Actually, all real natural food helps your immune system. Unfortunately, a whopping eighty percent of all available food is junk.
What Is Junk Food?
Foods that contain additives to make you crave them, those that have little to no nutritional value, and those that contain toxins are all junk. You need to steer clear of these foods if you want to support your immune system.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG).
MSG is a flavor enhancer and a brain toxin that is addictive and harmful. MSG is a traditional ingredient in Asian cooking.
Essentially, all “fast food” restaurants and Asian restaurants add monosodium glutamate. But restaurants are not the only place you will find MSG. It is also in many canned soups!
And although the FDA requires that MSG be listed in the ingredient panel on food packaging, MSG also occurs naturally in ingredients such as hydrolyzed vegetable protein, autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed yeast, yeast extract, soy extracts, and protein isolate.
Sugar.
Sugar is the original NON-FOOD. It is in virtually every boxed cereal. Which means most boxed cereals are JUNK.
Toxins.
Toxins are prevalent in our food supply. Roundup (glyphosate) is one of the worst poisons on earth! And it has poisoned our rainwater. Seventy-five percent of the air and rain in the US has glyphosate in it. This means ALL crops that have received rain have been exposed to Roundup. And, yes, this includes those labeled organic. (More on this below.)
Wheat.
Although wheat was once called the staff of life, all wheat is now the greatest food hazard. Its hazard lies in the fact that it is loaded with more Roundup than any other food!
So where can you find foods that help your immune system?
We would like to be able to tell you that it is easy to find these foods. However, it may not be as simple as shopping in the outer aisles of your favorite grocery store.
You may already know that all the food in the center aisles is largely non-food with artificial chemicals, added sugar, etc. The food in the outer aisles of grocery stores is typically real food.
And if you know how to shop for real food, you may also buy organic foods. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that any food is organic – at least not from an ethical standpoint. When you remember that 75% of all the air and rain in the US has Roundup in it, you can see why we make the statement. In fact, the only way for food to be 100% organic is if it is grown in a greenhouse with filtered air and water.
Another problem with our real food supply is that most land in this country is deficient in magnesium. This was originally pointed out in the seventies by Ross Hume Hall in FOOD FOR NOUGHT. So even the natural foods are not as healthy as they could be if adequate magnesium was in the soil and without rained on Roundup!
Despite the problems with our food supply, there are foods that can help your immune system more than others.
The best natural foods for immune health are foods grown without pesticides or weed killers. That is they are organic. And some of the best foods you can choose to consume include:
- Almonds
- Apples
- Berries such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries
- Barley
- Beans
- Beef
- Black tea
- Brazil nuts
- Broccoli
- Chickpeas
- Chives
- Clams
- Eggs
- Fish
- Garlic
- Grapefruit
- Kale
- Kefir
- Mushrooms
- Oats
- Onions
- Oranges
- Oysters
- Pears
- Peaches
- Pomegranate
- Salmon
- Spinach
- Tangerines
- Plain yogurt
Fruits and Vegetables.
You probably noticed that the list predominately contains fruits and vegetables. That is because fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants.
Overall you need at least 5 servings of veggies and fruits daily. The average American gets 2.2!!!
If you are not going to chow down on veggies and fruits, at least get these ESSENTIAL immune enhancers in the concentrates listed next! Just 2 tablespoons of tart cherry juice concentrate provide 3.5 servings. And of course, Orac-Energy Greens provides 6 servings in a small scoop.
Anthocyanins.
One of the most powerful groups of antioxidants is anthocyanins. Anthocyanins make natural foods appear blue, purple, and red. Think blueberries, eggplants, blackberries, and cherries.
Research is ongoing, but many consider foods containing anthocyanins to be “superfoods” because they have been linked to increased longevity, cardiovascular health, cancer prevention and dementia.
Vitamin C and Vitamin E.
Other helpful and powerful antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables are vitamin C and vitamin E.
Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and it is key for a strong immune system. It is also necessary for healthy skin and eyes.
Research has shown that Vitamin C strengthens your body’s immune system. In addition, it has been shown to lower high blood pressure, may reduce your risk of heart disease, reduce your risk of gout, protect against memory and thinking disorders, and reduces your risk of iron deficiency.
Iron.
And speaking of iron, did you know that green veggies are also provide iron? Iron is essential not only for immune system health, but also for general energy and focus, regulation of body temperature and digestion.
Natural Meats.
Natural meats are those that do not contain any additives or preservatives after the meat was processed. They are an excellent source of zinc and amino acids.
Zinc.
Zinc is an essential nutrient and helps to keep your immune system strong. It is necessary for the development and function of immune cells.
In addition to helping your immune system, zinc aids in metabolism, wound healing, skin health and the proper functioning of your senses of taste and smell.
B Vitamins.
B vitamins play a critical role in maintaining a healthy immune system and general well-being. Pork tenderloin is an excellent source of B and nothing beats liver for B 12. Eggs are also a great source of energy and of B vitamins.
Intestinal Health Supports Your Immune System.
Did you know more than 75% of your immune system is actually in your gut? The microbes in your gut not only promote normal GI function, they protect your body from infection and regulate your metabolism and the mucosal immune system.
All high fiber foods are excellent for your intestinal health. High fiber foods are whole grains like barley and oatmeal, fruits and vegetables.
There is no fiber in meat or sugar or dairy. However, the probiotics in plain yogurt and kefir are also good for intestinal health.
How To Improve Your Access To Foods That Support Your Immune System.
The number one essential for life is air. Number two is water without fluoride! The third is food—natural protein and essential fats, with adequate immune-enhancing foods—vegetables, fruits, nuts and meats.
I, Norm Shealy, have lived on a farm for most of my 88 years. I began gardening from age 12 to 16. After I finished my training, I resumed it at age 36. I have managed to raise a majority of my family’s vegetables and a few fruits. I enjoy gardening more than any other hobby.
Seventy-seven percent of Americans live in homes, which means they have lawns. It takes far less work to maintain a vegetable garden than a lawn. If people grew their own vegetables and fruits instead of lawns, they would have far less work, far better nutrition and overall health! In general, canning and freezing are less damaging than the commercial food industry.
Only about 2 to 4 hours a week of physical activity each week from March through September, outside, getting sunlight and producing mainly healthy immune-enhancing vegetables and delicious fruits. Is anything more important than a job to support you and your family?
Admittedly, all fast-food restaurants could close, all manufacturers of junk and poisoned food could go out of business and our overall health would be greatly improved. Our immune system would flourish. This is as close to paradise as one can imagine.
Add at least half an hour daily of Autogenic Training to manage outside stress and our health would improve to allow us to reach our genetic potential of at least 100 natural years of health.
Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D. is the father of holistic medicine. Dr. Sergey Sorin is a holistic physician as well as the CEO and medical director of the Shealy-Sorin Wellness Institute. Both doctors recommend autogenic focus (the basis of the Biogenics System) as part of your overall commitment to self-health and enhancing your positivity.