Our bodies respond differently with each season. The colder seasons such as fall and winter usually produce more colds, flu, and other uncomfortable illnesses and conditions more than the warmer months. Because these seasons occur every year, it helps to actually prepare for what’s to come by building up your immune system early. Why wait until you’re actually sick? Instead, learn what steps you can start taking now in order to be completely ready when the leaves start to change color.

The majority of changes that you need to make to your lifestyle in order to strengthen your immune system will have to do with your diet and what you consume. Certain foods contain such great health benefits that it makes them ideal for serving your body and protecting your immune system from illness and disease.

During the fall and winter months, hot beverages are often the preferred drink of choice. This year, make it a point to include more cups of aloe vera, orange juice, and black tea in your daily diet. When most people think about aloe vera, they usually associate it with treating sunburns and inflamed or upset skin. However, aloe vera can actually be purchased in liquid juice form for consumption. Just a quarter glass of juice each morning is enough to accurately balance out your immune system. When you start to feel a cold or flu coming on, drink two glasses of aloe vera juice daily to beat any illness to the punch. Additionally, drinking aloe vera juice will keep your teeth and gums in top shape and also provides the body with natural detoxifying properties. It goes without saying that the more vitamin C you give your body, the stronger it will be. There is no easier way to get the right amount of vitamin C for your immune system than good ole orange juice. Or you can take supplements to make sure you’re getting the right amount. It is suggested that to fight off infections, you should take at least 1,000 mg of vitamin C a day. Tea drinkers will be able to appreciate black tea for its natural healing properties. This beverage is ideal for fighting the flu and has been shown to quickly build immunity to the flu virus. Equipped with potent flavonoids, just gargling with black tea can put your immune system back on top.

Another item to add to your immune system boosting regimen is turmeric. This herb comes from the Ginger family and has been in use for many, many years. To help stimulate your immune system, you’ll need 200 mg a day. Mushroom lovers should add maitake mushrooms to their list of new favorite foods. With 3-7 grams a day, maitake mushrooms can stimulate the immune system with more T-cells to ward off cancer cells and viruses, as well as prevent the growth of cancer. If you trust ancient traditional medicine, then you’ll have no problem with astragalus. This tonic has been in use for over 4,000 years and is ideal for treating colds and immune deficiency disorders.

Related Articles
	Skincare Prep for the Flu Season Many of us prepare for the flu season by getting a flu shot and making a mental note to drink more orange juice. But most of us don’t think about our skin until it’s too late – until we’re in the middle of a three-day bout of coughing, complete with watery eyes and a runny nose. Then we carefully apply   ...Read more		How to Improve the Health of Your Home You wash your hands often. You keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in your desk drawer at the office. And you certainly use a paper towel as a barrier between your and any public restroom door. But what about at home? Your house or apartment is your primary environment. You spend more hours there than   ...Read more