The crisp air and chilly mornings are now upon us. The new season has arrived! For many, it’s the time of year when eyes get watery, noses get runny, and we resort to hot tea, cocoa, soup and many other things to keep up warm and make us feel better. Most of the time we cannot avoid certain germs, bacteria, viruses etc.; from entering out bodies and making us feel under the weather, but what can we do, is nourish and take care of ourselves the best way possible.
Our immune system is the body’s natural and only defense method against pathogens. It is made up of cells, tissues and organs that work together to protect the body. When it breaks down, we get sick. Every day, we encounter billions of germs, not all of them are bad but we still need to have a healthy immune system to protect us from those that are.
The first thing we can do is decide to live a healthy lifestyle. Every part of our body, including the immune system, functions better when taken care of through healthy lifestyle habits and adequate nutrition.
Potentially harmful molecules called free radicals are not only generated by the body when we exercise, but are also present in foods we eat as well as in the air we breathe. Anti-oxidants help fight oxidation, a normal chemical process that takes place in the body all the time. It can be accelerated by stress, smoking, alcohol, radiation and other factors. Anti-oxidants come in many forms, mainly vitamins and minerals, and they work together to help keep cells functioning properly.
Some of these important anti-oxidants include: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Carotenoids (Beta-carotene) Bioflavonoids, Selenium, and CoQ10 etc. These and many more are found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes (beans) and in some meats, fish and poultry. The best way to get an assortment of anti-oxidants in our diet is to eat foods that represent all the colors of the rainbow in balance, and complement the rest with nutritional supplements.
Aside from healthy eating habits, you can also implement lifestyle changes that can benefit you such as: not smoking, reducing stress, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, hydrating the body properly, getting a good amount of sleep, practicing good hygiene (frequently washing hands) and handling and cooking food appropriately.
Boosting our immune system isn’t just about taking care against colds and flus. Boosting the immune system is one of the best ways to protect ourselves from many other health concerns as well.
Herbalife products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease, however when taken in conjunction with a healthy and active lifestyle, they help to support immune health by providing an array of anti-oxidants and other beneficial nutrients. These can be found in the majority of the products especially in the Cellular Nutrition Core Products & the Targeted Nutrition Immune Health line. See more on www.goherbalife.com/ktoledo