The immune system is the protector of the body. It is the defense against all outside pathogens. When the immune system is compromised, we are vulnerable to viruses, bacteria and degeneration of the body’s tissues. When functioning properly it is able to ward off invaders and repair damaged cells.
Fear and stress are two tremendous contributors to lowering our immune system’s vitality. It can be easy to get swept up in fear and panic in times like these, but it is imperative to stay calm and implement practices that boost the immune system.
Immune System Boosters
Colostrum
This is nature’s recipe for strengthening the immune system. In times like these, taking high doses daily will help protect you from catching and overcoming viral infections.
Vitamin Supplements
Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Magnesium, Zinc and Selenium are just a few essential vitamins to help the body stay healthy and boost the immune system. There are many other supplements that can be researched for your individual health conditions.
Diet
A plant based diet is necessary for replenishing the body’s building blocks. Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Buy organic whenever possible. Try doing a cleanse to rid your body of toxins and excess weight.
Exercise
Staying physically active boosts your immunity. It helps deliver fresh oxygenated blood to all areas of the body and helps sweat out toxins. Walking, running, swimming, yoga and stretching are all great activities to kick start your immune system. Fresh air, sunshine and nature are therapeutic as well, so get outdoors as often as you can, whether it’s in the mountains, in your own backyard or around the neighborhood.
Sleep
Sleep is vital downtime for our bodies to repair and regenerate. If you have trouble sleeping try playing meditation music. There are lots of free meditation videos on YouTube.
Deep Breathing
Corona virus is said to be a virus that attacks the lungs. Practicing deep, conscious breathing helps strengthen and cleanse the lungs. It also helps calm the nervous system and reduce stress. You can practice deep breathing anywhere and in as little as 5 minutes a day you can improve your lung function.
Meditation/Prayer
Meditation lowers blood pressure, heart rate, cortisol levels, and stress. It improves circulation, strengthens the immune system and generates feelings of well-being and relaxation. If you’re new to meditation, YouTube is a great resource for meditation music and guided meditations.
Essential Oils
Many essential oils have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Essential oils can stimulate the limbic system which plays a role in emotions, behavior, long-term memory, breathing, heart rate and blood pressure.
Play
Joy is an important part of well-being and can strengthen our immune system. It is important to cultivate happiness in times of stress. Laughter, creativity and play keep stress at bay.
Connection
Human beings are social creatures. Studies have shown that babies who are not held in infancy are at higher risk of illness and death. Hugging induces oxytocin, the “bonding hormone,” that’s renowned for reducing stress, lowering cortisol levels, heart rates and blood pressure. Hugs also stimulate the thymus gland, which regulates and balances the body’s production of white blood cells, which keep you healthy and disease free. If you’re in isolation at this time, call a friend to connect with. Connection doesn’t have to be physical to be beneficial. Knowing that we are supported and loved by others is fundamental to our well-being.
Support the Immune System
When we take good care of our bodies, our bodies take good care of us. It’s a relationship that must be invested in if we want to live long, healthy lives. I remember when I was young I thought 70 was so old. Many people who haven’t been taught how to care for their health start deteriorating as early as 50. I am fortunate to have great health role models and to have been taught the power of natural healing.
My father will be 80 this year and he walks 2 to 6 miles every day, pushing himself to beat the previous day’s time. He eats a clean diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and takes colostrum every day. He is in excellent health. I only remember 2 occasions of him being sick in my whole life, once with a common cold and the other was a stomach bug from traveling in India.
It is absolutely possible to keep ourselves protected from outside pathogens, at any age, by naturally supporting our immune system. When we do catch a cold or a virus, a healthy immune system is able to recover from it. Remember that stress and fear weaken your defenses. Take deep breaths throughout the day, stock up on BodyBoost and vegetables and get outside in some fresh air for some exercise. Your body will repay you for the love.
Recipes for Boosting Immunity
Papa’s Colostrum Protein Drink
Makes 3 servings
Put all ingredients into a blender and blend
40 oz water
½ ounce black cherry juice concentrate
1 cup frozen fruit
3 scoops whey protein powder
1 scoop BodyBoost Colostrum
½ teaspoon mixed spices (ginger, turmeric, cayenne pepper)
Momma’s Seafood Soup
To start out, know that I don’t use recipes.
I’m a throw it together kind of cook. I keep enough staples on hand to look through what I have and pull something together. This soup varies depending on the veggies I have on hand and whether I’m in the mood for rice, pasta, potatoes or a combination of them.
1 – Lg can clams water included (mix of frozen seafood can be used)
2 – cans stewed tomatoes (chopped tomatoes can also be used)
1 – can kidney beans or your favorite
2-4 cups cooked brown rice, pasta, potatoes or combination of
1- cup frozen peas
1-2 cups some type of veggies (I like zucchini)
1 – ear fresh corn cut off cob
Optional: One package chick peas masala
(Saffron Road – really adds great flavor)
Cheyenne pepper to taste (I also like Cajun spice)
½ to 1 cup Olive oil
2-4 tbsp Basil
1-2 tbsp agave or other sweetener to cut acidity of tomatoes
Extra Water as needed for broth
BodyBoost
BodyBoost colostrum is the first milking after birth and is spray dried using low pressure indirect steam and carefully controlled temperatures to produce a high-quality powder while protecting the colostral proteins. Each colostrum product batch is thoroughly analyzed prior to shipment to assure its quality, efficacy and safety.
