Improving Your Immune Health:  
Ways to Strengthen Your Immune System 
 The Center For Immune Research

 At a time when people are exposed to more than 200 different cold viruses, several strains of the flu, and hosts of allergens, having a healthy immune system is more important than ever before. Still, modern life constantly challenges immune function, which is why public health officials offer this important advice: don’t take your immune system for granted.What can you do to ensure that your immune system is healthy and ready to shield your body from infection? 

Here is what you need to know:

1. Find Ways to Relax
Because stress produces many different effects on the endocrine systems, including the well-known “fight or flight” response, scientists hypothesize that your immune system may become weakened after frequent activation of the autonomic nervous system in the case of chronic stresses. There are a number of techniques to help you relax, such as deep breathing or yoga, which can reduce mental and physical stress, tension and anxiety, promote good sleep, lower blood pressure and slow down your heart rate. Listening to music also reduces stress and relieves anxiety, as does relaxing in a hot bath.

2. Sleep Matters.
Besides leaving you feeling sluggish, irritable, and forgetful, not getting enough sleep can reduce the effectiveness of your immune system by up to 50 percent. This is because sleep time is when the body and immune system do most of its repairs and rejuvenation. Strive to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Remember rest and relaxation go hand in hand.

3. Feed Your Immune System Well.
According to a number of studies, not getting enough nutrients in the diet can weaken the immune system. That is why nutritionists recommend a -well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and whole grains. Of special importance are foods that are rich in antioxidants (like vitamins C, E, beta carotene and lycopene), omega-3 fatty acids, and folate. Antioxidants fight and neutralize free radicals, which are molecules that damage cells and cause heart disease, cancer and premature aging. Omega-3 fatty acids (a polyunsaturated fat) have anti-inflammatory,
cardiovascular-enhancing and immune-regulating properties while folate prevents age-related cognitive decline, damage to blood vessels and brain cells.

4. Get Physically Active
Being physically active -- which means walking, climbing stairs, dancing, and other activity that involves movement -- strengthens your immune system, cardiovascular system, heart, muscles and bones. Being active also stimulates the release of endorphins, improves mental functioning, concentration/attention and cognitive performance, and lowers cholesterol, blood pressure, cortisol and other stress hormones.

5. Lose Weight in a Healthy Way
If you are overweight, losing weight is a healthy thing to do. But research finds that a rapid weight loss of more than 2 pounds a week can have negative immune effects. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), successful weight loss is typically losing about 10 percent of your body weight in six months. Towards this end, experts recommend losing about ¾ to 2 pounds per week and not more than 3 pounds per week (weight loss may be faster at the start of a program). When it comes to successful weight loss and weight management, steady and slow is the way to go.

6. Wash Your Hands
One of the best ways to prevent the spread of microorganisms that cause infections is good hand hygiene. Washing your hands with soap and water several times per day and always before you eat greatly reduces your exposure to bacteria and viruses. In case you cannot wash with soap and water when you are away from home, carry some alcohol-based hand wipes with you to control microbial exposure and transmission.

7. Don’t Get Too Much Sun
Unprotected sun exposure is linked with immune suppression. That is why cold sores often appear following time spent in the sun. To protect your immune system, always wear a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.

8. Take Advantage of Immune-Supporting Supplementation
A balanced diet containing fruits, vegetables and whole grains is important to keep the immune system functioning effectively. But many Americans have nutritionally deficient diets, which is why it is now possible to take supplements containing herbs that have immunoactive properties. This means the herbs work in combination to naturally increase the body’s production of interferon, the protein that triggers the body’s immune system to mount an immune response.

Some of the botanicals with these immune-boosting properties are pumpkin seed extract, plantago seed, safflower flower, and Japanese honeysuckle flower buds.

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As shared above by the  Center For Immune Research there are a many ways we can be proactive in protecting and building up our immune system. The Challenge is that every day our bodies are under attack by pathogens and dangerous microbes that infest our surroundings with an unseen, unfelt, yet  undeniable health threat.  Our body's built-in immune system protects us whenever possible, but it's under contact attack from poor nutrition, stress, pollution, and fatigue.  

The GREAT news is that research has proven, consuming the combination of botanicals:  pumpkin seed extract, plantago seeds, safflower flower, and Japanese honeysuckle, you can increase the 3 types of interferon and naturally boost the body's immune system.  So how do you get the right amount of those botanicals?  In Shaklee's NutriFeron!  NutriFeron is the only immunity supplement formulated, patented and guaranteed to offer natural nutritional support to activate your immune system naturally.

Taking Shaklee's NutriFeron daily will:

Strengthen your immune system and help fend off attacks

Balance your immune response against environmental pollutants

Prepare your immune system to better handle invaders

Educates healthy cells about a present or potential danger in your body & helps to activate a plan of action

The ingredients in NutriFeron have been proven to fight the flu naturally

Get started today! It only takes 2 NutriFeron caplets daily to boost your immune system- naturally

Be well~

      Herbal Formulas:  How Herbs Work:

From the earliest times, herbs have been prized for their pain-relieving and healing abilities and today we still rely on the curative properties of plants in about 75% of our medicines.

The variety and sheer number of plants with therapeutic properties are quite astonishing.  It is estimated that around 70,000+ plant species, from lichens to towering trees, have been used at one time or another for medical purposes.

Herbs, which have always been the principal form of medicine in developing counties, are once again becoming popular throughout the developed world, as people strive to stay healthy in the face of chronic stress, pollution, and to treat illness with medicines that work in concert with the body's own defenses.

Here are some Did You Know Facts? About herbs:

• •Herbs are classified as plants valued for flavor, scent, or other qualities. Any portion of the plant may be considered an “herb,” including leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, resin, root, bark, inner bark, berries, and other plant parts. Herbs are often referred to as Botanicals.

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• •Herbs have been used for several thousand years and have been used to help combat illnesses from minor coughs & colds to life-threatening diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria.

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• •Herbs are NOT drugs; in fact, they work very differently in the body.  Herbs are foundation nutrients working through the glands, and nourishing the body’s most basic elements.

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• •Herbs are powerful nutritional agents and work better in combination of two or more complimentary botanicals.

• •Herbal combinations are not habit-forming.

 As much as herbal combinations offer fantastic health benefits, there are those individual herbal ingredients and products that have been proven to cause harm.  Certain herbs can have adverse effects ranging from nausea and vomiting to life-threatening conditions like liver or kidney dysfunction.  For example, in 2002 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a warning about potential liver damage from kava root, then on of the 10 most popular herbal supplements sold in the U.S. And in 2004 the FDA banned ephedra, a Chinese wight-loss herb, after if was linked to more than 100 deaths.  Equally troubling, some supplements and herbal products may be contaminated with dangerous heavy metals, including lead and mercury.  Yikes!

Be sure that the herbs you consume are from a reputable company that offers clinical proof, and 100% guarantee that their products are tested and safe.

What herbal products do I recommend to my customers, my family and friends?  Shaklee Company offers products that I trust to be safe, clinically proven to work with at 100% guarantee.

Over the next several weeks, I will be identifying specific herbs and herbal combinations from Alfalfa to Valerian and offering tips of how herbs can increase your energy to helping get a restful nights sleep.
Be well~  


 

 
 Yes its true, the Holidays are just around the corner!

It's almost Winter and the official start of the Holiday Season-my favorite time of year!  This may also be the time of year when life gets more stressful with emotional highs and lows, stress to our bodies from our diets, and stress from environmental toxins.

Yikes! it's enough to make some of us feel increased stress or even older than we really are!  Well, don't let the holidays give you stress or age you! 

Here are a few tips to help you get thru the holidays stress free & gracefully!

Eat Healthy (you knew I would say that!)
It’s actually been proven that junk food can make us depressed (not to mention unhealthy) so clean up your diet! Healthy foods like whole grains and protein can improve your mood and give you long-lasting energy to tackle everything that comes your way during the day. Start your day with a healthy breakfast like a quick & delicious Shaklee shake! and be sure to make healthy meal and snack choices all day long. Foods that are especially effective for stress-busting include blueberries, salmon, dark chocolate, spinach, oranges, and almonds, according to the experts.

Get/Give A Massage! Who doesn't love a massage?  Did you know that massage has been used as a stress reliever for thousands of years? Historically, the Chinese used massage to open blocked energy channels in order to improve health. Today, massage is used to relax tense muscles, reduce pain, improve circulation, repair the body, and reduce stress, which can all do wonders for the mind. Giving & receiving a massage from your loved one can also allow you time to talk thru your stress and help build a healthy relationship too.

Meditate
Meditation, or mindfulness, only takes 15 to 30 minutes a day, which is possible even in a packed schedule. It’s also incredibly affordable, considering the only tool you need is your own mind. Just give yourself some silent time to let your thoughts run free, use for prayer time, or just focus on your breathing. That small amount of peace in your day can help you deal with or even release stress.

Exercise
Whether it’s yoga, Pilates, running, or whatever exercise you choose, exercise works much in the same way as meditation because it gives you the time to be alone with your thoughts (or an opportunity to let them go). However, exercise also has the added benefit of releasing endorphins into the brain, which improves your mood. It also prevents obesity and other health problems, giving you less to be stressed about.  Don't wait for that gym membership gift, Get up & Get going today!

Breathe-Deeply
Deep breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. This is because when you breathe deeply it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. The brain then sends this message to your body. Those things that happen when you are stressed, such as increased heart rate, fast breathing, and high blood pressure, all decrease as you breathe deeply to relax. For more benefits & how to deep breathe, use the following link:   http://www.webmd.com/balance/video/farrell-relaxation-breathing

Get Organized
Organization offers a sense of control and peace of mind, and there’s a number of ways you can improve in this regard. If you’re the kind of person who’s always running around, it can help to make lists so that you remember everything and ease the mind. If you’re the kind of person who feels edgy in their own house, tidy up. Studies have shown the mere sight of clutter can put us on edge. Not sure where to start? Seek out your organized friend-they'll be glad to help!

Sleep Sleep is the most important natural stress reducer of them all. Too little sleep leaves us cranky, irritable and on edge. Too much sleep can leave us sluggish and depressed. Try to find the right balance that allows you to feel well-rested and ready for the day. Promote better sleep by establishing bedtime rituals that signal to your brain that it’s time to fall asleep, avoid exercise in the three hours before sleep or take a warm bath. Certain foods can also promote sleep, such as healthy carbohydrates, bananas, peanuts, figs, calcium and - of course, a certain holiday favorite - turkey. Also, avoid having a large meal or caffeine close to bedtime, as they may create unwanted stress.  Looking for a natural means of getting those zzzz's?  Check out Shaklee's Gentle Sleep Complex.

 Need a Natural Stress Reliever...NOW?  

Help is on the way!

Stress Relief Complex

It's shocking but the Center for Disease Control estimates that 75-90% of trips to the doctor's office are stress related.  Nearly half of all American experience stress every single day. 

Shaklee's Stress Relief Complex offers nutritional support to help you quickly relax and stay calm without drowsiness & non-addicting. 

In a preliminary, seven day, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted by Shaklee, significantly more people taking Stress Relief Complex* experienced benefits in every category measured, over those who consumed a placebo. These benefits included: being more relaxed, being more alert, feeling less tense, and having better concentration.

 Some health benefits of Shaklee's Stress Relief Complex include:

• Offers quick relief from tension
• Increases your ability to concentrate during stress
• Helps blunt cortisol, the stress hormone, which aids in weight loss
• Enhances the body's ability to adapt to continuing stress
• Maximizes peak mental and athletic performance
• Helps combat depression/moodiness
• Lowers blood pressure
• Works within 30 minutes
• Contains NO Kava (which can cause severe liver damage)
• Absolutely SAFE-No side effects!

 If you want these health benefits, just add  Stress Relief Complex #20656 to your daily supplement regimen.

Be well & enjoy the Holiday Season-stressless!