The immune system underpins your entire mental and physical wellbeing. Think of it as the body’s public service. It feeds the cells, cleans them, keeps the cells working together as a team and maintains an optimal environment. 
The immune system regulates and maintains harmony in the body. If the immune system identifies cells in the body that are starting to exhibit single cell behaviour – that is, not operating as part of the team – the immune system will try and encourage the cell to ‘behave’ and if it doesn’t, it will remove/kill it. Rogue cells that start to operate outside of the community are the ones that may become malignant, potentially causing autoimmune disease and cancer.
Based on over 25 years of clinical studies I have found the following 10 factors have the biggest influence on immune health:
- Emotional stress (particularly when it has reached a point of resignation e.g, “I will never find anyone to be with”, “Everyone hates me”)
- Poor sleep quality
- Food toxins
- Infectious pathogens
- Inconsistent or lack of exercise
- Chemical poisons
- Inappropriate vaccinations (where the vaccine is given at a time when the immune system is under stress / or it is not required)
- Poor nutrition
- Damaging environments (where we live, geopathic stress, microwaves from technology etc)
- Age
Our adaptive immune system begins to code defence mechanisms to bugs and chemicals introduced to the baby in utero. It then builds up defences to things we introduce into our bodies and the environment we are exposed to throughout our lives. There are three main phases the adaptive immune system goes through during our lives:
Developmental: aged 0 – 14 years (it is still relatively weak during this phase)
Maturity: aged 14 – 35 years (at its peak, hence that feeling of being indestructible)
Vulnerable: aged 35+
It’s at the vulnerable phase when our adaptive immune system starts to decline in strength and scarring can occur through lifestyle choices we make. A scar on the adaptive immune system is when a breakdown occurs and thus affects its ability to communicate. It can then begin to make errors and miss manage the ‘rogue’ cells which can lead to cancer developing or it may start attacking the ‘good’ cells and autoimmune diseases occur.
Ultimately over time the immune system varies in its ability to govern the cells and environment of our body and so measures should be taken to prevent or stop scarring through improved lifestyle and behaviours.
There are many ways you can support your immune system, including:
Find Your Signature Diet
Conduct your own Personal Food Trials to work out what foods are best for you. The immune system can struggle to digest and denature the defence chemicals in plants like grains (including wheat, rice and corn) and fruit. You can conduct you’re own Grain-Free and Fructose-Free Personal Food Trial to map the impact such foods have on your health.
Fasting
Allows the immune system to reset and ideally should be done twice a year.
Colloidal silver
It’s an anti-bacterial. You buy it or buy a generator and make your own. For adults, take a couple of mouthfuls (about 30ml) per week, about 15mls for children. It will change the environment in your gut and make it more challenging for bacteria to thrive.
Evolve Your Character
Your world is related to what you focus on and the meanings you give situations. If you feel as though you are being swamped by negative feelings use it as the opportunity to change the focus and put a positive meaning on it. Our Unleash Your Happiness course teaches tools to manage emotional stress and create an extraordinary life.
Meditate
Take time to meditate and give yourself space for yourself each day.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be used to stimulate points relating to the organs.
Homeopathic remedies
Homeopathics and herbal medicines can support immune function, while flower essences can help you develop a more positive mindset.
Exercise and joint adjustments
Keeping your body active and improving your mobility, flexibility, strength and fitness can help reverse imbalances in your body and reduce pain and discomfort. Making sure you’re joints are in alignment can aid sleep and relaxation.
Reduce geopathic stress
Be mindful of geopathic stress and try to reduce or counter it. Things like excessive mobile phones use or living near electricity pylons can affect us negatively. Here’s a tip – cats, ants and bees like geopathic stress so if your cat likes a certain spot- let the cat have it!
Increase your exposure to sunlight
Boost the vitamin D and especially before winter try and get a burst of sunshine.
You can learn more about how the immune system works and what you can do to boost your health (including conducting your own Personal Food Trials) by attending our workshops. My book No More Chronic Fatigue also offers detailed information on improving immune health.