The Perfect Antioxidant to Enhance Your Immune System

Author: Michelle Honda PhD

Article:
All aspects of our lives impact the immune system. This
brilliantly orchestrated system eliminates and fights off attack
from many different invaders throughout the body. Raising the
integrity of this system will ensure the future health of those
already well, lessen the frequency of infections, speed up
recovery time from illness and improve chronic disease.

LIFESTYLE CHOICES AFFECT OUR IMMMUNE SYSTEM

As with optimizing our health, strengthening the immune system
is achieved through diet, lifestyle, exercise, rest and
attitude. Symptoms of immune weakness include fatigue, recurring
colds, lingering illness, weakness and weight loss. Relaxation
will enhance your immune system, where as negative thinking,
anger and resentments are toxic to the mind. We may be poor in
spirit as in health.

Firstly, recognize the importance of adequate sleep - eight
hours for a normal non-stressed person. And for those with
serious aliments, ten hours or more are needed daily to
rejuvenate the immune system. Turn the TV off before sleeping
and do not eat late or do vigorous exercise before bed.
Relaxation techniques like yoga, deep breathing, or meditative
audio tapes prepare the body and mind for rest.

EVIDENCE VALIDATES THE IMPORTANCE OF ANTIOXIDANTS

Numerous studies show antioxidants to be preventive and
therapeutic for health problems from diabetes and cancer to
general deterioration of the body. We are constantly exposed to
free radicals with every breath we take and every chemical we
eat. Scientists estimate that each cell takes about 10,000 free
radical hits per day from air and car pollution, alcohol,
cigarettes, food additives, caffeine, heavy metals, medications
and unnecessary drugs. Antioxidants are our best friend. They
keep free radicals in check before they can impair our immune
system and damage our cells.

Proclaimed as the near perfect antioxidant, Alpha Lipoic Acid, a
vitamin like substance was first discovered in 1930's but wasn't
until 1988 when research saw its potential. This unique
antioxidant has a number of benefits from extending the life of
other antioxidants to being at home in both water and lipid
environments where it devours free radicals. Alpha lipoic acid
easily crosses cell membranes and once inside the cell becomes
an even stronger antioxidant. It also plays a key role in many
enzyme systems.

ALPHA LIPOIC ACID HELPS TO STABILIZE BLOOD SUGARS

For the past thirty years throughout Europe, it has been used to
stabilize blood sugar in treating diabetes. Dr. James B.
Lavalle, R.Ph., CCN, ND and author of Cracking the Metabolic
Code, recommends six hundred to nine hundred milligrams daily as
an antioxidant. Other conditions which can benefit from alpha
lipoic acid are cataract prevention and neuropathy where by
improves nerve blood flow and regenerates nerve fibres. It also
increases Glutamate, an important liver enzyme. Alpha lipoic
acid can even help convert the food we eat into energy.

ENHANCE NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITY

Selenium, vitamin E and C are other antioxidant heavy weights.
When taken together they become synergistic, enhancing their
ability to remove heavy metals and detox the body. These work
wonderfully as a team to destroy free radicals, protect the
heart and improve circulation. Free radicals work to damage
cells, fueling the aging process through cell mutation and cell
death. Selenium and vitamin E bind to toxic metals, such as
cadmium, mercury, silver and thallium and removes them out of
the body.

Carotenoids, including beta-carotene, lutein and lycopene are
powerful antioxidants. All of these and more stimulate the
natural killer cell activity and antibody response, whereby
reportedly protecting against different forms of cancer.
Beta-carotene, for example is found in yellow and orange fruits
and vegetables. One molecule of this voracious phyto-chemical
can destroy up to a thousand free radicals.

We may not have control over the vast number of pollutants in
our environment, but we can avoid many other chemicals over
which we do have control. Alcohol depletes antioxidants, along
with B vitamins, C and zinc. Antibiotics impair white blood cell
function and disrupts bowel flora. Caffeine, like alcohol is a
diuretic which leaches vital nutrients from our bodies.

FIXING DEFICIENCIES ENHANCES IMMUNE FUNCTION

Nutrition is one of our most powerful allies. Being our primary
nutrient source, it impacts how we think, how susceptible we are
to disease, and how well we recover from illness. A balanced
diet consists of a full range of nutrients necessary to nourish
all our cells and tissues. When the diet is deficient in a
particular chemical element required by a specific organ or
gland, our bodies will be vulnerable to disease. The immune
system responds quickly when given the essential nutrients
needed to keep this complex system strong.

Vitamin C assists the thymus gland to produce T cells. Rich
sources include all fresh fruits and vegetables. Zinc is needed
for T cell production, often deficient in the diet. Zinc is
abundant in nuts and seeds, particularly raw pumpkin seeds and
brazil nuts, whole grains and leafy green vegetables. The
essential fatty acids (EFA's) found in cold pressed oils like
flax seed oil, walnut oil, evening primrose oil and salmon oil
contain linoleic acids, vital in many metabolic functions.

Probiotics, "lactobacillus acidophilus" known as friendly flora
play an essential role in our defense system. Supplement your
diet with fresh, plain yogurt, kefir or the freeze dried capsule
form.

To lighten up the load on the lymph system and boost immunity,
decrease dairy, protein, starches and sugars. Increase your
daily intake of whole grains - consider all colours of the
rainbow when buying fruits and vegetables. Eat more raw foods.

Exercise and sunshine will strengthen your immune system. Get
out and enjoy any form of recreational activity that brightens
your mood. The way we think will affect how we feel, even look.
Feelings of gratitude will transmit happiness and contentment.

=== IN CONCLUSION ===

Balance throughout the human body is what we seek to sustain in
holistic health. Health is not found in a miracle pill, it is a
way of life. Nutrition rebuilds and regenerates tissue without
poisoning some other part of the body. The right biochemical
elements accelerate health and the reversal process.





About the author:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dr. Michelle Honda is Holistic Doctor (natural and preventative
medicine) in private practice at Renew You Holistic Health in
Ancaster Ontario Canada. She holds a Ph.D. D.Sc. in holistic
health sciences, holds an advanced nutrition degree, is a Master
Herbalist and an IIPA Certified Iridologist. She is available
via telephone for private consultations. For more details visit
http://www.healingmyfamily.com or ht