has been shown to be active against influenza virus, pneumovirus, herpes simplex I & II, CMV, EBV, and HIV, and molluscum contagiosum. Monolaurin destroys lipid-coated viruses by binding to the lipid-protein envelope of the virus, thereby preventing it from attaching and entering host cells, making infection and replication impossible. Other studies show that Monolaurin disintegrates the viral envelope, killing the virus. Monolaurin is effective against yeast and fungi, staphylococcus and streptococcus, chlamydia, candida albicans, ringworm, H. pylori and gonorrhea.
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