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Allergies and Your
Immune System
Why a healthy immune system is so
important to your fitness results – and how you can start building it now!
Too often I meet folks concerned about
building bigger muscles and a smaller waistline, all the while neglecting the
ultimate measure of their health - the strength of their immune system.
Addressing the habits required to build health from the “inside out” is
essential for getting the best results from your fitness program, warding off
illness and disease, and living a long, healthy life.
Immune System and Response
To achieve and maintain fitness results, our bodies must first be healthy. Vital
to health are the body’s defense mechanisms against illness and disease
called the immune system and immune response.
This system is the body's defense against infectious organisms and other
invaders. It is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work
together to protect the body from harmful organisms that cause illness
and disease.
Through a series of steps called the immune response the body recognizes
and defends itself against bacteria, viruses, and substances that appear foreign
and harmful to the body and cause disease.
Symptoms of Weakness
Being tired all the time, catching every cold or flu bug that comes along, and
dealing with nagging allergies are all common symptoms of a weak a system – and
often poor nutrition.
Because the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.) is so poor today, the average
American meal has little to no real nutritional value. Food processing and
manufacturing has made our food supply low in essential vitamins,
minerals, and antioxidants required for building a strong immune system.
Allergies and Immune Response
Allergies are classified as disorders of the immune system. When a
harmless substance such as dust, mold, or pollen is encountered by a person who
is allergic to that substance, the system may react dramatically, by producing
antibodies that "attack" the allergen (substances that produce allergic
reactions).
The result of an allergen entering a susceptible person's body may include
wheezing, itching, runny nose, and watery or itchy eyes, and other symptoms.
4 Keys to Immune Strength
Through both strengthening and balancing the immune system, better health
can be achieved and allergies can be reduced and/or eliminated.
There are several keys to strengthening one’s immune system, including:
1. Choose organic foods: Organic foods have more nutrients than processed
foods and provide more nutrients essential for health.
2. Eating fruits and veggies: Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables
provides a natural source of antioxidants and phytonutrients to keep the
body’s defense levels high.
3. Keeping the body alkaline: Maintaining alkaline blood ph levels
creates an internal environment where disease cannot survive.
4. Supplementation: Adding specific nutrients to the diet through
supplementation< delivers proven results for building a strong system.
Nutritional Supplementation
Supplementing a healthy diet has been proven to support the body in building
a strong immune system. Recommended nutrients include:
Vitamin C: Strong
antioxidant properties that protects the body against free radicals and
boosts the immune system to fight infection. Also a natural antihistamine.
Vitamin E: Powerful antioxidant
that boosts immune response and protects against cell damage.
Alfalfa: Contains large amounts
of chlorophyll, a natural antihistamine.
Garlic: A natural
decongestant and antibiotic shown to have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and
anti-viral properties.
Conclusion
Building a strong immune system is essential to not just achieving
fitness goals, but ultimately improving lifelong health. Through
nutrition and fitness, nagging symptoms can be reduced or eliminated completely.
Copyright: Hut Allred
New Wave Fitness, Inc.
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