Why would you have a week immune system? One word: STRESS!! Stress is the most common cause of weak immunity and has been linked to increased risk of heart disease, strokes, cancer and a list of other diseases. It is so important to recognize and treat a low immune system because it is a precursor to many, many diseases. So when your acupuncturist asks you if you could possibly find some way to reduce the stress level in your life, it’s no joke! Yes, stress is our number one health enemy in this country.
We may be unknowingly causing our body stress. Unresolved feelings of guilt, resentment or anger will slowly but surely take their toll. Forgiveness and gratitude are preliminary steps to overcoming this self-destruction. Daily routines of meditation, prayer, and positive visualization normally support the experience of continual renewal. Think of the cells in your body that constantly repair, renew and rebuild. Wouldn’t it make sense for your mind-or spirit to need that same renewal and repair?
An important concept to for understanding immunity is that of “free radicals”. Free radicals are molecules created by cells in the body upon exposure to toxins, viruses, germs, or fungi. After creating free radicals for their own protection, body cells themselves also become targets of destruction. They must ward them off with an antioxidant defense using nutrients known as free-radical scavengers. When free radicals attack unprotected cells, they cause destruction and degeneration of normal cells and tissues, disrupting the action of DNA-this is suspected to cause cancer in some instances.
Causes of Weak Immune System:
You may be unknowingly exposing yourself to toxins. New carpet, furniture, clothes, and cars are all saturated with toxins that are harmful to your immunity. Avoid using common household cleaning chemicals. You may combine vinegar and hydrogen peroxide and use as a cleanser. Buy organic vegetables and fruit to avoid toxic pesticides. Buying organically grown food will also increase the quality of food giving you more nutrition. Food that is grown commercially is typically not as rich in vitamins and minerals.
Causes of Immune deficiency: Stress, Toxins, Surgery, Illness, Electromagnetic field (EMF) From light bulbs, TV screens, and Computer screens, advanced age, a dormant virus, side effects of some pharmaceutical drugs, poor eating habits, Allergies/food allergies, emotional distress, depression, anxiety, phobia, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, lack of fresh air, lack of sunshine, piracites.
Nutrition:
- Vitamin B complex
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin E and Vitamin D3
- Flax Seed Oil
- Grains
- Legumes
- Sprouts
- Green foods
- Vegetables
- Most important: GRAINS AND GREENS!!
- When a variety of these foods are consumed, abundant protein, copper, and B vitamins necessary for iron absorption will be available.
- Iron: found in vegetables legumes, grains, nuts, seeds.
- For the first stages of treating blood deficiency, the richest source of iron is algae, including both seaweeds and micro-algae such as spirulina, and blue-green algae.
- Folic acid: found in micro-algae, sprouts, leafy greens, and chlorophyll rich foods. Folic acid is destroyed when cooked.
- Vitamin B12: sublingual vitamin B12 or B complex (bacteria-derived).
- Royal Jelly: made by bees, this is a special kind of honey.