We encounter germs all day, every day, so having a healthy, functioning immune system is very important. However, we also encounter many different toxins in our air, food, water, and cosmetics, and chronic inflammation is a growing issue. These things can lead to a poorly functioning or overactive immune system, with each carrying their own potential problems. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help balance your immune system.
Causes of Immune System Imbalances
Some experts estimate that we come into contact with potentially thousands of different chemicals every day, with some experts suggesting it may reach the hundreds of thousands. These include ingredients in personal-care products, air pollution, chemicals and heavy metals in tap water, pesticides from produce, chemicals in processed foods, endocrine disruptors in plastic products, and countless others. All of these toxins can damage systems in the body, including the immune system. These toxins also often cause inflammation in the body, and if left untreated, chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of autoimmune disorders, cancer, heart disease, and other conditions. Reducing your toxic burden (more on that here) and adding in foods and supplements that help you detox are simple steps that can go a long way in helping you to feel better. Try buying only organic produce, natural personal-care products, grass-fed meats. You should also switch to glass or ceramic instead of plastic, drink filtered water, and avoid processed foods as much as possible.
Leaky gut syndrome is another contributor to immune system imbalances and many different health conditions. Leaky gut syndrome is a condition in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged and essentially ‘stretches out’. This is also sometimes called intestinal permeability, and bacteria, toxins, and food particles can pass through the intestinal lining and reach the bloodstream. The body recognizes these substances as foreign invaders because they are not meant to be in the bloodstream. This can cause the body to mount an immune response to fight off these substances which can lead to allergies, inflammation, gut issues, and may also contribute to autoimmune disorders and cancer.
Solutions and Supplements
Healing your gut is crucial to balancing your immune system. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet may help heal leaky gut and reduce inflammation in the body, which may also help reduce your risk of developing certain autoimmune diseases and cancers. An anti-inflammatory diet usually consists of lots of organic fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meats, organic cold-pressed coconut oil and olive oil, organic bone broth, and plenty of clean, filtered water. It also usually requires you to cut out gluten, dairy, and processed foods, and eat little to no grains. This kind of diet is often too restrictive for many people, so if you find that you’re unable to stick to this diet we suggest you focus on eating organic fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of water, and reducing your intake of processed foods as much as possible. It is also important to make sure there is a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut.
A detox protocol or detoxifying supplements are other great ways to help balance your immune system. Fixing your diet is very important, but the body may need some extra help detoxing if it’s been struggling for many years. Liver detoxes tend to be the most beneficial because the liver is responsible for filtering through toxins that enter the body, so it can get damaged easily. Coffee enemas are a great way to help speed up liver detoxification, just be sure to read about how to properly and safely do it, and make sure the coffee you use is organic.
There are some other supplements that may help balance the immune system and fight off candida and stealth infections. Lauricidin and Olive Leaf Extract are two great supplements that are antiparasitic, antifungal, and antibacterial, and have shown potential to reduce candida overgrowth and chronic stealth infections. Lauricidin may also help balance immune system function, and can be taken long-term.
As usual, we suggest adopting a diet that is high in organic fruits and vegetables, good fats like coconut oil and olive oil, grass-fed meats, and very low in processed foods. Reducing inflammation in the body is a daily process, and it often takes time to notice a difference in how you feel, but your body will thank you later. Your health is important, so treat it that way!
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