Monday, May 3, 2010

How to boost your immune system

Did you know that 80% of your immune system is in your gut?

This information is especially concerning to those of us who suffer with celiac disease. Celiac disease or gluten sensitivities can cause many problems with your digestive tract and in turn cause problems with the immune system. The key to a healthy digestive tract and robust immune system is to make sure that you have the good bacteria in the gut. Eating foods that are highly processed and deprived of nutrients are hard on the stomach and allow for the bad bacteria to take over. Getting the good flora in the intestines can dramatically affect your immune system. Helpful bacteria prevent the growth of less desirable bacteria and aid in digestion and nutrient absorption. This is why it is so important to keep the right balance of bacteria in the gut to support the immune system.
Some main food sources of health enhancing bacteria are yogurt, keifer, sauerkraut, miso and kombucha. You can also find a good pro-biotic at your local health food store. Living with Celiac disease can impare the immune system and cause a host of other problems. It is vitally important to keep a strong immune system, after all this is our defense against all disease! Some herbs that can also help to boost the immune system are;
echinachea, garlic, angelica, borage, and wild yam.

Best wishes in health and vitality,
Heidi

This article is not meant to cure any disease