Thursday, April 22, 2010

Boost Immunity with Four Natural Foods and Supplements




By: Elizabeth Walling, citizen journalist

(NaturalNews) Far from images of hand sanitizer and face masks, real protection from modern disease and illness happens from the inside out. Building a strong immune system is one of the most important steps in preventing the spread of modern illness. The best way to improve your immunity is through natural foods and supplements like these:

Vitamin D

An important regulator in immune response, vitamin D is a key factor in maintaining strong immunity. The properties of vitamin D activate the body's natural defense against pathogens and viruses, triggering the proper response when the body is exposed to a harmful microorganism.

Natural food sources for vitamin D include egg yolk, Atlantic herring, shrimp and other types of seafood. However, vitamin D supplementation is generally recommended in addition to a healthy diet. Ideally you should supplement with a source like fermented cod liver oil, which is a highly concentrated source of natural vitamin D. Otherwise, a high-quality vitamin D3 supplement is the next best choice.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains important fatty acids, like lauric acid, which are used by the body to manufacture specialized antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral substances. Coconut oil is such a ready source of these valuable nutrients; it should be included in the diet of anyone with the goal of improving their immunity. Extra virgin coconut oil is unrefined and will retain the most natural benefits. You can also include foods like unsweetened dried coconut or coconut milk to access these important fatty acids.

Read the full article here.

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