Are You Immune?

The fall and winter seasons usually indicate a number of changes that can directly affect our immunity. With the shorter days, less vitamin D is manufactured to strengthen the immune system and with our climate in Canada it also means colder weather, which encourages longer hours spent indoors. Not only does this mean less direct skin contact with the sunshine, it also means that we are breathing in poor quality air, which is often dry and filled with germs. Combine this with our hibernating habits and we create an opportunity for infections to zero in on us.

Our immune system is designed to protect the body from foreign invaders. Whether these invaders are viral, bacterial or fungal in nature, the immune system was created to swiftly defend our body and get rid of any invaders that threaten it.

The way we take care of our immune system is entirely up to us and varies from person to person. That’s why certain people at a party, for instance, avoid contracting a cold or the flu-bug while another person spends the next few days in bed. Protecting and strengthening our immune system is essential to staying healthy. Here are a few factors to consider.

Exercise is considered by some to be one of the best ways to build a strong immune system. During moderate exercise our immune cells are able to travel efficiently throughout our body killing dangerous invaders. Another health benefit of exercise is the detoxifying effect; we eliminate many unwanted toxins through our sweat. Exercise also encourages sleep, which repairs, restores and rebuilds. And for optimal immune health, getting seven to eight hours of regularly scheduled sleep, particularly during the colder months, is very important.

The foods we eat also have an incredibly powerful effect on our immune system. We either ingest foods that are good for us or foods that are not so good for us. Our immune system relies on nutrients for its protective performance, so when it becomes nutrient depleted, it is unable to maintain a high level of protection. Because our body was designed to consume fuel that is biochemically compatible with this design, we need to be proactive in making health-promoting choices that strengthen and support our immune system. Our diets should be comprised of living, breathing foods as we are a living, breathing organism. Eating lots of fresh vegetables and fruits, rich whole grains, raw nuts and seeds, unprocessed oils and fats, drug-free and free-range eggs and meats, while reducing the amount of packaged and processed foods we consume, will help enhance our immune system.

Stress is another factor that can have significant affects on our immune system. Although stressors are a natural part of every day life, it is how we deal with these stressors that will ultimately bring health or harm to our immunity and us. Our thought process alone can either help or hinder our immune system. By thinking and reacting in toxic ways, we allow adrenaline and cortisol to race unimpeded through our body, compromising our immune system and increasing our susceptibility to infection and disease. It’s important to detoxify our unhealthy thoughts and emotions and replace them with positive thoughts and emotions to help deal with everyday stress and enjoy a healthy immune system.

Supplementing with the AIM products can make a tremendous difference in enhancing, strengthening and protecting our immune system as well. Proancynol® 2000 is loaded with powerful, free-radical-fighting antioxidants, AIM Bear Paw Garlic® displays antioxidant activity, AIM FloraFood® is loaded with friendly bacteria which helps our digestive tract, AIM’s Garden Trio ® products can provide us with the extra nutrition we need and bathing in Cell Wellness Restorer™ can help reduce stress and give us the benefits of a mineral spa. These are just a few of the AIM products that can help build up our immune system.

To learn more about which AIM products can help build a strong immune system, please visit My AIM Store website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com where you can read more, view the FAQ’s, download a datasheet and even watch a video.

Are you immune?

Fermented Foods

When we think of the word “fermentation” the first thing that usually pops into mind are images of beer and wine. However, fermented nutrients are also important for good health.

Fermentation has been an important part of food preparation for centuries and numerous medical and scientific studies are confirming what folklore has always known. Fermented foods can help us stay healthy.

Fermented foods are traditionally consumed by many societies throughout the world. A standard condiment in Japan is pickled ginger while kimchi, miso, tempeh and natto are consumed in East Asia. Europe and Scandinavian countries enjoy fermented dairy products such as cheese and yoghurt, while fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut are enjoyed in Eastern Europe. Even North American condiments such as mustard and relish contain fermented ingredients.

Fermentation is a natural process, which produces easily digestible foods rich in nutritional value. A natural part of the digestive process, fermentation uses the bacteria in your gut to break down food into an easily absorbed form, allowing it to “predigest” which aids our digestive tract and offers friendly bacteria to help keep our immune systems strong while supporting our overall digestive health.

Fermented foods contain several thousand probiotic cells that produce numerous enzymes, which help to promote the growth of healthy flora all through the gastrointestinal tract. Known as lactobacilli, friendly bacteria thrive in fermented foods and not only aid in digestion but also help support the body’s immune system. During the cold and flu season, probiotics are particularly important if we get sick or need to take antibiotics.

There are a wide variety of fermented foods available to supplement our daily diet. Some of these include: aged and blue cheeses, kefir, olives, pickles, sauerkraut, sourdough bread and yoghurt to name a few, as well as the one mentioned above.

Because many of the fermented foods on the market today are not true fermented foods (created to maximize profits and shelf life) it is important that we look for and eat foods that are fermented with ‘live’ or ‘active’ cultures. Look for unpasteurized and fresh fermented foods in the refrigerator section of your grocery store or health food store and be cautious of the salt content. Some sauerkraut for instance has a very high sodium content.

Most people do not consume a variety of fermented foods as often as needed to maintain a healthy digestive system, so supplementing with a superior nutritional supplement such as AIM FloraFood® may be necessary. To learn how AIM FloraFood® can help maintain digestive health please visit My AIM Store website at http://awealthofhealth.myaimstore.com where you can read more, view the FAQ’s, download a datasheet and even watch a video.

For a healthy gut and a healthy body, consuming fermented foods can help.