A healthy immune system can defeat invading pathogens, but it is exactly that: an entire synergistic and working system, not a single entity. In order for people to optimize immune function, balance and harmony from a holistic viewpoint and approach is required.

The most obvious part of the immune system is what you can see. For example, the largest and first basic defense system to our immunity is our skin, since it acts as the primary boundary between germs and your body. Skin is tough and generally impermeable to bacteria and viruses.

Most people know of the common household staple, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) as something that deodorizes the fridge, is added to baked goods and makes those 5^th grade volcano science projects super neat to watch when combined with vinegar, but decades of continued studies are revealing baking soda’s amazing natural abilities to fight infectious diseases, increase athletic performance, diminish acne, shrink cancer, clear the complexion, prevents foot odor and athletes feet, relieve heartburn and indigestion, kill off colds, influenza, and acid reflux (just to list a few).

Live happier and healthier: A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine notes that, “People who tend to think positively may reduce their risk of dying from heart related conditions and stroke by over 55%!”

Better skin? A study from Colorado State University at Fort Collins found that eating an excess of food that spike insulin levels (cake, soda and white bread) as well as refined carbs and fried foods may stimulate hormones responsible for oil overproduction and clogged pores. Cut back on the junk foods for a zit and wrinkle free face.

Get more zinc and possibly more love: oysters are packed with zinc, a mineral that enhances the immune system. One large oyster supplies a day’s worth of zinc, which also repairs and maintains muscle tissue. Many people do not get enough zinc in their diets and may leave themselves at risk for lowered immune system. Oysters are also a classic aphrodisiac for both men and women. Eat organic and fresh oysters a few times a month!

A study published today and featured on CNN’s Eatocracy, says that food fraud is on the rise. This serious problem should be very concerning to consumers and the general public, especially you and me. Food fraud is described as intentionally misleading consumers on products purchased by diluting, replacing and watering down food ingredients without labeling the switch. Why is so bad? Consumers are not getting what they think they are paying top dollar for. Shockingly, more than 800 new products have been added to the list of fraudulent foods, a steep 60% rise from last year. That is staggering! Reactions from consumers scream outrage, but there are many steps you, as an individual, can do to decrease your risk of being duped into believing your meticulous efforts of reading labels, buying fresh, organic, natural, and healthy foods serve in the best interest of you and your family’s well being.

An up and rising superfood, Black Cumin, is getting more notoriety as a liver protecting, immunity defending, headache reducing, and chronic disease all-around-problem-solver. As part of the buttercup family, the black cumin seeds are dark, thin, and crescent-shaped when whole. Today, these seeds are popularly used as a seasoning spice in different cuisines across the world. The chefs love it due to their nutty flavor, but black cumin seeds also have a wealth of important health benefits. This black seed has been around for thousands of years and encases important medicinal oils that been used in Arabian, Mediterranean, African (especially Egyptian), Indian and East Asian countries. Sold mostly as a supplement, black cumin seed is also known by its Latin name, Nigella sativa. The oil is extracted, concentrated and packaged most commonly as gel cap.

As the largest eliminatory organ on the human body and helps to detox the toxins away from the body, it is no wonder people obsess over the tone, tightness, color, age and health of the skin. From the forhead to the back of the lower legs, everything from expensive cremes, body butters, lasers, skin wraps and saunas are used religiously by people of all ages, in hopes that we obtain our perfect idea of outer, ageless beauty: Beautiful and glowing, cellulite and vein free skin.

With flu season peaking in January or Feburary in the United States (but starting as early as October), it is not suprising to hear coughing, sneezing and doctors saying they have, “no more appointments available until a few weeks out.” It seems that the media reports a “worse than last year” flu epidemic every year, yet the masses are still conflicted about the best ways to protect the body from getting such sicknesses. Vaccination or not? Antibiotics or homeopathic route to wellness? While the education on all sides of the sickness issue may cause mountains of confusion, this article will highlight the facts of exactly what cold and flu symptoms are, so you can better identify what “get better quick” perscriptions and methods to take.

It may seem like a double edged sword: fulfilling number one on the New Year’s resolution list, “Lose weight and exercise more”, cut to heal, foot, and joint pain. It is actually a blessing to work yourself toward health and fitness pain free. Most people complain of joint and back pain from the high impact of exercising (namely running or other compounding sports), or muscle soreness from pushing through a tough workout or a lack of quality stretching. People hang motivational posters of muscular athletes drenched in sweat with sayings such as, “It will hurt, take time, require dedication, willpower, sacrifice . . . but it will be worth it.” But with pain in play, many people put their New Year’s resolutions to test. Is this why the majority of people who declare their new year’s resolution and goals on the 1^st of the year later admit failing to reach them before the year is over?

One of the most amazing sources of anti-inflammatory properties on the planet, coconut oil is being hailed for its many healing capabilities. Not only is it anti-aging for the outside skin, hair and nails, it is repairing for the internal body as well. Read the infograph below to understand an overview the many ways coconut oil is what I consider a superfood:

An article from the Human Nutrition, Applied Nutrition Journal and US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health reported that individuals/patients on a surgical, a medical, an accident service and an elective orthopedic ward were given foods that reflected a very low daily intake of iron and vitamins as compared to those recommended for healthy adults. When I worked in hospitals and rehabilitation centers in Florida and in California, I noticed that people recovering from major surgery, those battling cancer, patients that were recovering from pneumonia and those in hospital beds for chronic illnesses were given white bread, canned (saturated with sodium) soups and canned (marinated in sugar water) fruits, and Jell-O. I questioned many times to myself and to the dietary staff, as well as hospital/rehabilitation management how people (most of them seniors) were supposed to recuperate when we are feeding them junk food that was essentially “dead”?