Forward from Caitlin: With so much happening in the world and no end in sight currently for this pandemic - I want to help the dance community as much as I can. So, I sought out help from my holistic health practitioner for how to keep our immunity up. Oh - and she happens to be MY MOM!
Jennifer Foster is a former professional ballroom dance champion turned bio-energetic practitioner to help others experience the joy of good health. She specializes in helping people regain energy and digestive balance. Her methods include Meridian Assessment to look for specific areas of stress, and the detection of potential toxins and pathogens, which are often the root cause of chronic symptoms.
Vitamins and Minerals That Protect Immune Health (and how they help!)
Vitamin C (Camu Camu) is the name of an exceptionally significant botanical bush which grows in the Amazonian rain forests of Peru. This bush produces a berry that contains many powerful phytochemicals, amino acids serine, valine, and leucine, and more concentrated natural Vitamin C than any other known botanical in the world.
● A powerful antioxidant vitamin required for growth and repair, adrenal gland function, thyroid hormone production, and production of anti-stress hormones.
● Research on vitamin C shows that it can cut the duration of colds and flu by 30%!
● Our bodies do not make vitamin C, we need to eat foods with Vit C.
● Vitamin C supports the production of interferons. Interferons are produced when the presence of pathogens (virus, Bacteria) are detected.
● They facilitate the ability of cells to launch protective cellular defenses.
● Vitamin C enhances the function of phagocytes. Once the invaders are captured in this manner, they are enzymatically digested.
● Vitamin C concentrates in white blood cells. Some of the primary cells in the immune system concentrate Vitamin C as much as 80 times higher than the level in plasma. This assures extra delivery of Vitamin C to the sites of infection by the migration of these Vitamin C-rich white blood cells
Zinc
● Plays a critical role in many physiologic functions in the body.
● Zinc is vital for the functionality of more than 300 enzymes. Its deficiency can result in a significantly compromised immune system.
● Zinc deficiencies can lead to the shrinkage of the spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes, as well as a decreased production of antibodies.
● The prostate has the highest levels of zinc in the body, and supplementation of this mineral can help reduce the size of the prostate and symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).
● Zinc protects the liver from toxic chemicals, prevents the absorption of lead and cadmium, and is a component of the free radical scavenging enzyme superoxide dismutase.
Garlic
● Garlic is anti-everything! (including Vampires!)
Beta Carotene
● A potent free radical scavenger and precursor of vitamin A
● Beta carotene stimulates immunity, especially with respiratory conditions, including sore throat, colds, sinusitis, bronchitis, etc
Medicinal Mushrooms:
Maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa), Reishi mushroom extract (Ganoderma lucidum), Himematsutake (Agaricus Blazeii), Caterpillar Fungus (Cordyceps Sinensis), Shiitake (Lentinus Edodes), Turkey Tail (Coriolus Versicolor)
● Traditionally hot water extracted, log grown, hand-harvested
● Medicinal mushrooms have been used for over 2,000 years. The earliest recorded use was found in the Chinese Materia Medica for Maitake mushroom, and dates around 220 AD.
● The therapeutic effects of medicinal mushrooms are mostly due to their polysaccharide content
● Beta-glucans are polysaccharide chains that promote the immune modulation effects of medicinal mushrooms
● They have the ability to enhance macrophage (Natural Killer Cells) and T-cell production and activation.
● T-lymphocytes (made from Lymph Tissue called White Pulp) are responsible for cell-mediated immunity which is an immune response involving the activation of certain immune cells to fight infection.
● Macrophages (Natural Killer Cells) dispose of antigens, dead cells and debris by engulfing them and digesting them. In injured areas, macrophages will reduce inflammation and destroy pathogens or damaged cells in the area.
● Much attention in recent years has focused on various immunological and anti-cancer properties of certain mushrooms
● they also offer other potentially important health benefits, including antioxidants, anti-hypertensive and cholesterol-lowering properties, and liver protection.
They are also anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-viral and anti-microbial.
Hi! Caitlin again - I actually drink an and amaaazing mushroom coffee each morning. If you’re interested in what brand, just shoot me an email at hello@caitlincamarda.com
Candida and Xenobiotics: How they compromise the immune system
● Today’s escalating xenobiotic burden is creating overload and damage to the immune system.
● If there is a shift in the balance of microorganisms, a cascade of compensatory mechanisms are brought into play.
● This may create fungal and Candida patterns, ECM congestion, and microbial infestations.
● A compensatory mechanism happens when candida builds a protective barrier between the tissue and the offending xenobiotics in order to allow for continued oxygenation of tissues. This defensive mechanism saves the cell but there is a payback—Candida
The more immune-compromised one is, the greater the growth of candida fungal infection in the body.
More white blood cells to fight infection=more free radicals.
This is why you want to eat healthy foods rich in antioxidants and get your immune system balanced to maintain optimal health!
What to eat when you’re sick
● Alkaline foods, Alkaline soup, because when you’re sick you’re too acidic
● Eat fruits and veggies
● Reduce the amount of cooked foods to up your enzymes. More raw foods
● Get enough protein, along with alkaline fruits and veggies
● Eat garlic and onions
● Flavor foods with fresh quality herbs
● Drink quality teas made from herbs
If you're interested in a holistic approach to health and would like more support, you can reach out to Jennifer Foster via phone, website or email:
952-239-2984
www.jenniferfosterhealthcoach.com
jen@jenniferfosterhealthcoach.com