Things that help or hurt our immune system

[vegmom]

I read this article the other day about meds and thought I'd share...A disclaimer that I'm anti-med as much as possible. But this is good info if you take them.

I have some friends doing everything in their power to be healthy but always seem to catch sick bugs. So when I saw this article I thought it was so cool to explain how medicines you can be taking could affect your ability to ward of the sick bugs.

I like that it says not to stop taking it and talk to your doctor, but then explains what can be depleted so you know if you need to ask your doc or research about supplements.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/nut...cal-drugs.html

Dr. Sears has a great article about Sugars, If you scroll to the middle it discusses how the bad sugars can harm and what that does to your immunity. Here is a snippit

"Excess sugar depresses immunity. Studies have shown that downing 75 to 100 grams of a sugar solution (about 20 teaspoons of sugar, or the amount that is contained in two average 12-ounce sodas) can suppress the body's immune responses. Simple sugars, including glucose, table sugar, fructose, and honey caused a fifty- percent drop in the ability of white blood cells to engulf bacteria"

www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T045000.asp

He also has a list of things to help boost the immune system.. even has my favorite, Garlic in there. :-)
Talks about the studies of Echinacea, and other ways to help boost the immune system or avoiding habits that decrease it

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/t042500.asp

Granted you can do everything right and still catch a bug, but nice to know that some can be avoided.

[ibtina]

I think yoga helps too!

[vegmom]

OOh, I've heard that :-)

[vegmom]

And sleep ....

[bydesign]

I'm a big believer in garlic. I also really need my sweet tooth extracted. However, I am a firm believer that what you are is what you eat. I really wish I could be more disciplined but unfortunately I'm just somewhere in the middle!