HEALTHY LIVING 101: Your best protection against illness does not come from a pill or an injection, but from your body’s first line of defence: “the assorted cells and organs that make up the immune system”. This complex, finely tuned system stands ready to identify, attack and destroy any invading germs that would attempt to wreak havoc on your health; but just like the rest of your body, your immune system depends on you to take proper care of it, otherwise it can’t do it’s job as well as it should. What you need is a resource to show not only how to strengthen your natural resistance to disease but also how to heal yourself, if you do become sick. (It is all in the 7 Keys to maximum immunity). Kathy Emiko

The 7 Keys to Maximum Immunity is the crucial life style factor that unlocks the immune system’s healing potential. They are:

1. NUTRITION 2. EXERCISE

3. SLEEP 4. STRESS

5. MOOD 6. SUNLIGHT

7. ENVIRONMENT

1. NUTRITION: As it destroys invaders, then repairs the damage, the immune system creates free radicals (molecules that damage cells and cause inflammation; which sets the stage for disease. Research shows that certain substances in fruits, vegetables and whole grains help protect the immune function; for example Vitamin C raises levels of interferon, the chemical that coats cell surfaces and protects them from any virus that tries to hijack them. Other plant substances, called bioflavonoids, protect cell membranes against environmental pollutants.

2. EXERCISE: Physical activity does more than melt away pounds and tone muscles. It also boosts immune response. It is thought that working out may help flush disease-causing viruses and bacteria from the lungs; expel potentially cancerous cells through urine and sweat; and, speed anti-bodies and white blood cells through the body so they identify and destroy marauding microbes more quickly than they might otherwise.

3. SLEEP: Logging 8 hours of ‘shut-eyes’ each night allows the immune system to fortify its defences. For example, the sleep hormone (melatonin) inhibits growth of tumours and raises concentration of infection-fighting antibodies in saliva. By contrast, sleep deprivation appears to compromise the immune system by altering the blood level of immune molecules called cytokines, raising the risk of chronic inflammation and infection.

4. STRESS: Stress that lasts only a few minutes or hours temporarily mobilises immune cells. Temporary stressors trigger release of corticosteroids and epinephrine, stress hormones that warn immune cells to prepare for imminent danger such as injury that needs protection from infection. Conversely, chronic stress, the kind caused by long-standing family, money or relationship issues, has been found to suppress ability of the immune system to battle viral, bacterial and parasitic infections, according to a meta-analysis of almost 300 studies.

Moreover, the immune systems of people who are older or whose immune systems are already suppressed due to illness are more prone to stress-related change.

5. MOOD: Think positive! Research into the connection between the brain and immune system suggests that the way you look at life may affect your immune response.

6. SUNLIGHT: While slathering yourself with sunscreen helps protect against skin cancer, it may deprive your immune system of Vitamin D. A review of more than 100 studies of Vitamin D and respiratory diseases found that low levels of the vitamin allow flu virus to breach the immune system. So take in a little sunlight.

7. ENVIRONMENT: Everyday, we are exposed to chemicals and products that affect immune responses.

HOW TO GET THE KEYS? SIMPLE!

Healthy Living:

a. WHITTLE YOUR MIDDLE: A waistline of more than 35 inches for men and 31 inches for women is prone to degenerative diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Body fat fuels chronic inflammation. Research shows that over-weight adults and children have higher levels of several inflammatory substances in the blood. When extra pounds or kilogrammes are lost, levels return to normal.

LOSE THAT EXCESS WEIGHT!

b. EAT FRESH: A diet heavy on processed foods and fatty, red meat contributes to chronic inflammation. Load your plate with fresh fruits and vegetables instead; they are parked with anti-oxidants, which disarm cell-damaging free radicals and flavonoids. These in turn block production of inflammation-promoting hormones.

c. FEAST ON GOOD FATS: Olive oil, canola oil and flax seeds are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, the raw materials of anti-inflammatory hormones called eicosanoid. While some eicosanoids fan the fire, Omega-3 quenches it.

d. GUZZLE OOLONG TEA: Oolong tea has been touted for its ability to restore the skin’s youthful appearance and as a bonus, it boosts the immune system and promotes weight loss. (Also available as Oolong Tea Diet tablets.)

e. PUT YOUR BODY IN MOTION: Exercise has invariably proven to help regulate the immune system. It is also one of the best things you can do to keep your weight under control.

f). SPICE UP YOUR BODY: Take a bottle of BODY PERFECT HEALING AND CLEANSING COCKTAIL daily. Why? It contains FAT AND DISEASE-FLUSHING herbs and spices.

SIX REASONS TO DRINK BODY PERFECT HEALING AND CLEANSING COCKTAIL DAILY:

1. It is an ENERGIZER: It helps to fight fatigue, wards off stress and provides energy boost to the entire body.

2. It is a DETOXIFIER: It rids the body of toxins, thereby, ensuring cleansed and invigorated liver.

3. It is a BLOOD-SUGAR STABILIZER: It helps to steady blood-sugar which curbs your appetite and prevents the fatty deposits that are part of insulin resistance.

4. It is a DIURETIC: It helps to de-waterlog tissues and eliminates excess water weight.

5. It is a CHOLESTEROL ZAPPER: It helps to rid the body of bad cholesterol, thereby balancing the ratio between “good” and “bad” cholesterol.

6. It is A THERMOGENIC: It helps to raise body temperature, thereby helping it to burn fat efficiently rather than storing it as fat.

Remember, it is all about your HEALTH; not just WEIGHT LOSS!

For organic Oolong tea leaves, Body Perfect Cleansing and Healing Cocktail and Oolong Tea Diet with Fish Oil (tablets), call:

Lagos: 08034545819; 07063685311

Enugu: 08037090382

Port Harcourt: 08062613833

Yenagoa: 07064824264

Benin: 08062613833