Immune boosters - sleep

Adequate sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle and can benefit your body and mind. Experts say that not only does prolonged sleep deprivation wear down immune protection but getting adequate rest can help boost your defenses.

Your body may need anywhere from 6 to 10 hours of sleep each night. Sleep has been linked to balanced hormone levels (including human growth hormone and the stress hormone, cortisol), keeping weight down, clear thinking and reasoning, improved mood, and vibrant, healthy skin.    

 "We don't know the exact mechanism by which sleep impacts immunity, but we do know that a lack of it prevents the body from repairing cells. And when we skip that important physiological step, we get sick more easily," says Tierno.

To help give your immune system an extra boost during cold and flu season, Charnetski says get seven to eight hours of sleep a night. And if you can't sleep … try a little "immune sex therapy." Charnetski says that having sex gives immunity a healthy boost of IGA (a protein from the immune system that helps fight infections), which plays a critical role in keeping pathogens from entering your body -- and capturing those that do sneak in.

In studies of humans and other animals, scientists have discovered that sleep plays a critical role in immune function, metabolism, memory, learning, and other vital functions. Researchers looked at how lack of sleep may affect the immune system. Chronic sleeplessness may harm the immune system, since lack of sleep is linked to an increase in cytokine molecules that control immune response.
The resulting inflammation and changes in blood chemistry may be behind a variety of diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and neurological conditions.
"The foundations of good health are good diet, good exercise and good sleep, but two out of three doesn't get you there," said Dr. Anne Calhoun, a neurology professor at the University of North Carolina.

 "Sleep used to be kind of ignored, like parking our car in a garage and picking it up in the morning," says David Rapoport, MD, director of the NYU Sleep Disorders Program.

More links:

* Health benefits of sleep

* 11 surprising health benefits of sleep

Vitamin C - immune system booster

Vitamin C has been considered one of the best natural supplement for boosting your immune system. By boosting your immune system you can prevent trips to the doctor. There are plenty of foods that will help boost your immune system and keep you healthy. By eating certain foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals that ward off bacteria, germs and free radicals, your immune system will be working at its full potential 24/7.

Vitamin C tops the list of immune boosters for many reasons. There has been more research about the immune-boosting effects of Vitamin C than perhaps any other nutrient.
Vitamin C supplements are inexpensive to produce, and it's available naturally in many fruits and vegetables. Also, you can buy a vitamin-C-fortified version of just about anything.
Vitamin C increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies and increases levels of interferon, the antibody that coats cell surfaces, preventing the entry of viruses.

Vitamin C reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by raising levels of HDL (good) cholesterol while lowering blood pressure and interfering with the process by which fat is converted to plaque in the arteries. As an added perk, persons whose diets are higher in vitamin C have lower rates of colon, prostate, and breast cancer. You don't have to take in massive amounts of vitamin C to boost your immune system. Around 200 milligrams a day seems to be a generally agreed-upon amount and one that can be automatically obtained by eating at least six servings of fruits and vegetables a day. See Top Seven Vitamin C-Containing Fruits. If you take vitamin C supplements, it's best to space them throughout the day rather than take one large dose, most of which may end up being excreted in the urine.

Vitamin C is particularly important for helping shorten both the severity and duration of colds and flu, making it well worth stocking up on plenty of green vegetables and citrus fruits this winter. Vitamin C is loaded with antioxidants that have been scientifically proven to support immune health. Taking vitamin C at the onset of a cold can reduce the duration and severity of the symptoms.

Vitamin C also plays a key role in the healthy growth, development and repair of body tissues and is essential to numerous bodily functions including the growth of collagen, the absorption of iron and the maintenance of bones and teeth.                                              

Vitamin C affects healthy brain function by aiding in the synthesis of a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine. Recent research suggests it might even lower cholesterol.
A strong anti-viral, this immunity-boosting vitamin  possess the following immune-strengthening properties:

• leads to increase of T cell production                                              
• necessary for cell division depressed by flu virus
• required for cells to produce higher levels of interferon
• hinders growth of bacteria
• triggers greater production of antibodies
• helps detoxify multiple bacterial toxins
• improves antibiotic performance

Foods rich in vitamin C. 
Nutritionists recommend consuming food which contains more vitamin C, as it burns the fat faster.
You should include this fruits and vegetables in your nutrition:

Fruit: citrus fruits like lemon, grapefruit, lime, watermelon, apples, strawberries.
Vegetables: red peppers, broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, cabbage, winter squash and dark leafy greens

It is more important than ever to keep our immune systems strong. Make sure your body has the vitamin C it needs to stay healthy during the coming months.

Remember that it is always best to consult a nutritionist or a doctor before you start using vitamins or making any dramatic changes to your diet.


http://healthblog.ivlproducts.com/blog/healthyliving/immune-system-booster-vitamin-c

Why we need to boost immunity?

We know that the immune system is the body’s defense system. It consists of a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs and has a sensitive process of checks and balances that together generate an appropriate immune response that is prompt, accurate, effective and self-limiting.

Your immune system does a remarkable job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms. But sometimes it fails: A germ invades successfully and makes you sick. From getting a cold or the flu, to having bad food poisoning ... infected, slow healing injuries to allergies ... from lack of energy to just feeling "not right" ... a proper working immune system is the key to helping you feel better in so many ways.


Why we need to boost immunity?

People who suffer from a simple cold or flu to people who are seriously ill with life-threatening diseases need immune system boosters.

"The strength of our immune system is what makes the difference between who gets sick and who doesn't. The one with the immune system functioning below base-line normal has an increased risk of getting sick," says Woodson Merrell, MD, director of integrative medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City.

your immune cells can also lose some of their protective effects when your body is constantly battling poor health habits. As such, it's not surprising that doctors frequently recommend certain lifestyle changes as a way to optimize the function of your immune system.

"The most important thing you can do for your immune system is to achieve lifestyle balance and adopt the fundamentals of healthy living. This will give your immune system what it needs to function at optimal capacity," says Merrell. At the top of that balance list: reducing stress.

Auto-immune diseases are chronic illnesses resulting from a compromised immune system over a period of time. Many people have heard of these diseases and many more suffer from them; unfortunately, they have become almost commonplace. These illnesses and diseases include arthritis, asthma, celiac disease, colitis, Crohn's disease, dermatitis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Grave's disease, psoriasis and chronic fatigue syndrome.                         

An auto-immune disease is characterized by the inability of the body's immune system to distinguish between healthy tissue and foreign tissue. Therefore, the immune system begins to attack cells which are healthy and are causing no problems. It is thought some people are genetically predisposed to developing an auto-immune disorder, however, it is still not known what causes this reaction.


Immune system boosters often help combat the effects of the diseases, although often there is no definitive cure. The best way to treat these types of conditions is to boost the immune system as much as possible to mitigate the damage.

Other people who have problems with their immune system and may need immune system boosters are those with HIV/AIDS, certain types of cancers, gastro-intestinal diseases and lupus, although there are many illnesses and diseases related to a compromised immune system.

Source: www.immunesystemboosterssite.com

Useful links:

 * How to boost immune system naturally?

* Best Natural Immunity Boosters-Vitamins Strengthen Immune System

Carotenoids to help boost immune system

The immune system is the body's defense against infectious organisms and other invaders. To keep our immune system healthy, we need immunity boosters. Immune system boosters are typically utilized in order to improve the strength of the defense mechanism of the body. Carotenoids (Beta carotene) is one of immunity boosters which increases the number of infection-fighting cells, natural killer cells, and helper T-cells, as well as being a powerful antioxidant that mops up excess free radicals that accelerate aging.


Beta-carotene or carotenoids is perhaps best known for its role as a precursor for vitamin A, or as pro-vitamin A, meaning that the human body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A when needed. The human body is unable to synthesize carotenoids and they must therefore be taken up as a food constituent

What are carotenoids?                                                       
Carotenoids/Beta-carotene is a naturally occurring reddish-orange pigment, responsible for the yellow-orange colour of many fruits. It is one of literally hundreds of carotenoids found in nature, particularly in dark green, deep orange and yellow fruits and vegetables. Beta-carotene is one of the most extensively researched carotenoids and pro-vitamins, and it is highly regarded for its many health-promoting capabilities.

The most common carotenoids in diets are alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene. Alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin are provitamin A carotenoids, meaning they can be converted by the body to retinol (vitamin A). Lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene have no vitamin A activity.

Beta-carotene rich food – Orange/ Yellow fruits and vegetables
Lycopene rich food – Red fruits & vegetables
Lutein rich food – Green Leafy Vegetable
Zeaxanthin rich food - Yellow/ Orange Colour Fruits and Vegetables
Carrot, pumpkin, water melon,tomato, spinach,Kale,Persimmon,and corn

Vitamin A helps regulate the immune system, which helps prevent or fight off infections by making white blood cells that destroy harmful bacteria and viruses. Vitamin A also may help lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) fight infections more effectively.
                                                                                    
Benefits of Carotenoids on our immune 
Main functions of Carotenoids

• antioxidant 
• immunity booster 
• promotion of cell communication 
• cancer prevention 
• eyesight improvement 
• protection of the skin against oxidative damage

Carotenoids can help boost the immune system by:

1. Increasing lymphocytes to fight against infection
2. Increasing T-cells to fight off cancer cells
3. stimulates macrophages to kill cancer cells
4. Protect cells against free radicals

Beta-carotene acts as an antioxidant and may help prevent chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, age-related eye diseases, brain disorders and many more. beta-carotene is also known to protect skin exposed to sunlight as it absorbs hazardous ultraviolet radiation.


Useful links:

* Vitamin A and Carotenoids

Vitamin B- As Immunity booster

Vitamin B complex is widely recognised as being necessary for a strong immune system. It has been commonly recommended to help increase energy levels. The vitamin B complex is a collection of eight water-soluble vitamins and are needed in very small amounts for various metabolic processes and other functions. The Vitamin B Complex comprises of the essential B Vitamins – Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B9, Vitamin B12 plus the vitamins Biotin, Choline and Inositol. Vitamin B Complex is needed for the proper functioning of almost every process in the body.


B vitamins are essential for growth, development, and a variety of other bodily functions. They play a major role in the activities of enzymes, proteins that regulate chemical reactions in the body, which are important in turning food into energy and other needed substances. B vitamins are found in plant and animal food sources.

Immunity Boosting B Vitamins                            


Found in liver, whole grains, nuts, yeast and dairy products, B Vitamins are essential for maintaining good health. As highlighted by Holford & Meek, those who are extremely stressed or eat a high sugar diet are most likely to be deficient in this area, with the following immunity actions associated with B vitamins:

• B12/B6 - necessary for babies to gain strong immune system           
• B6 - helps body key create amino acid for immunity 
• B6 - important for cleaning dead cells, getting rid of unwanted invaders 
• B5 - immune stimulant, necessary for producing antibodies, helps killer cells 

As part of a healthy lifestyle, the B-group vitamins need to be consumed every day because the body cannot store most of them, with the exception of B12 and folate, which are stored in the liver.

Vitamin B foods list: 

• Nuts –  vitamin B1
• Oats –  vitamin B1
• Rice –  vitamin B1 and B2
• Yeast –  vitamin B1
• Oranges –  vitamin B1
• Meat products –  vitamin B1, B2, B6 and B12
• Almonds –  vitamin B2
• Whole Grains –  vitamin B2 and B6
• Mushrooms –  vitamin B2
• Soy Beans –  vitamin B2
• Milk –  vitamin B2 and B12
• Yogurt –  vitamin B2
• Eggs –  vitamin B2, B6 and B12
• Potatoes –  vitamin B6
• Fish –  vitamin B6 and B12
• Liver –  vitamin B6
• Poultry –  vitamin B12
• Cereals –  vitamin B12

Useful links:


* Vitamin B and health benefits

Feng shui and stress management by decluttering your surroundings

Mess relief = stress relief
It seems strange but it is true that clutter or mess around our homes or work space makes our lives more stressful.
Feng shui says 'If your home is cluttered, that flow and balance is hampered and the feel of your home is less peaceful than you may desire. In fact, the more cluttered your home, the more stressed you may feel.'
                             

Decluttering our environment, home or office is a natural stress reliever. It is a surprisingly powerful way to regain simplicity and balance in our thoughts and our behaviors. It seems to clear away the extraneous so that the important and fundamental aspects of our lives can more easily shine forth. Even the simplest acts of cleaning and organizing can make a huge difference in how you feel about the space. Clutter eats away at the sense of peace and tranquility that can exist in the house, as it is a constant reminder of disorganization in life.

Clutter at your work space:

Clutter in your office is the number one blockage of positive energy as it disrupts your focus and concentration. Clutter is both a cause and a symptom of stuck energy. When using feng shui at work getting rid of clutter is the most essential step to creating a smooth, gentle, nurturing flow of chi (vital energy) through your office, and should be the first thing you do to improve the feng shui of your space .

How to start organizing?

Start Small:
Start with the cluttered, disorganized drawer in the side table next to the sofa instead of the entire room.  Start small and then move on to bigger projects. Another step to clearing out the clutter and making your house more feng shui oriented is to clean a little at a time.

Instead of tacking the entire room, start by spending five minutes each day picking up pieces, putting things away, and getting rid of trash.
By taking just a little bit of time each day, by the end of a month, your home will be significantly less cluttered and you will be excited to see what else you can clear out.

Closet Clutter
Another culprit of non-feng shui living is having cluttered closets. Clothing closets are usually the biggest culprits, because many people have trouble getting rid of old pieces of clothing. When you have less cluttered clothing closets, it takes a lot of the stress of trying to find what to wear out of the morning routine.

Start by going through every piece of clothing and determining if it is a piece that has been worn within the last year or will be worn in the very near future. If it has not been worn within the last year, donate it to charity. Your clothing that is no longer being worn, can be a treasure for someone else.

The Top Two Rules for Decluttering are:

1. Don’t add to what you already have.

2. Throw things out as MUCH as you can. (It feels great once you get the hang of it.)
If you can’t throw it away, BOX it and then, months from now, when you don’t even remember that box,you’ll see how much you don’t need that stuff – and you can then toss it out. (Label the contents of the box if it contains anything important.)


Useful links:

* A lot of decluttering tips at 'Declutter your space'


* Decluttering your home office

Significance of zam zam water for muslims

You can learn some facts, history and significance of blessed water 'zamzam' which is also called 'Aab-e-zamzam'.

Zamzam water is special to Muslims. Zam-zam water is one of the many signs of Allah Ta’ala. Zam-zam enjoys a lot of virtues and blessings. Below are some virtues:

 1. Zam-zam water is from jannah (paradise). 
 2. Zam-zam is the best water on earth. 
 3. Zam-zam is a cure for every sickness.

It is a miraculously-generated source of water from Allah (God), which began thousands of years ago when Ibrahim (as) infant son Ismael (as) was thirsty and kept crying for water and was kicking at the ground when water gushed out. Millions of pilgrims visit the Well each year while performing the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages, in order to drink its water.

Zamzam water which is also called 'Aab-e-zamzam is special. To Muslims this blessed water is special in significance and history. This article helps you learn some facts, history and significance of zamzam water. It is a miraculously-generated source of water from Allah (God), which began thousands of years ago when Ibrahim (as) infant son Ismael (as) was thirsty and kept crying for water and was kicking at the ground when water gushed out. Millions of pilgrims visit the Well each year while performing the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimages, in order to drink its water.

Significance of zamzam: 

Zamzam water contains fluorides that have an effective germicidal action. It has always maintained the same salt composition and taste ever since it came into existence. Water tastes different at different places. Zamzam water's appeal has always been universal. This water has never been chemically treated or chlorinated as is the case with water pumped into the cities. Biological growth and vegetation usually take place in most wells. This makes the water unpalatable owing to the growth of algae causing taste and odor problems." One of the miracles of Zamzam water is its ability to satisfy both thirst and hunger. One of the Companions of the Prophet said that before Islam, the water was called "Shabbaa'ah" or satisfying. It was filling and helped them nourish their families. After Islam, this powerful ability to quench thirst and fill stomachs remained. Prophet Muhammad said: "The best water on the face of the earth is the water of Zamzam; it is a kind of food and a healing from sickness." During Hajj and Umra, pilgrims are recommended to drink Zamzam water to their fill to quench their thirst. They also continue the tradition of bringing it back for family and friends.

Dr. Masaru Emoto from Yokohama University Japan is famous for his research on the behavior of water. Dr. Masaru Emoto studied the structure of zamzam water and presented at a seminar in Malaysia. The quality / purity of Zamzam water has, will not be find any where else in the water on this earth. The conclusion is that there is no water content in the world to equal the water content of Zam-Zam.

It was revealed that the molecules of water of Zam-Zam is the most beautiful water molecules and beautiful among other water. He found that zamzam water has tremendous healing power. He said that it is always surrounded by prayer, so can cure all diseases.

 Dr. Knut Pfeiffer, a Christian German doctor specialist in internel medicine, has discovered that Zamam water has far more positive effect on human cells than regular drinking water. He also believes that Islamic prayers are more positive effect on the energy and thus health than Christian prayers.
read more at 'Zam Zam Scientific facts'


Useful links:
 * The chemical analysis of zamzam water

* The holy water of zamzam

ZamZam Water: Scientific Research Findings