Immune Support: A Foundation in Healing
I am sitting at home resting and leaning into the resistance I feel. I woke up Tuesday with Strep Throat, body aches, chills, fatigue, and a cough… I usually feel it coming and catch it in time, but this time it appeared out of the blue and in fierce fashion. It is often in the midst of sickness and illness that we become aware of how valuable our health is. Moments like this remind me of something profound:
Your body’s default state is healing, it is always striving for balance.
Sickness and Illness are not failure, rather communication.
Our bodies are wise. They speak in symptoms and sensations.
They require care, rest, and nourishment. So today’s Embodied Wellness message comes to you directly from where I am; wrapped in blankets with herbal tea, a hot pack as I support my body back into balance.
Your Health Is Your Greatest Asset
Most of us don’t fully recognize the value of our health until something disrupts it.
An illness, a flare, an imbalance, a moment where the body whispers:
“I need you to pay attention.”
One of my greatest passions is helping you reconnect to your body and value your health before it reaches a point of depletion. This is the essence of preventive care — the foundation of Embodied Wellness. We’re in the heart of “flu season,” which makes this the perfect moment to focus on ways to strengthen your immune system and take aligned, supportive action.
Your immune system is your internal healing architecture; your body’s frontline for repair, protection, and vitality.
The Female Immune System: What Women Need to Know
I am ovulating and so the timing of this sickness does not surprise me given all that I have been holding for the past few months being the full time caregiver for my mom. Here is something important I want you to know, especially as a woman: our immune system strength fluctuates throughout our cycle.
During menstruation our immune strength decreases by 80%. During ovulation, our immune system decreases 40%.
This is why women experience:
• more chronic illness
• more autoimmune conditions
• more cyclical flares
• more fatigue and inflammation
• more vulnerability to viruses during certain phases
When we work support our bodies instead of push them, everything shifts. Your nutrition, hydration, and lifestyle are all key aspects that impact your health and body's ability to heal.
Foods to Avoid when Experiencing Symptoms or Illness:
These foods are health hindering, especially when you have a high pathogenic load in your body. They feed pathogens, thus strengthening them and perpetuating symptoms, conditions, and/or illness.
Eggs — one of the top foods that feeds pathogens and contributes to the progression of symptoms, conditions, and illness. Eggs contain a high fat content which prevents cleansing and clogs the lymphatic system.
Dairy — feeds pathogens that cause health symptoms, conditions, and illnesses. It also creates acidity in the body which is the ideal environment in which pathogens thrive.
Gluten — feeds Streptococcus bacteria and other viruses, promotes inflammation, and can cause digestive distress.
Immune Supporting Foods:
These foods are health promoting and create an alkaline environment in the body, one that inhibits the survival of pathogens. These foods also possess cleansing and immune enhancing properties making them ideal to incorporate into your life daily.
Fruit — the most healing food on the planet that fortifies the immune system and alkalizes the body. Fruits are incredibly healing, cleansing, and detoxifying. A nonnegotiable if you want to heal and prevent symptoms, conditions, and or illness.
Garlic — a powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral that strengthens the immune system, and prevents the proliferation of pathogens. It also contains anti-mucus properties
Leafy Greens — contain the most bioavailable and assimilable form of protein, they are rich in antioxidants and help remove toxins from the liver and lymphatic system.
Veggies — veggies are powerful detoxifiers, they contain essential minerals and nutrients that nourish the body on a cellular level and provide support for the systems of the body.
Onions — antiviral and antibacterial they defend the body against pathogens and work to destroy and eliminate the pathogens.
Immune Supporting Hydration
Lemon Water —helps to detoxify the liver, cleanse the lymphatic system, flush pathogens out of the body, and hydrate the body on a cellular level. Lemon water alkalizes the body creating an unfavorable environment for pathogens to thrive while also strengthening the immune system.
Celery Juice — antiviral and antibacterial it supports the elimination of pathogens, strengthens the immune system, and cleanses the lymph and liver. This is the ultimate immune support.
Coconut Water is incredibly hydrating and supports the adrenals
Immune Strengthening Supplements:
Supplements are essential and can make the difference between health and illness as they provide critical nutrients we may not otherwise obtain from our diet. The below supplements will fortify your immune system and provide a myriad of other benefits for your body!
Cat's Claw — a powerful anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial herb that supports the body’s immune system. It is one of the most powerful defenders against Strep bacteria.
L-Lysine — one of the most powerful antivirals that supports the inhibits the propagation of viruses and minimizes viral load. It possesses anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties, making it an essential supplement to incorporate into your daily rituals + routines.
Vitamin C — a potent antioxidant that counteracts the oxidative stress that results from stress. Vitamin C fortifies the immune system and supports the body’s cleansing processes, which is essential to eliminate pathogens.
Zinc — an essential nutrient that our bodies don’t make on their own that we need to get from food and in supplemental form. Zinc strengthens the immune system, neutralizes pathogens, and promotes healing. Zinc deficiencies can be at the root of many illnesses and symptoms.
Prevention is key. But when you come down with something, how you nourish yourself influences the intensity, duration, and symptoms of the illness. That is why I am devoted to sharing the truths, tools, and techniques that have supported me in reversing sickness and accelerating my healing.
