Achieving a Healthier Immune System

As we move through the year, we also move into and out of several cold and flu seasons. From the summer crud to the winter flu, it’s all a possibility. But there's no reason to resign yourself to surviving off medications and store bought chemistry to suffer through. There are lots of all natural remedies to help you through this time boost your immune system in the process.

So then why do people get sick in the first place? Well no one knows for sure. Some scientists think it has to do with our proximity to each other, staying indoors in the winter for example and people going on vacation in the summer months. They theorize this proximity and movement of people gives us more opportunity to expose each other to germs and viruses.

So without further delay, here are five ways to boost your immune system:

1. Vitamin D- to be clear not the “fortified” in processed foods variety or the type you get from pills. Most people, especially in the winter months, have a vitamin D deficiency. For some it’s even dangerously low. While the best vitamin D comes from the sun here are some of the best edible sources of naturally occuring vitamin D include:
   1. wild caught fatty fish such as tuna, mackerel and salmon
   2. cheese
   3. egg yolks
2. Garlic- For thousands of years it has been a treatment for sickness and boosting your immune system. As one of the most powerful of all superfoods it should be included in as many meals as possible.
3. Krill Oil- is a naturally occurring algae found deep in the ocean, which is rapidly becoming known as a super supplement and antioxidant because it is one of the best known sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. Krill oil has been shown to be more capable of destroying free radicals than any other carotenoids.
4. Exercise- if you think you may be getting sick a light-intensity workout might be just what you need to kick on your immune system to fight off that crud you picked up at work.
5. Tea- There is bountiful evidence of the healing power of green tea and other herbal teas. They can help strengthen the immune system and even help shorten the length of a cold. Since teas are loaded with powerful antioxidants unique to each tea we recommend a couple broad spectrum teas without getting into specifics:

• Renovation Tea: Gunpowder Green Tea— Extensive research confirms the high antioxidant and polyphenol activity found in green tea, and it comes highly recommended as a general cleansing beverage. Because of the caffeine content, green tea should be prepared using small amounts of herb and steeped no longer than 1-2 minutes. Shop Gunpowder Green Tea.
• Renovation Tea: Super Healthy Tea— Loaded with antioxidants and may help support a healthy immune system by aiding in the prevention of cancer, arthritis, migraines, stroke and heart disease. Shop Super Healthy Tea.

Healthy Eats:

Skinny Spicy Sprout Soup (serves two)

Ingredients:

• 4 teaspoons Renovation Tea: Mexican Seasonings
• 2 teaspoons caraway seeds
• salt and pepper (to taste)
• 4 lean lamb loin chops (approx 2 pounds)
• 4 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 small shallot,
• 1 pound chard
• ¼ cup pine nuts, toasted

Instructions:

1. Remove stems from chard and roughly chop the leaves.
2. Drizzle pine nuts with olive oil and salt and place in a 300 degree oven for ten minutes or until lightly toasted.
3. Combine Renovation Tea: Mexican Seasonings, caraway, and salt in a small bowl. Apply this spice mix to both sides of lamb chops, rubbing lightly
4. Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chops and cook until browned, turning once.
5. Transfer lamp to a plate; and lightly cover. Do not clean the pan.
6. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil to the pan and heat over medium heat. Add shallot and cook, stirring, until softened, about 1 minute.
7. Add chard leaves and cook, stirring, until wilted.
8. Stir in pine nuts and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt.
9. Serve the chard topped with the lamb chops and garnish with remaining pine nuts.

**All alternative and natural remedies recommended here should be taken under doctors supervision. Always consult your physician before beginning any herbal program. This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. Consult with your healthcare professional to design an appropriate herbal treatment.