What Are Immunity Shots?
Immunity shots, not to be confused with vaccines, are a mix of fruit juices, herbs and spices that are presumed to boost the strength of the immune system. They are small in volume, hence the title “shot,” but presumed to be large in their impact on the immune system. There are several versions of the elixir but all contain ingredients which show evidence of effectiveness in preventing or negating illness.
Immunity Shot Ingredients
The immune booster will usually contain apple cider, one or more citrus juices, a combination of ginger, garlic, turmeric and maybe some honey. Citrus juices contain vitamin C long known to help fight symptoms of the common cold. Ginger and turmeric have long been used as anti-inflammatories. None of these ingredients are considered a threat to your health.You can find recipes online for immune boosting shots that include many of the above mentioned ingredients.
In the midst of a pandemic with flu season looming and most people living under increased stress has caused them to look for immune boosting help. Many managing work (often at home) while supervising children participating in remote learning could all use some help. Stressed immune systems can quickly become compromised systems.
What Is an Immune Booster Shot?
An immune booster shot can also be identified as an injection that includes vitamin B12 and B complex vitamins that promote a healthy immune system. Zinc is often included in the shot due to zinc’s properties that seem to boost the immune system and promote wound healing. This type of immune booster shot can be administered incidentally when the immune system seems to be stressed. When there is a chronically weakened immune system it can be administered on a regular basis to help promote a healthy immune system.
Vitamin B12 is necessary for a healthy immune system but its deficiency is fairly common especially among vegetarians and vegans.
How Can You Naturally Boost the Immune System?
You can improve your immune system by incorporating some simple lifestyle changes. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a reminder to wash our hands frequently, keep our hands away from our face, and observe social distancing behavior. These behaviors will help us avoid exposure to many common illnesses.
Staying well rested is vital for healthy immunity. Lack of rest and insufficient sleep place a strain on the body which impacts the immune system. If you have trouble sleeping try incorporating an exercise routine into your day. Make sure you do what is necessary to unwind before going to bed and that your sleep area is relaxing.
It is possible to obtain additional vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics and antioxidants from immune boosting supplements. Always inform your doctor when you are planning to add supplements to your regimen to be sure they will not interfere with other medications you are prescribed. And always use a good quality supplement.
Is Ginger an Immune Booster?
Ginger is an anti-inflammatory meaning it reduces inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, or invasion by a bacteria or virus. There is evidence that ginger can boost the immune system, helping fight infection. Ginger has long been used to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract. Another natural anti-inflammatory is turmeric. There are indications that garlic may help resist colds and minimize symptoms should you become infected with a cold virus.
If you are interested in opting for natural immune boosters rather than chemically produced compounds, consider talking with an herbal specialist or finding reliable reading sources.
What Is the Best Immune Booster Supplement?
Immune booster supplements are usually made up of multi vitamins and/or probiotics.
Most people who live in developed countries and eat a wide selection of healthy foods get the nutrition necessary for a healthy immune system. If you are already healthy and incorporate too many supplements you can send your immune system into overdrive which is unhealthy. An overactive/over-responsive immune system can trigger autoimmunity causing the body to attack its own systems.
Always check with your doctor before adding supplements to your regimen. If you have a health condition that compromises your immune system, check with your doctor to determine if you need to include an immune booster in your diet.
What Foods Help Fight Infection?
Simple but effective changes in your diet can bump up the immune system. It is well known that vitamin C helps with cold and flu viruses and comes in great supply from citrus fruit. To keep calories and sugar to a minimum it is best to consume the fruit instead of juices. To your list of foods high in vitamin C you might want to include kiwi, broccoli and cantaloupe with your oranges.
We are learning that much of our health begins in the gut with prebiotics and probiotics. Among health-promoting prebiotics are onions, garlic, leeks, bananas and artichokes. Probiotics are healthy gut bacteria that are found in yogurt, kefir, tempeh, sauerkraut and other fermented foods.
Other foods that are immune boosters are those containing antioxidants. You find antioxidants in colorful fruits including berries, and vegetables such as carrots, beets and spinach.
There is also the collection of anti-inflammatories including ginger, turmeric and garlic you can incorporate into your diet. Consider spices such as cloves, cinnamon and cayenne in your diet.
Does Juicing Boost the Immune System?
Juicing when used alongside a healthy diet does have its benefits. Too often in our culture we gravitate to high carb, high sugar snacks. An excess of these items in your diet can lead to chronic health issues including obesity, cardiovascular issues and diabetes.
Juicing extracts the juices from fresh fruits and vegetables. You receive the benefits of the complex carbohydrates, lots of vitamins, fiber and all the things fresh fruits and vegetables provide. Citrus fruits contain vitamin C which provides protection from colds and viruses. If you add in a selection of the anti-inflammatory herbs and spices to your juice you have provided an additional boost for your immune system. Juicing fruits and vegetables also provides additional healthy antioxidants to your diet.Try combining lemon juice, ginger, honey and water to make an immune boosting lemon drink.
Doing your own juicing at home helps you avoid the excess sugar in processed juices. If you do not have a juicer, purchase juices with no added sugar.
Is Green Tea Good for the Immune System?
Studies do indicate that green tea is good for the immune system. It is particularly effective against the flu virus. It seems EGCG, a polyphenol in green tea, binds itself to the flu virus blocking its ability to infect other cells. It also activates and aids the production of a type of white cell that is especially effective against the flu virus. Green tea is also loaded with antioxidants which are beneficial to the immune system. In testing, participants who used green tea had a lower incidence of flu and flu-like symptoms. If you add a little lemon (vitamin C) to your tea you’ll have quite an immune booster.
Supplements Can Help
Everything in the body comes down to the cellular level. Viruses are antigens that invade and attack the body. The body produces macrophages which destroy the antigen through the process of autophagy. Spermidine is a compound which shows possibility in promoting autophagy which may lead to an improved immune system. Always check with your doctor before adding supplements to your regimen.
