HEALTHY LIFESTYLE ARTICLE

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Stay Healthy this Holiday Season!

Winter is upon us, and the time has come to pull out the warm fuzzy sweaters and cozy blankets. Unfortunately, the change of seasons is also the time that many of us end up sick with a cold or flu. Sometimes our immune system just isn't prepared for the chillier air and the stress of the holiday season upon us. But there are some precautions you can take to keep from getting sick this season.

First, let's talk about how our immune system works. The immune system is housed throughout the body in structures called lymphoid organs. These organs contain the lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that are key players in immunity. These cells travel through the bloodstream and lymphatic vessels monitoring the body for invading microbes. Lymphocytes have an amazing ability to distinguish “self” cells from “other” cells in order to protect the body. There are millions of different types of immune cells, all specialized against different types of invaders. Depending on where and what type of foreign substance is detected, cells make different antibodies that attack the substance and destroy it. Occasionally a virus or bacteria is able to sneak it's way into our bodies and reproduce before our immune cells take notice of it. Bacteria reproduce very quickly and are able to sustain themselves within our bodies on their own. A virus, on the other hand, is only a fragment of DNA with a protective coat around it. Therefore, it must attach and invade a living cell, using our own cell's DNA to reproduce. Eventually this hijacked cell bursts and dies, freeing the new virus particle.

So how can we keep these particles from invading our bodies and making us sick?? Here are some great tips for keeping your immune system healthy this winter:

• Stay warm when it is cold outside, but still get some fresh air. Even if it is only for a short time, the cold air is refreshing and stimulates the thyroid gland.
  
• Drink plenty of water: 6-8 glasses a day is ideal.
• Get a full night's sleep. The best hours for rejuvenating your adrenal glands (which play a big part in keeping your healthy and energized) are between 10 PM and 12 AM, so getting to bed around 10 is ideal.
• Keep a regular exercise routine of at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
• Coffee is another big adrenal drain. True it is loaded with antioxidants, which studies say are beneficial, but the caffeine in large amounts can really wear you down and can even be addictive. Just remember that more is not better, and stick with 1 cup a day.
• It is the time of year when our bodies crave richer, heavier foods, but making an effort to stay away from white sugar and flour can also help you stay healthier.
• Make sure to get plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet because they are loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. Another way to get lots of vitamins and minerals to help your cells work optimally is to take a good quality multivitamin.
• Another important aspect of staying healthy is de-stressing. Take a couple of hours for yourself: meditate, take a bath, do some yoga, get a massage, or anything that makes you feel relaxed and happy. If your body is so busy being stressed, it has a hard time fighting off germs too!
  

Everyone's heard of Echinacea for boosting the immune system, but there are many other supplements that can keep you from getting sick, or at least help you get better faster.

Here are some of my tried and true favorites:

New Chapter Host Defense:
A blend of organic mushrooms that not only boosts the immune system but also provides a natural source of antibiotics. This is a great thing to take before getting on a plane, when you've been exposed to someone who is sick, or just feel a bit under the weather. They also make a “Host Defense” throat spray.

New Chapter Blockade:
This is a great-tasting elderberry lozenge designed to block viruses from being able to enter your cells, where they need to be in order to reproduce.

New Chapter Sinus and Respiratory:
A potent blend of immune-boosting herbs in a softgel-garlic, oregano, Echinacea, elderberry, goldenseal, astragalus, green tea, and more. If you don't catch the bug in time to ward it off, this amazing supplement will help you get over it quickly!

Boiron Oscillococcinum:
A homeopathic supplement that is amazing for flu (not cold!) symptoms- fever, chills, and body aches and pains. Homeopathy is great because it has no side effects and is safe to take with other medications. If you take this when you first feel the symptoms, chances are good that you won't get sick. And if you do get sick it can alleviate the duration of the illness.

Honey Gardens Apiaries Propolis Spray:
This is an amazing spray made with raw honey and herbs. Propolis is a resinous substance made by bees that reduces swelling and inflammation and inhibits bacterial growth. It tastes pretty horrible but always does wonders for sore throats and can even be used topically as a wound wash.

Neti Pot:
This is an amazing practice that originated in India for cleansing the nasal passages. It involves pouring warm salt water from a small pot into your nose to rinse and cleanse the nasal passages and sinuses of bacteria, viruses, mucus, pollen, and other allergens. It is great for chronic sinus problems on a daily basis or when you are congested from a cold. Himalayan Institute also makes a product called “Neti Wash Plus” that contains zinc and herbal extracts that can be added to the neti pot for an extra cleansing boost.