5 Ways to Naturally Boost Your Immune System

In a time of such uncertainty and confusion, there has never been a more crucial moment to pay close attention to building our natural immune systems. The human body is resilient and when cared for, can withstand a surprising amount of stress and toxicity. Our modern-day lifestyles combined with allopathic healthcare seems to overlook the importance of building a healthy immune system. This is having a catastrophic effect on the general wellness of humanity. Chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, neurological disorders and mental health issues, are all on the rise. However, by making a few simple changes to diet and lifestyle we can prevent these illnesses. This is being realised, with more and more people turning to holistic remedies and diet. Let us return to the medicinal gifts of Mother nature. Follow these simple steps towards nourishing and feeding your body and you will not only fight off illnesses, but you will be healthy, happy, vibrant and completely energised!

1. You Are What You Eat

‘Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food’- Hippocrates

You are what you eat. For a super immune system, we need to be eating foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Blending these foods into soups or smoothies is a fantastic way of squeezing out all the nutrients. Often these wonderful antioxidants, minerals and vitamins are lost in the harsh cooking process. Cooking our foods to a crisp along with the use of pesticides and toxins is making it increasingly difficult to reap the rewards of a healthy diet. We can get around this by growing our own and buying local and organic foods where possible. So, which foods stand out from the rest? As Dr Sebi says, we can focus on fruits for electricity, vegetables for grounding, nuts and seeds for building, and herbs for healing. A good balance of these food groups is a great place to start in detoxifying and building a strong immune system. Berries are a rich source of antioxidants and have a high mineral content, while also tasting great in smoothies! Green leafy vegetables come in first for their alkaline mineral content. Also, their high Chlorophyll content makes them fantastic healers and effective blood builders. Lastly on the topic of nutrition, is parasite cleansing. Parasites can cause many illnesses and are increased in a diet rich in meat/dairy so by having some plant-based days/weeks could really help boost your immunity. Pumpkin seeds are great for this as they are full of B and K vitamins which fight off nasty bacteria! Look on our Instagram page for some yummy smoothie recipes!

2. Avoid Anything Pre-Packed

So, we’ve covered which foods to eat, but what to avoid? Well, we need to avoid most things that come pre-packed, and of course fast food! The aisles of supermarkets are filled with processed foods laced with sugars, artificial flavours, chemicals and GMO's. A diet containing these harmful ingredients can lead to a series of health complications and even life-threatening diseases including cancer, heart failure, obesity and high cholesterol. It is surprising as to which household items contain toxic and dangerous ingredients that are unfit for human consumption. These products also contain ingredients that actively make the consumer addicted, which is why we crave fake food, fake scents and junk. MSG, Aspartame, Altrazine, Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Fats, Sodium Nitrates, the list goes on and on. We are living in a time where antibacterial soaps and sprays are flying off the shelves like we have never seen before. Are these products safe? The answer is no, they are full of chemicals and toxins, and while they do kill bacteria, they are also giving birth to super resistant bugs that can withstand almost anything, whilst not allowing our natural immune systems to do their job. For super immunity, our diets need fresh and organic fruit and vegetables, seeds, nuts and herbs. A clean diet creates a vital foundation for your health and is one of the simplest changes we can make to our lifestyles. These foods also have a high-water content which is essential for good immunity and brings us on to our next point.

https://www.thebetterhealthstore.com/043011_top-ten-toxic-ingredients-in-processed-food_01.html

3. Drink More Water

"The true foundation of all culture is the knowledge and understanding of water." - Dr Viktor Schauberger

Diet is nothing without hydration. As we all know, over 60% of our body is water. Water carries nutrients to every one of our cells while flushing out toxins, making it vital for great immunity and wonderfully hydrated skin and organs! Unfortunately, most tap water is contaminated with heavy metals, so it’s worth investing in a distiller or drinking spring water. If you want to liven it up a little, then why not try charging your water? To do this, just add 2-3 pinches of Himalayan pink sea salt per litre of water, containing over 80 different minerals it is a great way to charge your water. Or get juicy and squeeze some fruit into your bottle. Citrus fruit such as lemon and lime are great choices because of their alkalising effect on the body, along with their cleansing properties and mucus dissolving powers! There are plenty of foods that can keep you hydrated, including cucumber, watermelon, celery, cantaloupe, lettuce, coconut, tomato and grapefruit, which all contain over 90% water. If you want to take this hydration to the next level, then check out the research of Dr Viktor Schauberger (AKA the 'Water Wizard') and Dr Masaru Emoto’s findings into the power words and thoughts have on water. In the meantime, have some fun and experiment yourself. Some people write loving words on their water bottles and even pray to their water!

4. Connect With Nature

"When one tugs at a single string in nature, one finds it attached to everything else" - John Muir

Whatever the weather, go out and embrace it, immerse yourself in nature and get grounding! Dr. Joseph Mercola calls grounding the ‘ultimate antioxidant’.

Relive some childhood memories, feel the earth beneath your feet, take a walk barefoot on grass or sand. Get out amongst the elements, your body will thank you for it. Humans are not built for being indoors in a sterile environment. We need contact with other living organisms and the elements. Sunlight and oxygen are two vital factors that contribute to a strong immune system. Sunshine on your skin and clean air in your lungs. Who would have thought it?! Studies show that a deficiency in vitamin D can increase the chances of multiple illnesses, as our immune system needs it. Statistics show that people living nearer to the equator are far less likely to suffer from conditions related to Vitamin D deficiency, such as fatigue, depression, muscle pain and even hair loss, as their skin is able to absorb the necessary amounts all year round.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-deficiency-symptoms

Health benefits of sunlight and vitamin D exposure include:

- Improved Metabolism

- Boosts production of Melatonin and Serotonin, the 'happiness hormones'.

- Increased Energy Levels

- Improved functionality of the Hypothalamus tract, which links the pituitary gland and the nervous system.

- Improved Sleep Pattern

- Enhanced Mood

5. Get Your Minerals

“The body does not need vitamins, the body needs minerals." - Dr Sebi

There are a wide range of mineral supplements we can all take to boost our immunity. Medicinal mushrooms are a great way to help alkalise your body and improve cognitive function while boosting your immune system. Like anything consistency is key, be patient, you will see the benefits over time. The Chaga and Reishi mushrooms stand out as having the widest overall health benefits but taking a complex can be beneficial as they all work together so well. It’s important to remember that 95% of our bodily functions depend on minerals. All minerals are metals and our body needs them to function, they make up our genetic structure and all serve a particular purpose. Important minerals include Iron, Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Selenium, Phosphorus and Sodium. There plenty of essential supplements which can help to aid mineral deficiency. Sea moss, Maca root, Ginseng, Gingko Biloba, Ashwaghanda and Shilajit are all excellent sources of natural minerals. Shilajit, ‘Destroyer of Weakness’, contains Fulvic acid and over 85 trace minerals, so it’s a brilliant way of nourishing and cleansing your body. Shilajit also improves immunity by removing toxins and acting as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. So, start each day with some of the sticky black stuff and a good quality probiotic, and you can be sure that your immune system will thank you for it!

Altai Mountain supply a supreme quality pure Shilajit resin sourced from Western Siberia. We use traditional harvesting and cleansing methods and all products have been 3rd party lab tested for quality and purity. Get yours here!