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7 Simple Ways To Enhance Your Immunity

12/15/2021

You’ve probably seen website ads and natural food stores promoting miracle foods and potions that claim to boost your immune system. Are they worth the money?

In reality, a healthy lifestyle will probably do more for your immune system than anything you can buy.

The same habits that keep you strong and fit will maximize your resistance to infection and illness.

At the same time, it’s important to follow the advice of public health experts related to contagious illnesses, such as COVID-19. Practice social distancing, wash your hands frequently, and call your doctor promptly if you have any symptoms that concern you.

Sensible precautions and healthy choices can lower your risk of disease.

Consider these 15 simple ways to enhance your immunity…

EATING HABITS THAT SUPPORT IMMUNITY:

Eat produce. Vegetables and fruits are rich in antioxidants and vitamins that help fight inflammation. Current federal guidelines recommend one and a half to two cups of fruit and two to two and a half cups of vegetables each day.
Avoid sugar. In addition to empty calories, sugar can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. The average American consumes 17 teaspoons daily, far more than the American Heart Association’s maximum of 9 teaspoons for men and 6 for women.
Increase fiber. High fiber foods have a positive effect on your gut microbiome and immune functioning. Good choices include apples, potatoes, dark colored vegetables, beans, nuts, and whole grains.
Try probiotics. Fermented foods are another source of healthy gut bacteria. Enjoy yogurt, miso, and tempeh.
Drink tea. Tea contains a special kind of antioxidants called flavonoids that enhance immune function. Along with water, unsweetened tea also helps you to stay hydrated without extra calories.
Add herbs. Ancient customs and modern medicine provide some support for the theory that certain herbs aid immune functions. Such herbs include garlic, ginger, and turmeric. (Check out out Book of The Week for more info on herb uses).
Consider supplements. If it’s difficult for you to meet your nutritional needs through diet alone, you may want to take supplements. Talk with your doctor about your individual requirements.

OTHER HABITS THAT SUPPORT IMMUNUTY:

Know the signs. How can you tell if your immune system may be weak? Monitor yourself for common signs such as frequent infections, fatigue, and wounds that are slow to heal.
Quit smoking. Using tobacco lowers your levels of antioxidants and makes you more prone to respiratory infections and other illnesses. Studies show that your chances of quitting successfully increase if you combine methods, such as nicotine replacement devices and counseling.
Limit alcohol. Similarly, heavy drinking suppresses the immune system. If you feel like your drinking is out of control, talk with your doctor about services that may help.
Stay social. Your mental and physical health depend on mutually supportive relationships. Make it a priority to spend time with family and friends. If you can’t physically be with them, take advantage of technology like FaceTime, Slack, Zoom, and other video chats. Even phone calls and texts can benefit you.
Lose weight. Being obese or overweight puts an extra burden on your immune system. Shed pounds safely with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Work out. Slimming down is just one of the benefits of physical activity. Find a variety of sports and classes that you enjoy, so you’ll want to stick with your program. For more fun and greater accountability, invite a friend to join you. Many places even offer virtual classes if you wish to participate at home.
Manage stress. Chronic tension increases hormones that interfere with your immune system. In addition to exercise, relax with meditation and music.
Sleep well. One study found that adults who slept for at least 7 hours each night were 4 times less likely to get a cold compared to those who slept for 6 hours or less. Set a consistent bedtime and stick to it.

Even when you’re at rest, your immune system is working to protect you day and night. Taking care of your body will help it to do its job so you can lead a long and active life.

Share your thoughts - How do you enhance your immune system?
Leave me a comment below.

Demeka

P.S. If you're looking for someone to help you on your health journey, please give me a call, I'm a Certified Nutritional Consultant and Herbalist.

Book a session with Demeka in Stone Mountain, GA. You can also contact me @ 678.701.7757.

Prescription for Herbal Healing - By: Phyllis A. Balch CNC, Stacey Bell
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5 Ways The Moon Affect Your Health & Behavior?

12/7/2021

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Research has discovered a full moon can affect our physical well being in many ways.

Heart - The moon cycle may affect your heart but not in the romantic sense. A study published in the Indian Journal of Basic and Applied Medical Research found that when exercising, your heart is at its peek performance during a full moon and new moon. I'll definitely be working out around this time!
Brain - We all know that they moon is responsible for the flow of ocean tides, because our brains are a significant source of water, Dutch researchers hypothesize the Moon's gravitational pull could similarly have an effect on our brain, causing erratic behavior (check out: Do Full Moons Make People Crazy).
Menstrual Cycle - The average menstrual cycle is approximately 28 days, which is quite similar to the 29 day-ish lunar cycle. This timing may be more than a coincidence according to Chinese researchers who discovered that almost 30% of all the women monitored ovulated at the full Moon and menstruated during the new moon. In some cultures, there is even a name for this phenomenon, called White Moon Cycle, which essentially mirrors the fertility of the Earth which is said to be most fertile under full moonlight.
Sleep - A study published in Current Biology in 2013 reviewed the sleep patterns of participants over 3 days in which they were allowed to fall asleep at will in a controlled environment that had neither clocks nor outside light. After comprising all the data, it was then compared to the moon phases, researchers determined participants not only had lower melatonin levels during bright moon phases, but they also took 5 minutes long to fall asleep,slept 20 minutes less in general, and had 30% less REM sleep.
Injuries - Knowing that the full moon can affect our behavior in certain ways, it shouldn't be a surprise that we are more prone to accidents or illness during this time. A study published in World Journal of Surgery in 2011 found that over 40% of medical personnel believe in "Full Moon Madness" among patients. It was also revealed that emergency calls for all sorts of conditions actually increases by 3% whenever there's a full moon, and the drops by 6% during a new moon.

British researchers in 2008 found a link between the lunar cycle and what doctors call "medically unexplained stroke symptoms", where patients develop complaints such as headaches, numbness and coordination issues but have nothing physically wrong with them. (More of this article can be found here).

Share your thoughts - Do you experience any changes in your health during the full moon or new moon?
Leave me a comment below.

Demeka

p.s.
The 2022 Menstrual / Period / Moon Tracker is here...click here to check it out!

p.s.s.
If you're looking to up your ritual manifestation game, check out my Moon Phase Manifestation Planner. It has everything you need to get started! Check it out...click here!

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7 Simple Ways To Enhance Your Immunity

5 Ways The Moon Affect Your Health & Behavior?

Holistic Wellness Architect

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