It’s springtime, which means allergies are abundant and colds are being passed around. The most common thing to do, if we get sick, is to blame the sickness on other people. “I hugged John that one day, so that’s how I got sick,” you might be thinking. Trust us, it wasn’t John. The real reason for getting sick is usually due to a weakened immune system. If you are tired, stressed, or you overworked yourself, your immune system is not running at its optimum level. Once the sickness comes on, the most common thing to do is resort to medication or antibiotics. While antibiotics may provide temporary relief, they are not good for your immune system in the long run. What if we told you that you could avoid taking antibiotics altogether? That’s right! It just starts with maintaining a healthy diet.
Believe it or not, the food you eat can have the most negative effects on your immune system. Think of your body like a car: you want it to run smoothly. This requires you to consume foods that constantly benefit and strengthen your immune system. If you eat sugar (excluding the natural sugars in fruit), dairy products, rancid fats and oils like baked goods or chips, or drink alcohol, then you are harming your body. Eating these types of food forces your immune system to fight off the bad chemicals in them. This ultimately makes you sick.
If you maintain a healthy diet, you don’t have to resort to antibiotics. Before we get into food, water is crucial for properly functioning bodily systems. A good rule of thumb is to intake half your body weight in ounces of water per day. Ex: If you weigh 150lbs, you should consume about 75oz of water per day. Water will help your immune system fight off the viruses it encounters. Whole grains like buckwheat, quinoa, or oats provide your body with a high dose of fiber, which can help prevent intestinal infections. Fruits and vegetables are the best fuels for your immune system because they supply antioxidants, beta carotene, and vitamins and minerals. By putting these healthy foods in your body, you are promoting healthy bacteria. Inversely, processed or unhealthy foods distribute bad bacteria into the body. When you take antibiotics, they are designed to kill both good and bad bacteria. The antibiotics cannot recognize that good bacteria eliminates negative substances from the body. If you eat unhealthily, get sick, and take antibiotics, there will be an imbalanced ratio of bad bacteria to good bacteria. This means that your immune system can’t catch a break because it is constantly fighting off bad bacteria.
Sometimes it is absolutely necessary for antibiotics or medical intervention. If you can avoid polluting your body with antibiotics, though, isn’t that the optimal solution? Eating healthily is the best way to do that. We strongly recommend vegetarian, vegan, or raw food diets for the best health. If you happen to be a healthy eater and still get sick, however, we have a few suggestions to promote vitality and a healthy immune system. Raw honey helps fight infections, eating garlic can clear your sinuses, and apple cider vinegar is a probiotic and a disinfectant. A few other natural remedies to consider are coconut oil, which has anti-inflammatory properties, and fermented foods like kimchi or sauerkraut, which are beneficial for digestion. With these natural remedies and dietary tips, you can take control of your health and steer clear of antibiotics. Let us know if you have any natural cures that you use.
