Howdy fellow Steemers!
My apologies for falling silent for several weeks, it's been a busy fall. I've had lots of auditions, a day of work on a TV show as an actress, and have been hard at work ghostwriting a YA novel. Also, unfortunately... my little boy and I have already encountered the beast that is cold/flu season. Ugh.
So today, I'm going to share some ways to bolster a faltering immune system naturally. (Believe me, this information is for me and by little boy, as much as it is for all of you.) Please feel free to share your favorite ways to fortify yourself in the comments!
1. Avoid White Cane Sugar Like the Plague
According to studies done in the 1970's, white sugar depresses white blood cell activity by 40%, for up to at least 5 hours following consumption. White blood cells need Vitamin C to function properly, yet Vitamin C and sugar are similar in chemical structure, so your white blood cells get tricked into thinking sugar is Vitamin C. The more sugar your white blood cells absorb, the less your white blood cells can absorb Vitamin C, and white blood cells end up losing potency and functionality.
2. Get Extra Sleep
Sleep is when your body repairs itself. If you feel like you are fighting something, or know you are, try to get at least 2-3 extra hours of sleep a night for several nights in a row. If you struggle with sleep, try homeopathics, herbs, sleepy time tea, or if you are in a state where it's legal, indica cannabis to help your body get extra sleep. You will get better faster, or hopefully, won't get sick at all! Then, as a way of giving your body extra repair time, once a month, attempt to get 2-3 extra hours of sleep a night, for several days in a row. This extra sleep time of reset and repair will help your entire body function better, as well as assist in bolstering your immune system.
3. Minimize Stress
The higher your cortisol level (the hormone your body produces when you're stressed), the lower your immunity, so do everything you can to minimize stress and find ways to release tension. In my blog about Fight or Flight response, boxing or running (in short stints) will signal to your body to drop stress levels. Meditation, massage therapy, yoga, hot baths, walks in nature, avoiding unnecessary conflicts, and even journaling can help lower stress levels.
4. Take Vitamin D3
Vitamin D is not actually a vitamin... it's a steroid hormone that influences virtually every cell in your body. It also affects up to 3,000 of your genes. Vitamin D enables your body to produce well over 200 anti-microbial peptides which helps the body fight off a wide range of possible infections. It's also a powerful cancer fighter. Your dosage needs depend on where you live, and what time of year it is.
Our bodies make Vitamin D from sunlight. If you live closer to the equator and get plenty of sun daily, you may not need to take much. If you live in the Pacific Northwest like I do, where it starts raining in October and stops in June, you may need more. If you have an autoimmune disease, your health practitioner may want you on a relatively high dose. I suggest seeing your doctor and getting your Vitamin D level checked. Generally, in the winter months, a dosage of 2,000-4,000 iu for the average person, is an appropriate dose.
5. Take Buffered or Liposomal Vitamin C
I can't rave enough about the stuff. If I'm feeling achy and feverish, as long as I take ENOUGH buffered Vitamin C, my body will begin to feel normal-ish within about an hour. I may need to dose regularly in order to continue feeling better, but it beats feeling horrible! Have a fever? Break it with 8,000 mgs Vitamin C, then continue dosing every 4-6 hours with lower and lower doses. Generally I find that if I'm feeling viral but don't have a fever, 3-4,000 mgs every 4-6 hours will keep me functional.
6. Take Colloidal Silver
Adored by some (me) and mistrusted by many, Silver has anti-microbial qualities and can be a valuable tool in fighting off infection. Colloidal silver has saved my hide more than a few times. The smaller the parts per million of Silver, the better, I take Sovereign Silver's 10 ppm silver 7x a day in immune emergencies, and 3x a day when I'm healthy. The silver particles are so small in 10ppm, that it would take me 70 years of taking 7 doses a day to reach the limit recommended by the FDA.
7. Take L-Lysine
The amino acid L-Lysine plays an important role in the immune system. It assists with the development of antibodies, and is known to have key anti-viral properties. It is particularly beneficial in fighting herpes viruses - of which there are about 300. Herpes viruses live in our bodies and wait for opportunistic moments like high stress or an already compromised immune system, to replicate themselves. That's why people get cold sores when they get colds. Or shingles when they're overstressed.
A few extra added benefits of taking L-Lysine: It can help decrease anxiety, and assist in muscle, collagen tissue formation. Take 1,000 mgs of L-Lysine on an empty stomach, several times a day.
8. Take Olive Leaf
This amazing leaf has the ability to interfere with critical amino acid production essential for viruses. It also has an ability to control viral infection and/or spread, by inactivating viruses or by preventing virus shedding, budding or assembly at the cell membrane. Olive leaf extract can directly penetrate infected cells and stop viral replication. It can also stimulate a process called phagocytosis, an immune system response in which cells act like little Pac-Man, ingesting harmful microorganisms and foreign matter.
Look for Olive Leaf supplements labeled "freshly picked leaves" for the greatest potency.
*All images posted are from Pixabay.
Stay Healthy Steemers!
With Love From Portland,
Jennifer Skyler