How Alkaline Water Benefits Your Immune System

The food you consume and the polluted air you inhale, create a lot of acidic waste in your body. Even the tap water that comes to your home is not safe as it contains many pollutants, chlorine, fluorine and other minerals in it. Consuming alkaline water benefits your health and improves your immune system.

Alkaline water benefits your health by neutralizing acids and removing toxins from your body. Tap water normally has a pH value of 7 and is neutral. Alkaline water has a pH range of 7.2 to 9 that is safe for the body. The pH value describes the acidity or alkalinity in a water sample. If the body is excessively acidic, there is a lack of oxygen available in your body cells, and you will not be healthy. When your body is alkaline, and it is getting sufficient minerals from the food and drinks to remain alkaline, your blood will function normally. Providing oxygen to the body cells and removing all acidic waste from the body is significant for health.

The extra amount of acid present in your body weakens your immune system and can cause several diseases. On the other hand, if your body is alkaline, it will function better. Alkaline water acts to neutralize the acids present in the body and enables it to flush out the toxic, acidic waste.

Alkaline antioxidant water can be prepared in a number of ways. One of the best and economical ways is by ionizing the water. Ionized water is alkaline, rich in antioxidants and is free from bacteria as well as other volatile organic substances such as chlorine, fluorine and harmful trace metals present in tap water. It also contains an excess of oxygen atoms and retains healthy minerals. Ionized alkaline water benefits the health as it makes the passage of water between your body-cells easier. Alkaline water provides oxygen to the body cells to get rid of toxins. Antioxidants are important to improve your health. The ionized water has a higher antioxidant level, and is more beneficial for your health and immune system. ORP signifies the Oxidation Reduction Potential of ionized water and measures the antioxidant level of ionized water. A higher antioxidant level in the ionized water implies that it is better for your health. The alkaline ionized water is more beneficial than clean water to save you from abdominal complaints and chronic diarrhea, and it shows a better overall improvement. Alkaline mineral water reduces bone resorption. Ionized water protects the body against oxidative damage to protein RNA and DNA.

Alkaline water benefits your body to fight the aging process and numerous degenerative diseases. As alkaline water is more easily absorbed into your body-cells, it reduces the build up of acidic waste in your body and makes it less susceptible to degenerative diseases including gout, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure as well as heart disease. The high pH water forces the stomach to generate more hydrochloric acid that produces more bicarbonate to go into your bloodstream. With aging, the bicarbonate and as such the alkalinity in the blood stream reduces and the body is unable to neutralize acids. The increase in acid level causes cholesterol, uric acid, kidney stones, etc. Alkaline ionized water also refills the deficit of calcium, prevents bone loss, and also prevents kidney disorders. Thus, the alkaline water benefits your immune system in several ways.

Although alkaline water can greatly benefit your health, there are a few things you need to know about it before you start. You can visit http://www.alkalinebenefits.org/ for great information on alkaline balance and the best ways to implement it in your own life.

Alkaline Benefits also contains other useful information about how to live healthier. This includes consuming various alkaline superfoods such as spirulina, wheatgrass and chlorella.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachel_M_Turner

Building Your Immune System

Most of us have been told that we all have cancer cells in our bodies. Even with our wonderful diagnostic tools, these cells have to multiply to a few billion before they are detected. When a person's immune system is strong it can generally destroy the cells or keep them from multiplying and forming tumors. It is equally important to build a strong immune system once diagnosed with cancer... So, what can you do to build and maintain a strong immune system?

A strong immune system has a proper acid-akali balance. Disease and illness thrive in an acidic environment. To test your acid-alkali-balance purchase some nitrazine paper strips. Upon arising put on strip in your mouth along with putting a strip under the first urine stream of the day. Compare the color of your strips with the chart of the back of the box. If you are less than 6.5 pH begin restoring your acid-akali-balance by forming the following new habits.

Add freshly squeezed lemon to your water, tea, baking and cooking. Lemon helps restore and maintain your internal "climate" at a healthy pH. Organic apple cider vinegar can be used in place of lemon in baking and cooking since is also. It is also alkaline.

Eat a diet that is primarily whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables along with organic fresh meats. Processed foods, meats, dairy products and simple carbohydrates are acidic foods. You do need protein to help your liver make a very important stess-fighter called albumin, so choose organic fresh meats but do not make meat the "center attraction" of your meals. A good rule of thumb for processed food ingredient list is: if you cannot pronounce it - don't eat it!

In addition to a proper acid-alkali balance you need rest, plenty of water, and little or no coffee and sugar to build and maintain a strong immune system. Sleep is your bodies restoration system. Additionally, sleep balances your hormone levels - and we women know how important that is, right? Proper hydration helps your body rid itself of toxins. Even necessary toxins like chemotherapy. All toxins are a burden to immune system and without proper hydration it will never work optimally. Divide your body weight by 2 and that is the minimum number of ounces of water you should drink each day. If the taste of water is less than desirable due to drugs you are on - add 1 ounce of cranberry juice or lemon juice to each 8 ounces. Caffeine and refined sugar are the two worst things for your immune system. Caffeine dehydrates you and robs you of your minerals and vitamins AND sugar so weakens your immune system that it should be classified as food for cancer. The most important thing you can do to build your immune system is to eliminate corn syrup and refined (cane) sugar completely from your diet. You can substitute agave, stevia, rice syrup and honey for corn syrup and cane sugar - but avoid artificial sweeteners that are even more toxic to your body.

These supplements can aid in building up your immune system:

Flor-essence, Green Tea and Essiac Tea

Anti-oxidant vitamins - these are primarily vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E

Ginseng, oil of oregano and olive leaf are great immune building herbs

When your body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and/or radiation, your immune system becomes more compromised. That is why you can succumb to complications, illnesses and infections that you could normally fight off.

By not feeding your body foods that nourish cancer cells, these cells will starve. Remember - the main culprit is refined sugar. White refined flour comes in a close second along with processed foods and meats that have had hormones added. Conversely NOT eating these foods strengthens your immune system.

Cancer may be an indication of multiple immune deficiencies. Enlist the help of a friend to research potential genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors in addition to your diet.

Cancer cells cannot survive in an oxygenated environment. Daily exercise and deep breathing helps get more oxygen down to the cellular level where cancer cells exist... and that's good. Keep that in mind the next time you break a sweat while exercising.

Carin Hansen was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40. After a long battle she emerged victorious and began a one-on-one wardrobe and beauty consulting business for other women journeying through cancer. She has been a model, actress, talent agency owner, benefit founder, certified acting/modeling instructor, writer, speaker and passionate cancer advocate. Please visit Carin's website at http://www.bridges2beauty.net for information and encouragement that is helpful and hopeFULL. You can purchase a hard copy of her book "A Woman's Cancer Journey Primer" or upload a free PDF on the website also. It is important to remember that Carin is not a physician and does not subscribe to or recommend any particular medical procedure or alternative treatment. She strongly urges you to consult with your Primary Physician, Oncologist and/or Surgeon before implementing any of her suggestions found in her articles, newsletter, blogs and books.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carin_G_Hansen

Naturally Boost Your Immune System This Winter

Flu season is upon us so now is the time to start your plan to boost your immune system to stay health and spread holiday cheer instead of holiday airborne flu droplets.

Below is a sure fire plan to stay cold and flu free this winter. Follow these steps to insure your family's holiday season goes exactly as planned.

Natural Plan to Prevent Cold and Flu:

1. Raw Foods - Eat lots of colorful fruits and vegetables
Eating plenty of raw fruits and vegetables is a great way to keep your body alkaline and less acidic. Nasty cold and flu germs don't like this kind of environment and it makes it hard for them to stick around in the body. If you're not a fan of eating your veggies try blending them into a smoothie for a healthy snack.

2. Avoid all white sugars and processed foods
I know, I know, it's the holiday season. If you really want to stay healthy you must have the power to avoid the sweets and junk food. You will feel so much better. You will have fewer cravings and let's face it, in the long run your body will thank you. If you splurge, keep it at a minimum.

3. Drink lots of water
Good ol' H2O. Try very hard to avoid anything with dyes, HFCS, and artificial sweeteners as they suppress the immune system. Try to drink at least 64oz per day. It's best to drink up to 100oz per day.

4. Get some SLEEP!
We all don't get as much rest as we should. Take time to relax and slow down this holiday season. Try to get an extra hour or two each night especially if you're already fighting the cold or flu bug.

5. Vitamin D3
We don't get enough from the sun and most people are deficient. Research into Vitamin D shows great evidence of a natural way to boost your immune system. Many other health benefits make this a must have in your winter health plan.

6. Liquid Echinacea
It's been long know that the herb Echinacea helps prevent and fight off cold and flu symptoms especially respiratory infections. The liquid form is potent and a must take at the first sign of symptoms.

7. Garlic or garlic oil
Garlic and garlic oil is an excellent way to protect you and your children's ears from infections this winter. You can even chop up fresh garlic cloves and eat them raw or in recipes.

8. Lysine
Lysine not only gets rid of cold sores it also works on strep throat as well. If you feel a sore throat coming on it's time to down some lysine. You can get this in liquid or tablet form.

9. Vitamin C
Everyone knows about vitamin C. It can also be found in green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits. Avoid fruit juices to get vitamin C. Fruit juices are high in added refined sugars.

10. Exercise
Move your body. It's what we're designed to do. Exercise is great for healthy living, feeling awesome, and it helps the lymphatic system drain all the unwanted garbage out of our bodies.

11. Probiotics
We all need a healthy gut. Thanks to all the processed foods and antibiotics it's hard to maintain one. One of the absolute best ways to boost your immune system is to keep your gut healthy with good bacteria. You can find a good probiotic in capsules or tablets.

12. Get adjusted
The immune system and nervous system are hardwired to work together to create optimal physical responses in the body. Chiropractors work to find areas of spinal dysfunction compression or irritation to neural pathways. Spinal adjustments reduce stress on the nervous system allowing for normal physical responses that includes immune system function.

That's a wrap on our natural ways to boost your immune system this winter. Remember that even small changes can have a big impact.

Click the following link to learn more on how you can stay healthy by using the anti-inflammatory diet. You can find more information about Dr. Steve Smiley and his practice Zionsville Chiropractic and Rehabilitation on the Google+ page.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Steve_Smiley