How to Build a Strong Immune System

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By thebeaddoodler
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Build Immunity

In light of the recent outbreak of a new flu strain that has killed 61 in Mexico and 8 in the US(as of today, April 25, 2009), it behooves each of us to make sure we have a strong immune system.
A strong immune system is necessary to protect us from daily stress, reduce seasonal allergies and most of all, ward of serious viral infections like the flu.
This can be accomplished with the aid of various supplements, herbs and the foods we eat on a daily basis.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

brightly colored fruits, berries and vegetables
cold water fish and seafood
whole grains
legumes
herbs from your health food store (optional)

Step 1

Fruits and Vegetables

Foods for a Strong immune system.
Our grocery stores contain a bright array of fresh fruits and vegetables, but sometimes we just get in a rut and eat the same thing over and over. To build a strong immune system we need a large range of nutrients to keep our bodies performing at its peak. Try rotating these through your diet.
Onion and garlic,
Leafy greens such as kale, collards, turnip greens, spinach
Tomatoes provide the much needed lycopene
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower increase your detoxification enzymes and provide many necessary nutrients
Orange vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, and pumpkin give the benefits of beta carotene (vitamin A)
Berries are a great source of vitamin C and fiber plus many various anti-oxidants.
Citrus another great source for vitamin C. They also help detoxify your body and regulate PH.A body with a low or acidic PH is more prone to disease.
Whole Grains excellent source of anti inflammatory agents. Whole grains regulate your glucose level and protect from heart disease and diabetes.
Fish and Seafood. Wild salmon, haddock, trout and sardines are great sources for omega 3 fatty acids that help build a strong cardio- vascular system.
Legumes and soy foods Great source for high protein, low fat meals.
Step 2

Herbs for a strong immune system
Echinacea is one of the most widely known herbs for building the immune system. It outsells all other herbs for this purpose.
Medicinal mushrooms. Reishi, maitake, and cordyseps mushrooms are great immune builders. They’re also used as anti-cancer foods. You can find them in capsule form at your health food stores, or incorporate the fresh ones into your recipes.
Step 3

Stress is a major destroyer of the immune system. Studies show that adults who get 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night had less effects of stress. If you find that impossible, try drinking a cup of chamomile tea before bed time. If the chamomile tea isn’t strong enough, mix passionflower with it. Sleep with a light blocking mask. The body needs total darkness to produce melatonin which reduces the effects of stress on the system.
Step 4

Exercise regularly. The more you exercise, the stronger your heart and lungs become. Exercise also increases the rate of exchange of fresh and stagnate fluid around the cells and the flow of lymph fluid, causing your body to flush out much more toxins than if you didn’t exercise.