The body’s natural immune system does a superb job of helping fight disease-causing germs. However, as good as the immune system is it can fail at times, allowing germs to invade and cause illness.

While the effectiveness of boosting your immune system with lifestyle changes and vitamins is still being debated, that doesn’t mean a healthy natural lifestyle can’t help. There are many researches exploring the effects of diet, exercise, stress, supplements and vitamins on our immune system.

Lucky for us, building a naturally healthy immune system is easy. Here are a few suggestions.

Start your immune system cleanup by drinking plenty of water. Water hydrates and cleans impurities from the body. Consume about 2 liters of water each day.

Build up good bacteria to keep the bad bacteria out. Increase good bacteria by eating plenty of organic yogurt and kefir with live, active cultures. In addition, new studies suggest that gardening, specifically digging in the soil, can increase good bacteria and other healthy organisms that naturally boost your immune system. The vitamin D you absorb from the sun & the organic vegetables you might grow are an added bonus!

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Eat a well-balanced diet. Your body needs healthy nutrition to fight infections. A diet rich in healthy proteins, complex carbohydrates and fresh, organic fruits and vegetables will boost your immune system. Protein is essential for cellular repair. Good sources include legumes, eggs, fish and poultry and dairy products. Most vegetables are filled with vitamins, beta carotene’s, and antioxidants. Squeeze lemon juice into your water for a dose of vitamin C it’s a powerful antioxidant!

Get the proper amount of restful sleep. Your immune system works hard while you rest. Sleep recharges the body and your mind. It improves your mood, balances female hormones & clears your thinking.

Get plenty of exercise. Try to do some type of physical activity every day. Getting outside to exercise boosts your mood and strengthens your heart and bones as well.

Supplement your diet with vitamins, minerals, and herbs. Herbs such as garlic, barberry, black walnut, cinnamon, clover, ginger root, oregano, thyme, and turmeric can potentially kill foreign germs in your immune system. Acai, green tea, pomegranate, cranberry & blueberry are antioxidant rich fruits.

Detoxify your liver. Several times a year do a liver detox to filter out toxic substances in the blood.

Wash your hands regularly. Clean hands are important in protecting your body from germs. Wash for 20 seconds with warm water and soap. Rinse well.

Reduce or completely eliminate your sugar and caffeine intake. Sugar is simply empty calories. Fruits and vegetables have a natural sugar that benefits you. Caffeine is a diuretic and is filled with empty calories as well.

Reduce the stress levels you deal with daily. Stress raises your cortisol levels, which in turn overwhelms your immune system. Find out what your stressors are and find a way to control them. Learn anger management, exercise, and think positively. Connect with loved ones or nature or your spiritual practice. Get a pet.

Keep your home clean. Make sure the air you’re breathing is good quality. Get rid of mold & dust.

Your immune system is the main fighting force against germs. Keep it healthy, detoxed & maintained by living a healthy natural lifestyle. With a healthy immune system, you’ll not only feel great but you may live a longer life!