Refined sugar, and all the other refined white stuff you come across, such as white flour, is the smartest stuff to let go of. Why - because it is a killer for the immune system. It drains your body from nutrients and minerals that would otherwise help you stay healthy and strong. So when you think that cookie is going to help get you up... it is going to get you down! Both in the short run (the burn and crash of sugar energy) and also in the long run. Research shows that many diseases and illnesses are connected to the system being overburdened by simple sugars and simple carbohydrates. Even premature aging has been linked to sugars and simple carbohydrates. When you say, "I don't eat a lot of sugar," look again at the ingredients of most packaged food. Omit foods that cause inflammation and mucus. This would be dairy (milk, cheese, ice-cream), simple sugars, white and refined flour products, and excess meat. Do note that dark bread can still be refined flour with color added to make you feel better about yourself. It needs to be whole grain to count... whole-wheat is not necessarily whole grain. Mucus-forming foods drain your energy, immune system, and cause inflammation in your lungs and airways; and as we all know - that is where the cold gets us and the flu resides.
By eating a lot of GREEN FOOD you will help cleanse and strengthen your lungs. The added bonus benefit is that green food is loaded with nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and anti-oxidants. Green food also helps by balancing the acid/alkaline balance, and is very cleansing for the body’s digestive system. Basically, green food is one food where more (in quantity) is more (in benefits). Cut down on caffeine - It drains your adrenal glands, which in turn wears you out, and you become more susceptible to colds. Get your sleep - Being tired runs you down, weakens your immune system, and it also means that your body is not getting the time it needs to rebuild it-self. Therefore, you are not just seeing the immediate tiredness, you are slowly deconstructing your health. Omit Stress - I am not going to suggest you can live without stress. This is 2005 after all. But DO find ways to DE-Stress. Prolonged stress is equal to a weakening of your immune system. Add immune boosting herbs such as:
If you are already ill with a cold:
Minerals that help are:
Eat foods that are high in anti-oxidants (fruit, vegetable, beans, legumes). Onion, garlic, and ginger are all great food supplements to help your health be strong. And do get your daily omega-3, from flax-seed, hemp-seed, or fish oil. Body/Mind Nourishment: Move, Breathe, Meditate, Get a Massage. It is all part of releasing tightness, detox, and nurture your body, mind, and soul. All are ways for you to come more alive... which DOES strengthen your immune system. All in all – taking care of yourself is a daily practice of awareness when making your choices. The quality of your daily choices is the quality of your daily life. It is the one thing you are in control of, what you put in your mouth and how you take care of you. This is what determines your daily energy level, mood, and strength of your immune system. In the long run, it is also the difference between getting ill or being well. This does not just mean a common cold or the flu, it can also mean the difference between much more severe issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
The PATH FOR LIFE self-nourishment center is now open in the Union Square area. We offer Functional Nutrition & Whole Body-Mind-Soul Nourishment. That means: Food and Whole-Health consultations, Integrative Massage Therapy,
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