The Immune System
Athletes have equipment to protect them. You don’t see NFL football player in a game without pads and a helmet. You don’t see a baseball player on the field ready to catch the ball without a glove. And you don’t see them with equipment that is falling apart. They have the best of the best. And like athletes, we must maintain our protective equipment- our immune systems. The body has the God-given ability to protect itself from harmful diseases, parasites, viruses, bacterial infections, cancer, and other pathogens, if it is operating at its peak performance. If it is not, we can experience immunodeficiency disorders, autoimmune disorders, allergic disorders, and cancers. The body needs daily maintenance to keep its immune system properly functioning.
First, we need to discuss things that suppress or over-activate the immune system. One commonly known suppressor of the body’s protective equipment is stress. Stress basically uses up the body’s nutrients. Without fuel, the body cannot function properly. This is why people who are under the most stress are most susceptible to illness and often feel tired.
A lack of fresh air and clean water also suppress the immune system by contributing to the creation of free radicals. Free radicals are atoms, molecules, or ions that cause you to rust on the inside, aging you faster. These free radicals must be neutralized with antioxidants. Drinking pure water and opening a window to breathe in fresh air can help the body eliminate the cells that the immune system destroys.
We also know that foods affect our immune systems. Caffeine and sugar, two of the most common parts of the American diet, suppress the immune system. Caffeine raises cortisol, “stress hormone”, levels which, even in small amounts, can affect the immune system for up to 18 hours. Sugar, even in small amounts, can also suppress the immune system. It basically takes the place of Vitamin C in immune cells and can put them in somewhat of a temporary coma. Proper foods are extremely important for immune system health. The wrong foods, such as excessive sugar, caffeine, gluten, and dairy can damage the gut, which is where the majority of the immune system resides.
Two other suppressors of the immune system are antibiotics and vaccines. Antibiotics do not differentiate between good bacteria and bad bacteria like the body’s immune system. They destroy both, causing the fragile balance of the immune system to be compromised and resulting in an overgrowth of yeast and fungus in the gut as well as other health issues. They can also cause the “bugs” they kill to mutate and become resistant to treatment. Vaccines are an extremely controversial topic, and often a personal choice. While designed to help the immune system, they can cause significant issues in the body. Because it is such a controversial and extensive topic, we encourage you to dig deep and do your own research and reach out to us for more information. However, we do encourage the use of proper nutrition and other natural ways to boost and maintain the immune system.
All nutrients are important for the balance of the immune system, but there are some that are more important than others. Vitamin C, Zinc, and Elenolic acid (found in olive leaves and NingXia wolfberries) all have an extremely important role in balancing and maintaining the immune system. Interestingly, a “study by Upjohn, a major American pharmaceutical company, investigated (elenolic acid) in olive leaf for its ability to fight viruses. By the late 1960’s they proved that it could stop every virus it tested against.” There are also many foods that can boost the immune system. These include whole grains, oats (not quick or instant), vegetables, fruits-especially cantaloupe, legumes, nuts, seeds, and high- quality proteins.
Ultimately, the immune system is an important part of our body. It can be maintained in natural ways, such as proper nutrition, essential oils, and supplements. Young Living has many products designed to boost the immune system, such as Immupower, Immupro, Inner defense, Thieves, Frankincense, Longevity, and many others. Because the intestines are where the majority of our immune system resides, we must also take care of it. Through muscle testing, we can discover if your immune system needs extra support and how to help your immune system function optimally.
