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A healthy immune system is a strong defence against diseases. The best way off course, is through breast-feeding. A baby receives antibodies through the mother's milk, including all the nutrients needed for the first 6 months. Much of the benefit of breastfeeding is derived from colostrum, the mammary fluid secreted the first few days after delivery.

The immune system can be optimized to prevent infection, diseases and minimized the impact of allergies. Most people know that for good health, one should not smoke, minimize alchohol and drug comsumption, regular exercise, daily sunshine, rest and enough sleep. Emotional stress should be reduced to minimize the effect on the adrenal glands which manufacture hormones that augment immunity and adverse responses within the body.

What more effective and cost-effective way to enhance the immune system naturally than eating 'healty' food and develope a healty lifestyle! Eat more organic vegetables. Organic vegetables taste better and should be free of dangerous pesticides. Drink more water and fresh vegetable juices. Talking about water, nowadays, 'good and balanced' water is hard to come by. Water from the tap contains harmful chemicals like chlorine and/or fluoride. Plastic bottled water transfer chemicals from the plastic into the water. Distilled water contains no minerals. With non-organic vegetables, rinse in cold water with a couple of spoonful of white vinegar to help remove pesticides. Vegetables that can be eaten in unlimited amounts are red and green leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, brocoli, chinese cabbage, bok choy, fennel, radishes, green onions, endive, escarole, celery, cucumbers, cauliflower, squash, zucchini, brussels sprouts, turnips, dandelion greens, green and red cabbage, jerusalem artichokes, kohlrabi, cilantro and parsley. Eat wisely with vegetables of high suga contains like carrot. Large amount of coffee acts as a diuretic, causing the loss of important trace minerals. Better option would be chinese herbal tea, green tea and other tea types. Best to each vegetable raw.

Healty fats provide omega-3,6,9 essential fatty acids around joints. One of the best source is hempseed oil. Raw sunflower and pumpkin seeds are also good source of fats.

 

Whenever possible, use and eat the following wisely and/or avoid:

   Use high sugar vegetables wisely such as carrot, packaged cereals, etc. Artificial sweeteners are

          best to be avoided. Eat fruits like banana, oranges, papaya, mangoes, melons and other                               

          'sweet' tasting tropical fruits wisely as they contain high sugar.

   Avoid peanuts.

   Use trans-fatty acids wisely.

   Use commercial milk and dairy products wisely.

   Use fruit juices from manufacturing processes and bottled, including 'organic' 'unsweetened' varieties wisely.

   Use pork and most commercially processed meat wisely. Becareful of raw meat and water  

         because parasites are found in highest concentration in meat and sea food. Avoid shell fish.

   Becareful and/or avoid using microwave ovens. There is evidence that suggests microwaves can

         seriously deplete foods of their enzymes and nutrients while creating radiation byproducts that

         may cause negative health effects.

 

Whenever possible, use a combination of vitamins, minerals, herbs and other natural food that increase interferon production and bolster immunity. Consider the following supplements and food:

   Vitamin A and beta-carotene- best source is cod liver oil (one tablespoon a day) to reduce the

         severity of measles infections, essential fatty acid omega3 for anti-inflammatory benefits.

   Vitamine C and bioflavonoids

   Vitamen E

   Wheat grass is rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and enzymes and enhances

         interferon production. Best taken in juice form.

   Larch arabinogalactan is found in a wide range of plants, including carrots, radishes, black beans,

         pears, wheat and tomatoes etc. It has potent immune-enhancing properties and good source

         of dietary fiber. Supplement available in powder form.

   Bovine colostrum -first mammary secretion from female mammals provide newborns in the first 24 to

         48 hours after birth. It contains numerous immune system and growth factors.

   Probiotics - from cultured dairy products such as yogurt, acidophilus milk, buttermilk, sour cream,

         cottage cheese etc. producing 'friendly bateria' that maintain a healthy intestinal flora,

         an essential aspect of overall health.

   Astragalus - chinese herb

   Boneset - native american indians use this herb successfully for the treatment of colds, flus,

         coughs, fevers, indisgestion and pain.

   Echinacca (echinacea angustifolia - a type of flower) from north american indians used it for

         treatment of toothaches, snake bites, insect bites, and all types of infections.

   Germanium use for chronic fatigue, allegies, infections and cancer. A good source is from

         korean ginseng.

   Licorice is a tonic and energy booster.

   Medicinal mushrooms such as reishi, maitake, shiitake, kombucha etc., stinulate many aspects of

         the immune system including the production of interferon.

 

 Adapted from "Natural Alternatives to Vaccination" by Zoltan Rona MD published in 2000 by alive books (alive natural health guides,7) 7436 Fraser Park Drive, Burnaby BC V5J 5B9 (604)435-119, 1-800-661-0303.