Immune-Boosting Foods, Supplements, & Advanced Therapies

The immune system is our “army on the inside” that protects our bodies from the common cold and flu as well as more serious illnesses linked to age-related decline such as chronic disease and even cancer. Because the immune system is integral to our overall wellness and longevity, it is important to not only support it but optimize it.

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Below we consider immune-boosting foods, supplements, and advanced services to take your immune health to the next level.

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Immune-Boosting Foods

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Did you know 75% of your immune system is in your gut?

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Your gut microbiome, a collection of bacteria located in the large intestine, protects your body from potential invaders by eliminating harmful bacteria and viruses. The bacteria in the gut microbiome actually communicate with immune cells when needed and prompt an attack on pathogens, fungi, viruses, parasites, and more.

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Therefore, one of the most effective ways to promote immune health is by supporting the health of your gut through quality food and nutrients:

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Garlic

Full of flavor and antioxidants, studies show garlic acts as an antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal. Garlic also helps boost overall health as it combats free radicals that contribute to chronic conditions such as neurodegenerative illnesses, heart disease, and certain cancers. Garlic is most effective as an immune-booster when raw as heavily processed garlic loses many of its benefits.

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Mushrooms

Mushrooms are rich in selenium, vitamin B2, and vitamin B3, all of which are needed for healthy immune function. Mushrooms also contain polysaccharides, which aid in activating an immune response.

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Red Bell Peppers

Bell peppers, specifically red peppers, are packed with vitamin C. On average, red bell peppers contain 127 mg of vitamin C (fulfilling the daily requirement). Vitamin C is influential in your body’s adaptive immune system, the specialized immune response against invaders. As an antioxidant, vitamin C is also helpful in combating inflammation.

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Spinach

Full of vitamin C, antioxidants, and beta carotene, spinach is effective in warding off infections. These nutritional benefits are best gained from raw spinach or lightly cooked to keep these vitamins and minerals intact.

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Shellfish

Zinc is an essential mineral needed in just small amounts to maintain robust immune function. By eating shellfish such as oysters, crab, lobster, and mussels you can obtain nearly all the zinc you need.

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Turmeric

In addition to providing a ton of flavor, studies show that turmeric provides effective immune support and antiviral benefits.

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Green Tea

Numerous types of tea provide antioxidants that support healthy immune function. Green tea is particularly notable because it contains high values of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant proven to enhance immune function. Green tea also contains L-theanine, which improves the response of T cells.

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Elderberries

Elderberries are becoming increasingly popular and can even be found in supplement form due to their immune-boosting properties. This is because they are packed with flavonoids and other compounds that improve your body’s response to colds, viruses, and bacterial infections.

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Acai Berries

Similar to elderberries, acai berries are also packed with beneficial flavonoids that support immune function

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Ginger

Ginger has been used as a natural remedy for hundreds of years by cultures all over the world. This is because studies show that ginger is helpful in regulating inflammation, reducing throat pain, combating nausea, and reducing chronic pain.

Immune-Boosting Supplements

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Supplements are the added support many of us need as it is difficult to get all the vitamins and nutrients necessary for optimal function through diet alone. Supplements can help take your immune health to the next level:

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Vitamin D

The immune system requires a variety of minerals and nutrients to maintain optimal function with vitamin D being one of the most crucial.

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Vitamin D3 in particular has been noted for its powerful immune-enhancing effects. In fact, over 150 years ago, doctors treated tuberculosis patients with cod-liver oil (which is rich in vitamin D3) as they recognized many of their patients experienced an improvement in their symptoms.

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Today, we know this is in part because vitamin D plays a critical role in the innate immune system (the first line of defense against invading pathogens).

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It is difficult to obtain the necessary amount of vitamin D through diet alone but dietary sources of vitamin D include fatty fish, egg yolk, beef liver, fortified milk, and more.

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Reserve your Next Health Vitamin D Shot

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Vitamin C

Vitamin C is actually an antioxidant, meaning it helps protect the body from oxidative stress (hence anti-oxidant). The oxidation of cells is typically caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that occur naturally in the body but can build up due to stress, poor diet, a lack of exercise, and more.

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Oxidative stress can severely compromise immune function, which is why powerful antioxidants such as vitamin C are a vital component of any wellness routine.

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Dietary sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and more.

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All Next Health IV Drips include vitamin C in the multivitamin base. Reserve your IV now.

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Iron

Iron is necessary for helping red blood cells transport oxygen to every cell in the body. Oxygen is required for cells to produce energy and perform all bodily functions. Thus, iron helps boost the health of immune cells and supports an improved immune response.

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Dietary sources of iron include red meat, chicken, turkey, oysters, mussels, and tuna.

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Selenium

Selenium has a powerful effect on the immune system and is effective at preventing infections. Studies show increased levels of selenium are associated with enhanced immune response. As an antioxidant, selenium also combats oxidative stress in the body and reduces inflammation levels, which compromise immune health.

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Dietary sources of selenium include brazil nuts, poultry, cottage cheese, seafood, and liver.

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If you're looking for immune-boosting oral supplements, visit our VITABOOM page that features supplement stacks curated by Next Health CEOÂ & Founder, Dr. Darshan Shah. Every stack is designed to target specific health goals and optimize your overall well-being.

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How To Get Rid Of A Cold Fast: 

IV Therapy

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Although diet and supplementation are both staples in supporting a robust immune system, an added boost such as IV Therapy is needed for many of our health optimization journeys. This is because nutrients are often destroyed in the gut and by the digestive process, meaning it is common for a suboptimal amount of nutrients to be delivered to our cells.

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IV Therapy alleviates this issue because it delivers nutrients straight into the bloodstream, allowing for maximum bioavailability. Next Health offers a range of IVs including our Super Immune IV. This custom IV supercharges your immune defenses with a potent combination of vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin B5, antivirals, and other essential vitamins and minerals that will prepare your immune system to take on any buy or virus it comes up against. The Super Immune IV also promotes liver detoxification and helps clear your body of free radicals, which cause oxidative stress and unnecessary strain on bodily systems.

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Ozone Therapy

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Ozone infusions are similar to IV drips, except they also involve the separation and oxygenation of your blood. This process encourages bio-rejuvenation, which has the potential to leave you feeling revitalized and ready to reach new heights.

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Ozone is a supercharged form of oxygen that consists of three oxygen atoms bound together (O3).  As all pathogens die in the presence of oxygen, medical ozone has been used for over a hundred years to treat infections and other conditions due to its potent effects.  

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Benefits of Ozone Therapy may include:

• Stimulating the immune system
• Reducing inflammation
• Improving circulation
• Aiding in detoxification
• Delaying the effects of aging

Next Health offers 10 Pass Ozone Therapy. 10 pass refers to the vacuum-sealed technique that safely delivers ozone into the body, which is repeated approximately ten times per session (hence, 10 Pass Ozone Therapy).

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Cleanse and heal. Your immune system will thank you.

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Next Level Immune Health

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Due to the interconnectedness of the body, there are a variety of ways to bolster the health of your immune system.

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To learn about customized ways to improve your immunity, call or text us at: (310)-295-2075. Our medical team is experts in tailoring advanced services to your individual needs to take your health to the next level.  

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Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25593145/

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4802396/

https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169918/nutrients

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https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/garlic-fights-colds-and-flu