subject: Immune System Boosters [print this page] Immune System Boosters Immune System Boosters
The key to maintaining your health is keeping your body healthy and more importantly conserving your immune system. Your immune system is made up of white blood cells that need to be maintained in order to remain effective during an infection or viral attack. While many people believe that the key to this is through heavily medicating yourself with synthetic drugs, there are a number of proactive measures you can take, which are just as effective and will cost you nothing.
Rest
Getting adequate amounts of rest is key to preserving your immune system. You should be sleeping between 7 to 9-hours each night. Some people can function with less sleep, however most need at the very minimum 7-hours. Sleep refreshes the mind and allows the body to battle any foreign pathogens that may have entered the body. Failing to sleep causes fatigue and stress, which diminish your white blood cell count and compromise your system.
Nutrition
Your body needs to be reinforced with a healthy diet to give it the resources it needs to fuel the immune response. Stay away from processed foods, fast food or foods high in sodium. All of these food sources have an insufficient nutritional content, which leaves your body scrounging for more. Some excellent choices are whole grain breads, fruits, berries or meals cooked from scratch.
Vitamins/Supplements
There are a few natural vitamins and supplements that you can utilize to help boost your immune system. Natural remedies such as Echinacea help to boost your immune system and increase the white blood cell count in your body. All consider taking a high quality multi-vitamin, which will at least provide you with the bare minimum for each vitamin supplement. When you do get sick, instead of relying on synthetic pharmaceuticals, choose natural remedies like oil of oregano to help eliminate the cold. Oil of oregano is an anti fungal, antibiotic and anti viral natural remedy that fortifies your system. You can most of these natural supplements at your local health food store or through your naturopath. They are often much cheaper than synthetic alternatives, so they are a cost effective substitute.
