Boost your immunity -- naturally
This year's flu season is the worst in years. Find out how you can naturally boost your immunity and keep those germs away.
Cold and flu season is here. Dr. Frank Lipman, founder of the Eleven Elven Wellness Center, shared 10 tips with the Huffington Post to naturally boost your immunity and keep those germs at bay.
Cold and flu season is here. Dr. Frank Lipman, founder of the Eleven Elven Wellness Center, shared 10 tips with the Huffington Post to naturally boost your immunity and keep those germs at bay.
10. Ditch The Antibacterial Soap
Lipman says antibacterial soaps are loaded with toxins and may create resistant bacteria. They also over-dry and crack the skin, making transmission of viruses that much easier.
9. Chill Out
Do breathing exercises, yoga or just things you enjoy to help boost immunity, relieve tension and enhance physical and mental resilience.
8. Break A Sweat
Adequate exercise helps keep your immune system healthy and robust, so keep moving throughout the winter.
7. Don't Skimp On Sleep
Get plenty of sleep to allow your body to restore and repair itself while at rest. Shoot for at least seven hours a night and try taking a 20-minute catnap if you're falling short.
6. Garlic
Not only does garlic repel vampires, Lipman says it also has antiviral properties and is a known immunity booster.
5. Eat Your Greens
Colorful salads and dark greens are loaded with flu-fighting phytonutrients, so eat up.
4. Lay Off The Junk Food
Lipman says sugar dramatically decreases immune function, and virtually all of the nutrients in processed foods get processed right out so they do nothing to strengthen immunity.
3. Antiviral Herb Supplements
Four great antiviral supplements are andrographis, olive leaf extract, grapefruit seed extract and elderberry extract. Use one or several in combination as a preventative measure.
2. Daily Probiotic
A recent study confirmed that probiotics could help fight off colds. Look for a probiotic with 10-20 billion organisms and take one every day.
1. Vitamin D
Adequate levels of Vitamin D are essential for the immune system to function the way it ought to. Lipman recommends taking a Vitamin D3 supplement daily.
