The immune system defends our body, especially against external aggressions. When he is in good health, no infection can resist him, especially winter infections such as colds, flu or viruses.
Our immune system is a great machine:
Our health is closely linked to the proper functioning of our immune system. The latter is itself intimately linked to the state of our physiological terrain, that is to say deficiencies, overloads, waste, toxins, acidity of our physiological fluids (blood, lymph, cells).
As Dr. Antoine Béchamp, a contemporary and rival of Pasteur, said: “the microbe is nothing, the terrain is everything”. Phrase taken over by Pasteur himself on his deathbed!
In other words, if your terrain is at the top, your immune system will have no difficulty in eradicating a microbial and viral infection.
What are the natural solutions to strengthen your immune system?
Products to be used in preventive:
- Probiotics act on the immune system by stimulating several of its elements involved in the defense and integrity of intestinal cells. They strengthen the immune response to certain infections. You can get them in organic stores or in pharmacies. But if you have trouble getting it, know that it is found (in lesser quantities) in lacto-fermented foods or sauerkraut.
- Vitamin D is important for bones, but also for the normal functioning of our immune system. Exposure to the sun promotes the production of vitamin D. During the period from October to April, we can supplement our vitamin D needs with additional treatment. To find out the necessary amount to take, you will need to consult a health professional because this amount depends on the extent of the bone deficiency.
- Echinacea is a plant that stimulates the body’s defense system and helps fight colds. It is therefore both preventive and curative. You can get it in organic stores in capsule form.
- Shitake, maïtake and reishi, mushrooms from the Asian pharmacopoeia. They help us adapt to psychological and environmental stress, strengthen our immune system, fight germ attacks and better resist epidemics during the bad season. Warning! Mushrooms have a high concentration, it will be necessary to consult a health professional in order to have more information on the quantity to take for a cure.
Products to use in curative:
- Vitamin C. Vitamin C deficiency is one of the causes of the weakened immune system. Since it is not synthesized by the body, it must be provided by food or by supplementation with acerola (natural vitamin C). You can find it in pharmacies in the form of magnesium chloride in sachets.
- Echinacea, we have already mentioned above. Before starting a cure with this plant, it will be necessary to take the opinion of a health professional. Indeed, if you have an autoimmune disease or diabetes, for example, there are contraindications.
- Propolis is a coating which bees use to cover all the interior surfaces of the hive in order to ensure its solidity and to protect it against microbial or fungal invasions. It also protects humans!
- Grapefruit seed extract, very effective against bacteria, viruses and fungi without harming your intestinal flora.
Solutions to apply on a daily basis
A person who shows signs of immune weakness, such as repeated colds, or who wants to defend themselves better against common ailments should first and foremost look at their lifestyle. In fact, smoking, lack of sleep or physical activity, level of stress, quality of social relationships and living environment (environmental pollution) are elements that will all weaken our terrain and make our immune system less efficient.
Adopt a healthy, organic diet
Diet is a determining factor in the health of the immune system. There are therefore some recommendations to follow:
- Favor a balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids. It must be varied and adapted to the seasons and stages of each person's life.
- Reduce the intake of foods rich in visible or hidden sugar (foods with a high glycemic index).
- Avoid using too much saturated animal fats and excess animal proteins
- Prefer unsaturated fats containing essential fatty acids: virgin oil of 1st press, cold, rich in omega 3 (rapeseed, flax, nuts, camelina) or small fish of cold seas (anchovies, sardines, mackerel).
- Increase the share of vegetables, and fruits (especially colored ones)
- Favor the intake of fibrous foods: legumes, semi-whole or whole grains, vegetables or fruits.
- Favor organic foods to avoid the intake of pesticides and endocrine disruptors.
Reduce chronic stress
It leads to a significant drop in immunity. Each of us has surely experienced the annoyance of falling ill just at the start of the holidays, precisely when the stress subsides!
More generally, the immune system is closely related to our psyche and our behavior in the face of adversity in life. Also, emotional shocks, psychological problems and relationship conflicts will greatly alter the functioning of our immunity.
Have a restful sleep
Lack of sleep prevents the body from repairing itself, cleaning itself and producing enzymes, hormones, white blood cells. Going to bed between 9 p.m. and midnight will allow the body to cleanse and repair itself.
Exercise and maintain or develop muscle mass
Muscles constitute a fundamental nutritional reserve for white blood cells. This explains why people with serious diseases of the immune system see their muscles literally melt.
More generally, physical exercise helps oxygenate, release muscle tension, detoxify the body, stimulate the immune system, disconnect the mind.
Raise and strengthen the field
If at some point the body needs an outside boost, there are various natural supplements that can be used that contain vitamins, minerals or plant extracts. These help strengthen the immune system, fight winter infections or relieve symptoms.
- Increase the share of vegetables, and fruits (especially colored ones)
- Favor the intake of fibrous foods: legumes, semi-whole or whole grains, vegetables or fruits.
- Favor organic foods to avoid the intake of pesticides and endocrine disruptors.