Although the immune system can recognise viral strains it has encountered and beaten off before, it will not recognise a virus which has mutated - and even the smallest genetic change will trick it into thinking a brand new species, for which it has no antibodies, has landed. While a strong immune system will cope with this attack, one that has been weakened by poor nutrition and too much stress will struggle to get you back to good health.

Fatigue, lethargy, repeated infections, slow wound healing, allergies, thrush, colds, and flu are all signs that the body’s immune system is functioning below par. A healthy adult, for example, should suffer no more than two colds a year so if you do succumb more to every passing infection, you definitely need to start supporting your immune system.

Almost everyone has now heard of the best-selling herbal remedy, echinacea, which in Germany, is prescribed by doctors and pharmacists to help fight colds and flu. It is effective, as long as you don’t overuse it, but I find another less glamorous herb even more effective. Goldenseal, which was once used to treat syphilis and gonorrhoea, was first discovered by the Aborigine healers in Australia. It will not only help prevent an infection if you are feeling low, but can reduce the inflammation of mucous membranes once you have a cough or cold.

Most people will also reach for the vitamin C tablets at the first sign of a splutter. A quarter of a century ago, the US Nobel Laureate, Linus Pauling, caused an outcry among medics by claiming this nutrient, taken in high enough doses, could alleviate the symptoms of the common cold. This debate continues but what we do now know is that many of the symptoms of a cold have nothing to do with the cold virus itself, but are caused by the body’s own immune response to that alien invader and it is this secondary problem that vitamin C can help counter.

What happens is that during a cold, the mucous membranes that line the nose become charged with the white blood cells that release large amounts of chemicals designed to destroy the virus. Unfortunately, these substances also attack the cells of the mucous membranes themselves causing a runny nose and other disturbances. So the idea behind giving antioxidants such as vitamins C, A and E to tackle a cold is two-fold. Firstly, these nutrients have now been shown to support the immune system but, just as importantly, they weaken the immune attack on the body’s own tissues.

Poor nutrition is the most common cause of a weakened immune response. Foods that are good natural sources of the immune-boosting antioxidants include kiwi fruits which contain more vitamin C than oranges, Chinese cabbage which is an excellent source of vitamin A and avocado, known as nature’s own superfood because it provides the optimum healthy ratio of fat, carbohydrate, protein and vitamin E. Foods that are rich in vitamin B6, which boost the production of antibodies to fight infection, will also help. These include bananas, carrots, lentils, tuna, salmon, wholegrain flour and sunflower seeds. You also need to step up your intake of dietary zinc by eating more seafoods, eggs, turkey, pumpkin seeds and crabmeat.

How To Beat A Cold & Boost Immunity
*Goldenseal: It tastes vile and will stain your fingers bright yellow, but Goldenseal is highly effective. Take in liquid or capsule form. If you prefer liquid, you can buy 100ml of wild-crafted goldenseal (this simply means it is harvested naturally from the wild, not cultivated which herbalists believe gives it even greater potency).

*Do not self-dose with this herb if you are pregnant or have high blood pressure.

*Antioxidants: The body cannot store vitamin C but must rely on your dietary intake. To prevent winter infections, take 1,000mg a day. To boost the immune system and ward off colds, you’ll find it hard to beat a product called Well-max by Country Life which combines all the antioxidants, plus antibacterial grapeseed extract, goldenseal, Siberian ginseng, astragalus, schizandra, shiitake and reishi mushrooms, plus bee propolis, garlic, echinacea and the liver-supporting herb, Pau d’arco.

*Echinacea: or Purple coneflower, is the top-selling herb in the US. Introduced into medical practice in 1887, modern research into how it supports the immune system began in the 1930s in Germany where, by the mid-1990s for example, it was bring prescribed by doctors and pharmacists 2.5 million times to fight colds and flu. Said to work by increasing the numbers and the activity of white blood cells, it also increases the production of interferon, a chemical that is critical to the immune system response. At the onset of a cold, take 20 drops of echinacea tincture, 3-4 times a day for 10-14 days. To prevent a cold, take three times a day for six to eight weeks but make sure you have “rest” periods or the protective effects will diminish.
 
*Maitake: One of the more exotic immune-boosting supplements to get noticed in the West is the Maitake mushroom (Grifoloa frondosa) which grows to the size of a basketball deep in the mountains of Northeastern Japan. Highly prized for its immune-boosting properties, it has been shown to stimulate the immune response by activating the T-cells which are the body’s own defence against viruses and cancer cells. Recent animal studies revealed that combining maitake extract with chemotherapy treatment resulted in a 99% tumour shrinkage in just 14 days. Studies in the US, Japan and the UK have also shown that giving maitake extract to HIV patients can help protect the body’s disease-fighting T-cells which the HIV virus normally destroys. Said to improve liver function too, it contains powerful polysaccharides; chemicals known to boost the immune system and is currently in clinical trials with both HIV and cancer patients. The recommended dosage it between 3-7g per day.

*Cat’s Claw: A herb which grows in the rain forests of South America, the active constituents are the oxyindole alkaloids which stimulate immune function. Not to be taken by pregnant or lactating women, it has both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties making it useful for wound healing. To make a therapeutic tea, boil 1g of cat’s claw root bark with 250ml (1 cup) of water for 15 minutes. Cool, strain and drink three cups a day. Alternatively, take 1-2ml of tincture twice a day pr 20-60mg of standardised extract daily.

*Aloe Vera: A veritable storehouse of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and numerous other ingredients, aloe vera acts as both an immune-enhancer and a natural antiseptic. Recommended for serious immune deficiency conditions, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, drink a quarter of a glass each morning and increase the dosage by drinking the same amount again at the end of the day if you feel a cold or other infection threatening. Find a product that is high in the mucopolysaccharides, which bolster the body’s natural defences.

*Grapefruit Seed Extract: An antibiotic, antiviral and antifungal agent, recommended for stomach bugs, throat and ear infections, you should only take this when you feel ill. If travelling to any country where you are worried about food hygiene, take 75mg three times a day, for a month before you go and another month after your return. The active ingredients are called Proanthocyanidins, a class of nutrients which belong to the flavanoid family and whose primary function is to work as an antioxidant in the body, mopping up the free radical toxic byproducts of metabolism. Available in tablet or better still, liquid form, take 15 drops in a glass of water, 2-3 times a day.

*L-Arginine: An amino acid that promotes wound healing and which supports the immune system. Dairy, meat, poultry and fish are all good natural sources. Levels drop during times of increased stress making supplementation important. It works by stimulating the thymus gland, which in turn stores the disease-fighting T-lymphocytes until they are needed to fight infection. Also used to treat sexual dysfunction in men, the recommended dose if 3-6g a day.

Warning: Some researchers believe it can trigger a herpes infection so avoid if you already suffer from cold sores.

*Probiotics: Beneficial bacteria that help boost immune function are called probiotics. They alter the balance of microflora in the gut by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria and favouring those which aid digestion and promote a healthy immune response to infection. Frequently used to repopulate the digestive tract after a course of antibiotics has upset this balance, research has shown they can prevent up to 50% of the infections that are common after antibiotic use. They can also be used by travellers to avoid diarrhoea. Found naturally in fermented foods, yoghurt is a traditional source although many products contain no live bacteria at all. Even those products claiming to provide millions of live bacteria may not work since these can be destroyed by the acid in the stomach. Seven Seas has now developed a capsule with an enteric coating, which protects the bacteria through the stomach so they reach the place they are needed - the colon. If you prefer to take a powder, take 8g per day of recognised strain such as Lactobacillus acidophilus.

*Liquorice: Particularly effective when the immune system is suppressed by stress or steroids, this herb has been shown to have an antibiotic effect against throat infections, candida and herpes simplex which causes cold sores. It can relieve a dry, irritating cough and is also a good lung tonic. Only take it when you feel ill; chew one 200-300mg tablet, three times a day, before meals.

*Glutamine: Critical for both normal brain and immune function, this is the natural form of the amino acid glutamine which is amazingly versatile. It is also a component of glutathione, which is the body’s primary antioxidant, present in virtually every single cell. It is often given to burns patients to promote wound healing and is now available in a powerful combination with anthocyans, which also remove the free radical scavenger molecules which would otherwise pollute the body and lower its natural resistance to disease. The new product, Rejuvan Forte is already widely used in Europe. It is a unique combination of two very powerful immune-boosters, glutathione and anthocyanidins. The latter are found naturally in red/blue foods such as red grapes, beetroot and berries, which are also very good for the lungs.

*Herbal teas: You can easily make your own immune-boosting herbal teas. Try ginger and cinnamon, which you can make by putting four large slices of ginger and a small stick of cinnamon into boiling water. Allow to “brew” for 15 minutes. Cat’s Claw tea from the Uncaria Tomentosa plant is another powerful immune system stimulant; drink it sweetened with apple or blackcurrant concentrate.

*Kombucha Tea: The Kombucha or Manchurian “mushroom” is also now widely used to boost immunity. The name, though, is misleading because it is not a mushroom at all but a large, flat, pancake-shaped fungus-like growth that is a combination of health-promoting lichen, beneficial bacteria and yeast that has long been used in Asia as a natural energy booster. It is not eaten either but brewed into a strong antiviral and antibacterial tea after it has been left to ferment for a week or so in a mixture of water, sugar, apple cider vinegar and green or black tea. Widely used to help fight immune-related diseases such as Chronic Fatigue and Multiple Sclerosis, (MS), some devotees claim it can even help reverse the ageing process. Kombucha Tea Networks - they exist in the UK, Australia, South Africa and the US - can get you started with a handbook and starter culture.

*Garlic: The use of allicin, the primary active agent generated by garlic, for general well-being is on the increase and its role as an antioxidant has been widely investigated.

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http://www.whatreallyworks.co.uk/start/articles.asp?article_ID=183  (More included on this webpage)

Foods that are good natural sources of the immune-boosting antioxidants include kiwi fruit, which contain more vitamin C than oranges; chinese cabbage, which is an excellent source of vitamin A; avocado, known as nature’s own super-food because it provides the optimum healthy ratio of fat, carbohydrate, protein and vitamin E. Foods that are rich in vitamin B6, which boost the production of antibodies to fight infection, will also help. These include bananas, carrots, lentils, tuna, salmon, wholegrain flour, and sunflower seeds. You also need to step up your intake of dietary zinc by eating more seafood, eggs, turkey, pumpkin seeds

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http://www.holistic-online.com/cancer/cancer_common-sense-immunity.htm

Natural Immune System Strengthening

Common Sense Recommendations for Immunity

Avoid drugs, caffeine, alcohol and tobacco. These lower immune resistance.

Limit the intake of sweet foods and eliminate the use of refined white sugar altogether. Sugar impairs both lymphatic activity and the body's ability to engulf and destroy bacteria.

Drink plenty of water. Liquids keep the lymphatic fluid thin and circulating easily.

Eat fresh green and yellow vegetables, some raw, fresh raw fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds or nut and seed oils daily. These foods provide essential enzymes, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, the essential fatty acids and zinc. These nutrients keep the thymus gland, the lymphatic system and the white blood cells functioning effectively.

As far as possible, eat organically grown produce.

Eat Barley grass and wheatgrass. These foods are rich in chlorophyll, which aids in the healing. Leafy greens should be a staple in the daily diet.

Switch to an immune boosting diet. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and fruits. Avoid saturated fat.

Snack on raw, unroasted pumpkin seeds. These are a good source of zinc. Zinc is an important mineral for the immune system that is often deficient in the diet.

Use nutritional yeast regularly in soups, sauces, salads and sprinkled on cereal. This will give a boost to the immune system. It is also a good source of B vitamin.

Include in the diet chlorella, garlic, and pearl barley. These foods contain germanium, a trace element beneficial for the immune system. Also add kelp to the diet. Kelp contains iodine, calcium, iron, carotene, protein, riboflavin, and vitamin C, which are necessary for the immune system's functional integrity.

Take two small containers of yogurt (with live culture) daily.

Avoid over-eating. Obesity encourages immune system suppression. People who are overweight suffer from more infections than do people of normal weight.

Supply your immune system with adequate amounts of nutrients that promote proper immune function. Key nutrients include:

Vitamin A is very important in the body's defense system.

Vitamin C may be the single most important vitamin for the immune system. It is essential for the formation of adrenal hormones and the production of lymphocytes. Vitamin C should be taken with bioflavonoids.

Vitamin E interacts with vitamins A and C and the mineral selenium, acting as a primary antioxidant and scavenger of free radicals. Vitamin E activity is an integral part of the body's defense system.

Zinc boosts the immune response and promotes the healing of wounds when used in appropriate doses. It also helps to protect the liver. Caution: Excessive doses (over 100 milligrams per day) may actually depress immune function.

See:Nutrition: Vitamins and Supplements for Immune System Strengthening.

Drink antioxidant ginger tea or "green drinks" daily. See Holistic Living for herbal tea recipes.

Use spirulina. It is a naturally digestible food that aids in protecting the immune system. It supplies many nutrients needed for cleansing and healing.

Avoid Alcohol

Alcohol reduces the activity of white blood cells and the body's antibody responses. Low or moderate alcohol consumption seems to stimulate immune functions in a positive way. However, excessive consumption depresses immunity. The more alcohol consumed, the greater the impairment of white blood cell mobility.

Avoid Recreational Drugs

Drug abuse causes immune dysfunction. Heroin, morphine, and cocaine cause a variety of immune-system abnormalities. Some of the chemical components of marijuana, including tetrahydrocannabinol and cannibinoids, exert a powerful immunosuppressive effect, reducing the body's production of T cells, natural-killer cells, and interferon. The use of alcohol and drugs also increases the susceptibility to AIDS and, likely, other infections.

Avoid Smoking; Stay Away From Second-Hand Smoke

Minimize/Prevent/Manage Stress

Excessive physical and emotional stress, including depression, can rob our body of immunity. Studies have shown that reducing stress levels, increased socializing, and positive thinking can increase the activity of T cells and natural- killer cells and dramatically extend the lives of cancer patients. Learn to relax by following the recommendations in our stress management infocenter.

Laughter

Laughter significantly increases the activity of T cells and other markers of healthy immune function.

Clear your mind of negative thoughts-think positively about yourself and life in general. Enjoy life. Surround yourself with happy people.

Avoid Exercising Too Much

Moderate exercise stimulates and enhances all cellular activity. However, more is definitely not better. Overexercise stresses the immune system and can increase the risk of upper respiratory infections. Such strenuous exercises depress the activities of T cells and natural-killer cells.

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NOTE: they say POSITIVE OUTLOOK and LAUGHTER, etc., but to put it into proper perspective, you MUST BE A BORN AGAIN, BIBLE BELIEVING HOLY GHOST FILLED CHRISTIAN in order to properly utlilize those anti-stress perspectives. Not that you won't have stress, but to be able to give your cares and woes to the Lord is an awesome stress fighter!--"Cheyenne Cin"

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http://www.lifeplusvitamins.com/immune-system-supplement.htm

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http://www.cancure.org/cancer_fighting_foods.htm

Cancer Fighting Foods/Spices

The National Cancer Institute estimates that roughly one-third of all cancer deaths may be diet related. What you eat can hurt you, but it can also help you. Many of the common foods found in grocery stores or organic markets contain cancer-fighting properties, from the antioxidants that neutralize the damage caused by free radicals to the powerful phytochemicals that scientists are just beginning to explore. There isn't a single element in a particular food that does all the work: The best thing to do is eat a variety of foods. 

The following foods have the ability to help stave off cancer and some can even help inhibit cancer cell growth or reduce tumor size.

Avocados are rich in glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that attacks free radicals in the body by blocking intestinal absorption of certain fats. They also supply even more potassium than bananas and are a strong source of beta-carotene. Scientists also believe that avocados may also be useful in treating viral hepatitis (a cause of liver cancer), as well as other sources of liver damage.

Broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower have a chemical component called indole-3-carbinol that can combat breast cancer by converting a cancer-promoting estrogen into a more protective variety. Broccoli, especially sprouts, also have the phytochemical sulforaphane, a product of glucoraphanin - believed to aid in preventing some types of cancer, like colon and rectal cancer. Sulforaphane induces the production of certain enzymes that can deactivate free radicals and carcinogens. The enzymes have been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors in laboratory animals.  However, be aware that the Agriculture Department studied 71 types of broccoli plants and found a 30-fold difference in the amounts of glucoraphanin. It appears that the more bitter the broccoli is, the more glucoraphanin it has. Broccoli sprouts have been developed under the trade name BroccoSprouts that have a consistent level of sulforaphane - as much as 20 times higher than the levels found in mature heads of broccoli. 

Carrots contain a lot of beta carotene, which may help reduce a wide range of cancers including lung, mouth, throat, stomach, intestine, bladder, prostate and breast. Some research indicated beta carotene may actually cause cancer, but this has not proven that eating carrots, unless in very large quantities - 2 to 3 kilos a day, can cause cancer.  In fact, a substance called falcarinol that is found in carrots has been found to reduce the risk of cancer, according to researchers at Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences (DIAS). Kirsten Brandt, head of the research department, explained that isolated cancer cells grow more slowly when exposed to falcarinol. This substance is a polyacethylen, however, so it is important not to cook the carrots.

Chili peppers and jalapenos contain a chemical, capsaicin, which may neutralize certain cancer-causing substances (nitrosamines) and may help prevent cancers such as stomach cancer. 

Cruciferous vegetables - broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage contain two antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin that may help decrease prostate and other cancers. 

Figs apparently have a derivative of benzaldehyde. It has been reported that investigators at the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research in Tokyo say benzaldehyde is highly effective at shrinking tumors, though I haven't seen this report. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says figs, which contain vitamins A and C, and calcium, magnesium and potassium, may curtail appetite and improve weight-loss efforts. Fig juice is also a potent bacteria killer in test-tube studies.

Flax contains lignans, which may have an antioxidant effect and block or suppress cancerous changes. Flax is also high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought to protect against colon cancer and heart disease. See Budwig diet for a specialized diet using flax seed oil and cottage cheese. For studies about flax seed and flax oil, go to our Important News or Archives Page.

Garlic has immune-enhancing allium compounds (dialyl sultides) that appear to increase the activity of immune cells that fight cancer and indirectly help break down cancer causing substances. These substances also help block carcinogens from entering cells and slow tumor development. Diallyl sulfide, a component of garlic oil, has also been shown to render carcinogens in the liver inactive. Studies have linked garlic — as well as onions, leeks, and chives — to lower risk of stomach and colon cancer. Dr. Lenore Arab, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the UNC-CH (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) schools of public health and medicine and colleagues analyzed a number of studies and reported their findings in the October 2000 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. According to the report, people who consume raw or cooked garlic regularly face about half the risk of stomach cancer and two-thirds the risk of colorectal cancer as people who eat little or none. Their studies didn't show garlic supplements had the same effect. It is believed garlic may help prevent stomach cancer because it has anti-bacterial effects against a bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, found in the stomach and known to promote cancer there.

Red wine, even without alcohol, has polyphenols that may protect against various types of cancer. Polyphenols are potent antioxidants, compounds that help neutralize disease-causing free radicals.  Also, researchers at the University of North Carolina's medical school in Chapel Hill found the compound resveratrol, which is found in grape skins. It appears that resveratrol inhibits cell proliferation and can help prevent cancer. However, the findings didn't extend to heavy imbibers, so it should be used in moderation. In addition, alcohol can be  toxic to the liver and to the nervous system, and many wines have sulfites, which may be harmful to your health. Note:  some research indicates that alcohol is considered a class "A" carcinogen which can actually cause cancer - see http://www.jrussellshealth.com/alccanc.html. You should probably switch to non-alcoholic wines.

Rosemary may help increase the activity of detoxification enzymes. An extract of rosemary, termed carnosol, has inhibited the development of both breast and skin tumors in animals. We haven't found any studies done on humans. Rosemary can be used as a seasoning. It can also be consumed as a tea: Use 1 tsp. dried leaves per cup of hot water; steep for 15 minutes.

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http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/immune/immune1.htm (lots of info, such as why to use only OLIVE OIL instead of most 'regular' oils, and expecially to avoid rancid or stale oils. Lots more, like about NATURAL INTERFERON!)

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ADMITTEDLY, I have NOT looked at linked info to follow-("Cheyenne Cin"):

Bee Pollen

http://www.graminex.com/pollen_extract_excerpt.php

Foods High in Selenium
Brazil nuts, 1/4 cup 380 mcg
Snapper, baked, 3 oz. 148 mcg
Halibut, baked, 3 oz. 113 mcg
Salmon, baked, 3 oz. 70 mcg 

(Whole Wheat)Lasagna,with meat 34 mcg
Wheat germ, toasted, 1/4 cup 28 mcg
Molasses, blackstrap, 2 Tbls. 25 mcg
Sunflower seeds, 1/4 cup 25 mcg
Granola, 1 cup 23 mcg
Ground beef, 3 oz. 22 mcg
Chicken, breast, baked, 3 oz. 17 mcg
Bread, whole wheat, 1 slice 16 mcg
Egg, 1 12 mcg
Milk, 2%, 1 cup 6 mcg
Cheese, cheddar, 1 oz. 4 mcg

RDA for Selenium
Age RDA
0.0-0.5 10 mcg
0.5-1.0 15 mcg
1-6 20 mcg
7-10 30 mcg
11-14 (men) 40 mcg
(women) 45 mcg
15-18 50 mcg
19+ (men) 70 mcg
(women) 55 mcg
Pregnant 65 mcg
Lactating 75 mcg