How to Support Your Immune System

Our immune system is our first line of defense against illness and disease. When our immune system is compromised, we are subject to a long list of potential problems. We often take our immune system for granted or are told that our immune system has turned against us or is not capable of repairing itself or healing. This could not be farther from the truth. Our physical body is truly amazing and capable of healing itself even in extreme situations.

There are some pioneers in the field of science and medicine that are dispelling all that we once believed about autoimmune disease and the role of DNA in determining disease. Two of my favorites are Dr. Joe Dispenza and Dr. Bruce Lipton. I won’t go into their work here, but I will say that implications of their discoveries are far reaching - they prove the power of thought and exhibit how capable we are of creating change and healing.

The basis for well-being

In order to create well-being we need to learn what harms our body, and what our bodies need in order to activate their innate healing power.

The industrial revolution has brought a tremendous amount of chemicals and toxins into our lives, which are found in our foods, environment, and homes, such as cleaners, bleach, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, chemical fertilizers, vinyl, aluminium foil and cans, processed foods, chlorine, fluoride and much more. These toxins make their way into our bodies and wreak havoc on our immune system. We need to be more aware of these toxins in order to minimize our exposure.

One important step in creating well-being, is to gain access to good quality drinking water and as much organic food as possible. It is equally important we use safe household cleaners and non-toxic body-care products. We also need to recognize the foods that harm our body. Eggs, dairy and wheat negatively affect the immune system by feeding viruses and bacteria existing within the body. Foods that contribute to inflammation include canola, soy and corn oil. It is best to limit all of these foods to a minimum, and eliminate them completely when dealing with a chronic or recurring disease.

Foods that support the immune system

Nutrition is the basis for good health, and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables provide the body with what it needs to heal. Animal protein can be consumed in moderation, however, when we are ill, this type of protein creates additional work for an already overloaded immune system. When feeling ill or looking for ways to improve our health, it is prudent to cut back on animal protein and other foods with a high fat content, at least until we are feeling better.

The list of specific foods that support our immune system is too long to discuss here, and we have listed many of these foods in the different articles here on this website. Needless to say, there are some foods that deserve extra attention, and I’d like to begin with the humble blueberry.

Berries: All berries are extremely potent superfoods that are rich in antioxidants, slow down the aging process and keep us alive. Berries are an excellent source of iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc, molybdenum, potassium, chromium and calcium, as well as omega-3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. All wild berries give us added protection, yet wild blueberries win the prize for the most healing and potent food on Earth. These berries hold ancient and sacred survival information from beyond this realm. Their resilience make them truly amazing. Wild blueberries have been around for tens of thousands of years and have adapted to every fluctuation in climate imaginable. This has imprinted within these berries the power of survival.

Bananas, oranges and citrus fruit: Bananas and citrus fruit have been given a bad rap, maybe because they are so healing. Some foods are so powerful, that when we eat them they awaken the immune system, causing it to function better. This can manifest as an increase in the production of mucus, which has lead to the mistaken belief that these foods trigger extra mucus in the body. Bananas contain powerful anti-fungal and antibiotic compounds that help stop viruses in their tract. Oranges and other citrus fruit contain a high amounts of vitamin C and hundreds of phytochemicals that are essential for good health. Many believe that citrus fruit is acidic in nature and should be avoided when suffering from certain conditions, when in fact they are rich in lime and alkaline salts that help to counteract and prevent acidosis in the body.

Spinach: Raw spinach contains a good amount of bioavailable protein and is one of the best foods for rebuilding lymphocytes and supporting the immune system. A daily dose of raw spinach can do wonders. The oxalic acid content in raw spinach is not a health concern, and you can read more about it in the article on Leafy Greens.

Cruciferous vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, radishes, kohlrabi, cabbage, and watercress. These foods hold important phytochemicals and are instrumental in supporting the immune system, and preventing and healing cancer. Many people are afraid to eat these foods because they have been told that they negatively affect the thyroid. Nothing could be farther from the truth. You can read more on the subject in Anthony William's book: Thyroid Healing

Fresh herbs are rich in phytochemicals that fight disease, and are also extremely rich in minerals. Oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme are some of the most important antiviral herbs available. Other important herbs to include in your daily diet are cilantro, parsley, purslane, dandelion greens and garlic. Dried herbs such as lemon balm, burdock, rose hips, nettle leaf, raspberry leaf, red clover, ginger and chaga are great to incorporate as tea. They can provide much needed nutrients while also supporting the immune system.

Spirulina and barley grass juice extract not only assist in removing heavy metals from the body, but they are also a great multi-vitamin that is both bio-available and bio-assimilable.

Raw wild honey: Raw wild honey is truly a miracle food. Honey has saved human lives during times of starvation. This wild food is actually a nectar, liquid gold that can turn your life around. For those worried about the sugar in honey, worry not - this sugar is rich in phytochemicals that contain anti-cancerous compounds and protect us from radiation damage.

Juicing: Another way to amend deficiencies is to drink lots of vegetable juice. Our intestinal tracts are often callused due to a lack of hydrochloric acid, exposure to antibiotics and toxic chemicals. This inhibits our ability to properly absorb the nutrients in our food. Fresh vegetable juice is easily assimilated in the body, and provides us with much needed nutrients, while helping to restore and feed the digestive lining. Of all the different juices, celery juice is the most important, and discussed in detail in the The Miraculous Digestive System.

Building a solid foundation with the help of supplements

Over time, mankind has developed nutritional deficiencies that are passed on from generation to generation. Many diseases that are often considered genetic, are actually the result of deficiencies being passed down. Exposure to stress, pollution and toxins further deplete our bodies of minerals, vitamins and other nutrients. In addition to all this, modern day life is often hectic, and we don’t always eat as well as we could. If we want to stay healthy and heal from disease, we need the help of supplements.

Foundational supplements

To help us survive on planet Earth in the 21st century, we need help in addressing nutritional deficiencies that have accumulated over time, and using supplements is one way to do this.

B12: When supplementing with B12, it is important to use a supplement that has both methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin. Methylcobalamin supports the internal organs, while adenosylcobalamin supports the immune system and neurological system, preventing neurological disease, anxiety, low platelets, thyroid problems and more. Another way to insure that we have enough B12 is to eat a variety of sprouts and/or organic produce regularly. These foods provide the elevated biotics needed by the body to produce our own B12. Any supplement that contains additives or cyanocobalamin should not be used under any circumstance.

Zinc: Zinc protects us from virtually every disease. Some signs of a zinc deficiency include grooves, dents, white spots or receding moon on your fingernails. Much of the zinc in our soils has been depleted, which means our foods are often lacking in zinc. In addition to this, due to environmental pollution, our bodies need more zinc than ever before. Anyone dealing with a chronic or acute disease should supplement with a high quality zinc that is free of preservatives, citric acid, natural flavors and/or alcohol.

DHA/EPA: Omega 3 fatty acids are an important supplement and best obtained from food whenever possible. It is extremely important not to use a omega 3 supplement derived from fish oil. The mercury in fish oil supplements is “removed” from the oil, creating a homeopathic dilution of the mercury, which makes it extremely toxic.

Probiotics: Though we can get plenty of elevated biotics from fresh organic produce, when dealing with disease, it is important to give the digestive tract additional support. A non-dairy, time released probiotic can be a good supplement to choose for that extra support.

Vitamin D: Many believe that vitamin D is a foundational supplement; however I disagree with this approach. When we are exposed to sunlight, this increases the production of various enzymes, minerals and vitamins, one of which is vitamin D. For those who cannot get out into the sun, supplemention of vitamin D can be helpful, just remember that mega doses are harmful. A good dietary source of vitamin D is sunflower seeds, which contain vitamin D as well as other important vitamins and minerals. If you decide to supplement, look for a a high quality D3.

What to avoid when choosing a supplement

When choosing a supplement, it is important to look at the ingredients listed on the bottle. Often supplements will contain toxic chemicals we do not want to ingest.

Citric Acid: This is a toxic chemical derived from corn and is used as a preservative. The type of citric acid in supplements is not the type of citric acid present in citrus fruit. This chemical is hard on the immune system and the intestinal tract and is a supplement you don’t want to use.

Natural Flavors: Natural flavors are anything but natural. They are composed of chemicals, contain MSG (monosodium glutamate), and other toxins. Vanilla, cherry or any other flavoring are also chemicals you want to avoid. Vanilla extract is a food and presents no problem.

Alcohol: Alcohol is often used to extract and preserve herbs. Contrary to popular belief, the alcohol in a tincture cancels out the healing properties of the different herbs used. In addition to this, often the alcohol is produced from GMO corn, which greates an even greater problem.

Bovine derivatives: Bovine adrenal, kidney, liver, ox bile supplements are made from inferior animal products and contain toxic heavy metals and hormones.

Whey Protein: Whey contains glutamic acid which is a precursor to MSG, and should be avoided at all times.

Carnitine: Carnitine is another popular supplement or ingredient in other supplements, and should be avoided if you have a chronic illness.

Preservatives: All types of preservatives should be avoided, especially those found in supplements. Sometimes the preservatives will be listed in the “other ingredients” list, to create an impression that the product is pure. If you see a long list of ingredients that are hard to comprehend, that is usually a good indication that the supplement contains chemical additives.

In conclusion

Nutrition, herbs and supplements are instrumental in helping us resolve deficiencies, supporting our physical and emotional body in many ways. When seeking to move forward into a state of well-being, it is equally important to address emotional issues and limiting belief systems that can keep us back or perpetuate a state of dis-ease.

When dealing with any disease it is imperative that we recognize our bodies’ ability to heal. It is difficult for me to describe how amazing our bodies truly are. We are divine beings and hold powers well beyond our imagination. The physical body - Image and Form - are our homes while we are here on Earth. We need to nurture and cherish them the best we can. At times, it is easy to believe that our bodies or our DNA has betrayed us, but this is never the case. Each and every illness has physical, mental and emotional components, and we need to address them all, and as we continue to do this, we begin to heal in ways that once seemed impossible.

Knowing what our bodies need is half the battle. Now that we know what our bodies need in order to heal themselves and stay healthy, we can begin living the life we have come here to live - a life of joy, well-being and love.

Let the healing begin,

Beth

Information in this article is based on Anthoy William's work | Medical Medium

Additional reading recommendations:

Dr. Caroline Myss | The Anatomy of the Spirit