Optimum health - building a strong immume system with amino acids
Building a strong immune system
Our bodies immune system is fantastic in how it works
Our immune system will only work properly if it is properly cared for. This means getting all of the nutrients your body needs and providing yourself a environment of living that supports good immunity. This includes avoiding the things that will suppress your immunity or even cause an unhealthy response to your environment or lifestyle.
If you feel bad this is a good sign that your immune system needs help.
The important immune system builder's are - good nutrition, avoiding environmental pollutants and leading a stress free life. If you feel bad then something is out of balance in your body.
Naturally increasing your body's defense against disease.
How to stimulate your immune system to work at it's best.
The best way to stimulate your immune systems response to disease is to get your body to produce glutathione (the master antioxidant). Glutathione production can be stimulated by taking three amino acids. Amino acids as a whole are know as the building blocks of cellular structure. Amino acids individually or combined can stimulate many different body processes.
Increase the amino acid supplements that stimulate Glutathione production by your liver for maximum immune response.
The three amino acids for the body's production of it's own glutathione are:
Glutathione is produced in your body from the following three amino acids - cysteine (NAC), glutamic acid and glycine. It's that simple to get your body to produce more glutathione (the master antioxidant) - take these three amino acids.
* One important note - these amino acids should be taken on an empty stomach if you want to get maximum results.
* Always take your supplements with a large glass of water. I take my supplements with a 16 ounce glass of distilled water. You need the water to give the body the liquid it needs to transport all of these great nutrients to every cell in your body. link - why distilled water.
* Please don't take your supplements coffee, tea or sodas to do this important cellular transport job. These drinks are a part of the reason your immune system is not working at it's peak.
What do I mean by take amino acids on an empty stomach?
An empty stomach is when you haven't eaten for at least one hour and you will not eat for at least one hour. An even longer time with an empty stomach is even better.
Why should amino acids be taken on an empty stomach?
If any amino acid or combination of amino acids are to be taken therapeutically (to stimulate a body response) they should be taken on an empty stomach.
This is because all foods are amino acids. Therefore, if you are stimulating a body response with an amino acid you should take amino acids in combination with just the amino acids that work on this one process that you want to stimulate. Otherwise the amino acids in the food will combine with the supplemental amino acids and become a food instead of a body response.
Timing is important in taking amino acids
When using a combination of amino acids to build glutathione it is important to know that the amino acids should be taken on an empty stomach, with a large glass of water.
An empty stomach is where you have not eaten for at least one hour and then you should not eat for 60 minutes after taking this combination. The reason for this is that foods are amino acids and in taking amino acids as supplements they work therapeutically better without food mixed with them.
More about distilled water.
I believe that he best water to use in taking supplements is distilled water. You can buy distilled water at most stores or you can distill your own water. Do not confuse "pure water" with "distilled water" there is a difference. We use the WaterWise distiller for all of our drinking and food preparation. This is the best water distiller that I have personally found available. Just be sure to use the included cleaner on a regular basis.
WaterWise also has a good water filter to put on your shower head to take out many of the impurities in your water supply. Remember you skin is the largest organ of your body. Don't let it absorb all of the chemicals that are in the public water supply.
At this link are my thoughts on why distilled water. These thoughts should give you a better understanding of the molecular structure of water and our bodies.
What vitamins help the body stimulate the Master Antioxidant Glutathione?
When I need my body's immune system to be working at it's peak I take the amino acids cysteine (NAC), glutamic acid and glycine to stimulate glutathione production. I do not take these amino acids on an every day basis.
If there are concerns about having top immune system response then I take the following supplements. In fact I usually take a combination of these vitamins on a regular basis.
Regular supplementation with the nutrients Vitamins E and C, Alpha-lipoic acid, Vitamin B6, Riboflavin and Selenium and the amino acid, Methionine and SAMe, can help the body produce its own glutathione naturally.
I do not take these all at one time. I take them spread out through out the day. I don't want to flood my body with more that the body can process at any one time. These supplements should be taken with some food. More information on portion size is available in my healthy eating section.
There has been scientific studies that have found that people who take the mineral selenium or have a high selenium level in their body have a 50% less chance in getting many cancers. Other research has shown that selenium works best when taken with Vitamin E.
Some research show's that you should not take over 400 mcg's of selenium per day. You can have tests done to see where your selenium levels are.
Beta Glucan is considered an immune system protector.
Beta-1,3-glucan stimulates macrophages to remove cellular debris. Some research has demonstrated that it will also recognize and kill tumor cells.
Stress will suppress the immune response
Stress creates a series of biochemical events in the body the suppress the normal activity of white blood cells and places demands on the endocrine system that decreases our immune response to disease. Stress will cause our bodies to quickly deplete our system of needed nutrients. The overall result of being in a stressful environment or lifestyle will result in an impaired healing ability and of our defenses against infection being lowered.
Are you now leading a happy stress free life? I have a few suggestions on living a happy life.
More information about Glutathione.
Glutathione is one of the bodies main immune system protectors. Your body does best when it produces it's own glutathione and there are foods and supplements that will stimulate the body to produce it's own glutathione. As well as the amino acids that I have written about. Some stores sell glutathione as a supplement, this is expensive and not as effective as taking the three amino acids that stimulate your body to produce it's own glutathione. If you take store bought glutathione most of it will be depleted in the digestion process and not effectively protect your body. It's much better to stimulate your own body to make glutathione. You will do a much better job of protecting your health by stimulating your body to produce it's own glutathione.
Having a high intake of fruits and vegetables may decrease risk of certain diseases and cancers. This is because a diet of vegetables and fruit can increase the antioxidants that protect your body and stimulate glutathione production in your body. Garlic and onions are good precursors to increasing glutathione in your system.
Environment is important is staying healthy
If you live in a city I have some suggestions on living a healthier life.
- Don't drink or bath using the city water. There are too many chemicals in this water supply. It's essential that you limit your exposure to toxins for good health.
- Use an air purifier in your home. Cut down on the airborne pollution and toxins that you breath in.
- Check the environmental pollution report for your area. Are you living in a highly toxic area? I was and I moved. Life is so much better now, I feel healthy and I'm living a happy life.
Here are my suggestions on living healthy if you live in the country.
I suggest that you have the soil and well water tested by your local state environmental department. In many areas these tests are performed at no charge.
Check the environmental pollution report for the general area that you live.
If you find that you live on a piece of land that in polluted with various toxic substances you are compromising your immune system and your health. The vapors that the land gives off will affect your health.
If there are any toxins found in the water do not drink the water. There is a good reason to not bath or shower in this water as well. Our skin is the largest organ of our body and one of it's functions is giving off toxins that our body is expelling. You skin will absorb toxins that are in the air and water. Toxic water will be absorbed from a bath or shower.
These toxins will also be absorbed into your lungs from the water vapors given off in the shower. There are filters that you can use on your shower head.
Toxic land will be giving off a vapor that you breath, it will be all around you. So what do you do if you live on a piece of "toxic land"? You move as soon as you can, like move today.
A number of years ago my wife and I decided to move closer to her sisters, brothers and other relatives. They mostly lived in West Virginia, we decided to move to Tennessee which would be a short drive to visit with them. We researched many factors and decided to move to Knoxville, Tennessee. Well, our research didn't include researching the environment of this area. I had left Los Angeles because of the obvious pollution and stress of living there. After living in Knoxville for a few years we found out that the Knoxville area is considered the eighth most polluted area in the United States. It was here that I was diagnosed with cancer. We quickly moved away from the toxic environment of Knoxville. We now live in a rural mountain area of New Mexico. Here the air and water is great and it is not polluted. We get our water from a well of good mountain water. What is better, living where you live or being healthy? Believe me you can recreate your life into new healthy life. Have you thought of leading a simple life? I can highly recommend it.
The immune response can be too strong in some cases
There are disorders that can result from an immune response that is to strong or where it is directed at a body system that it should not be attacking. Improper immune response is linked to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, rheumatic heart disease, allergies, including food and environmental allergies. These are known as autoimmune or self attacking disorders. Under these conditions I would not recommend taking any immune system builder unless you consult a health professional who is knowledgeable about doing this.
More recommendations for building a strong immune system
Examine the factors affecting your health
Major immune system suppressors.
- Stress
- Incorrect Diet - Too much meat and bad fats. We should include more vegetables, fruit, grain and nuts. Nut's make a great snack sized meal.
- Environmental Toxins
- Lifestyle - Do you smoke, drink alcohol and not get enough sound relaxed sleep? These are very hard on your immune system.
- No Exercise - a brisk 20 minute walk is good. Exercise with free weights.
- Avoid over eating. I prefer six snack size meals a day.
- Sugar and a high glycemic index lessens the immune response. Can you cut down on your sugar intake without using artificial sweeteners?
What I do to increase my immune systems response
- First thing in the morning on an empty stomach I will take my own formula of Immune System Builders. This is a combination of amino acids and vitamins.
- I have one to three "green drinks" daily. I drink my green drinks on an empty stomach about thirty minutes before I eat. My Green Drinks have the following in them - Chlorella, Spirulina, Barley, Wheat Grass and a tiny amount of kelp stirred in a sixteen ounce glass of distilled water. I have seen many green drinks sold with only barley in them, in my opinion this is the cheap way to make a green drink. This is my health and my life that I am protecting. I'm worth the good stuff.
- I will also sometimes add Bee Pollen granules to my green drink. I don't use the Bee Pollen near bed time as it will keep me energized and awake.
- I eat two to six whole garlic cloves each day. Garlic has superb immune system building properties if eaten raw. In order for garlic to be at it's most effective it needs to be crushed or chewed immediately before eating. Whoa, you say... you chew whole garlic cloves? Yes, I do and I have grown to really enjoy garlic the way I pickle them. I purchase a quart of peeled garlic's then I transfer the garlic into a glass jar in which I add the pickling juice from a good pickle that I enjoy. This pickle juice pickles the garlic and adds a good flavor to it after they have soaked for a few weeks it make's them easier to eat. I will also eat a pickle after the garlic to cut the strong taste. They are very yummy this way. My wife has never complained about a garlic smell on my breath or on my body. Perhaps, this is because she likes the way I smell alive rather than the alternative. Actually, the green drinks and the garlic help detoxify the body from having an odor. In the beginning the body will have an odor while it goes through the detoxifying process. My body odor was very metallic as my body went through the detox process. My detoxification took a few months and I then I ultimately had no body odor at all, even after eating garlic. If you notice a body odor on people this is because their body immune system is trying to get rid of toxins. Once a person is toxin free the body will not have an unpleasant odor to it. Have you heard of where a woman says she loves the body odor of her husband or boyfriend? This is because they are living a healthy life. If you have a body odor then you need to consider a detoxification. In fact doing a spring and fall detoxification is a good tune up for the healthy person.
- I take a herbal formula that stimulates my liver to perform better. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that is produced in the liver. In the liver Glutathione detoxifies harmful compounds to that they can be excreted in the bile. The National Cancer Instituted found that with some diseases people with the proper glutathione level have a higher survival rate. The body can raise glutathione levels is it is supplied with the proper supplements to stimulate the body to make more of it's own Glutathione these are: cystine (NAC), glutamic acid and glycine. NAC is the most effective form of cysteine for this process. These amino acids along with B-6 and vitamin C along with magnesium and zinc will give the body a jump start in Glutathione production.
- Note: Cysteine (NAC) protects the body from chemotherapy and radiation therapy damage. If a person has diabetes they should use caution in taking cysteine as it may inactivate insulin. When taking amino acids it is recommended that they be used for two months and then cycle off of them for a month. Keep up with your good nutrition, vitamins and minerals during the cycle off amino acids period. Let you body do the work it was created to do.
- Methionine is an essential amino acid that is a powerful antioxidant. Methionine helps the digestive system detoxify toxins such as lead and other heavy metals, it also helps protect against radiation. It has been found to be a precursor to the livers production of Glutathione It is found in garlic as well as many other foods. If eating garlic or onions you will not need to supplement with methionine.
- Elation - I take my Melatonin before bedtime. Melatonin is an excellent antioxidant, but it also has the affect of helping regulate the sleep cycle and therefore getting a restful nights sleep. I strongly suggest that you add this to your natural ways to build up your immune system. There are studies that demonstrate a beneficial affect from melatonin with people who have certain cancers.
- In my home we only cook with olive oil and do not use any animal fats or margarine.
Suggested reading on building up the immune system
Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis Balch and James Balch
I suggest reading the sections on "Weakened Immune System" and "Amino Acids".
Beating Cancer with Nutrition - by Patrick Quillin and Noreen Quillin - published by Nutrition Times Press - Tulsa, Oklahoma
8 Weeks To Optimum Health by Andrew Weil - Alfred A. Knopf Inc. Publisher - New York
Are you ready to change your health and your life. I highly suggest that you read this book. You will be informed and motivated.
Cancer & Natural Medicine - A Textbook of Basic Science and Clinical Research - by John Boik - published by Oregon Medical Press
This book is written regarding scientific research that has been done on cancer and natural healing methods. It is written in a technical manner that is suited for a reader that is versed in medical and scientific terms. In other words it's a tough, but good, read for the average person.
This book does give excellent information for the person who wants to know what research has been done on a specific cancer and the natural methods that have shown effective results in their use. The author gives good definitions when using a new word or research term where the average person may not know the definition of this word or term. I found this very useful and educational as you may find your health care provider or cancer specialist using these same medical/technical words in discussing your health with you and you are getting lost in the conversation.
In fact I suggest taking a digital tape recorder to all meetings with your doctor. It's a good way to recall the information that you were given.
Links to health information on regaining your good health. Strengthen the immune system.
Link to Heavenly Acres - Describing a mostly vegetable based diet
Link to Science Daily article on Beta Glucan
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At this time I do not answer
individual health questions.
Do what is best for you!
Follow your inner knowing...
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