Hopefully, I can help you stay on track this year by naturally building your immune system so strong that you won’t become sick, or perhaps diminish some conditions you might already have! Here are 3 easy tips on building your immune system without medication. I’ll provide details on three common, yet powerful supplements to your daily regime for cold and flu prevention-ZINC, ECHINACEA,and PROBIOTICS.
Zinc, generally in the form of sublingual lozenges, according to the American College of Physicians and other sources, has been proven to be effective in reducing the severity and duration of the common cold and flu. Zinc builds the immune system by causing an expansion of immune cells. A deficiency causes abnormal development of immune organs. Of course there are countless mechanisms within these two statements, and the importance of zinc in these mechanisms is not to be taken lightly. Zinc has been found to help with prostate, nail health, and the reduction of Alzheimer’s symptoms, to name a few. The RDA for zinc is only 15 mg/day, however, it used to be provided in our diet years ago by way of richer soil, and galvanized (zinc coated) cooking utensils and water pipes! We now recommend about 25 mg/day now, or more, as there are many zinc antagonists in our diet. Good food sources include oysters, milk, (organic -hormone free) meat, unprocessed wheat, grains, and green leafy vegetables, (preferably organic from soil that hasn’t been over-farmed!) One study reports that taking more than 150mg/day can be detrimental to the immune system, so be careful not to overdo it. My next post will cover echinacea, and other natural immune builders you can take on your own.
