Naturopath Charmaine D has developed two things that will really assist you, your health and your immunity.
What even is immunity?
The dictionary states it is “the condition that permits either natural or acquired resistance to disease.”
Well then what’s a disease?
Again, the dictionary states a disease “is an illness in the human body caused by an infection or failure in one’s health rather than harm from an accident.”
Accidents may not be avoidable, but diseases could be.
How? By building your immunity. But building your immunity is no simple task. Why? Because one may not have the financial means to buy all the potions and magic pills. Because one may not have the financial means to buy the types of foods that boost immunity.
For the purpose of understanding, how about we look at immunity as being the ability for your body to fight infections before they make you sick. How can we do this affordably without depleting our finances?
The gut is one of the largest sites in our body of immunity activity, as well as the production of antimicrobial proteins. What goes into the gut (our diet) is the single most important factor in determining which microbes get to live in our intestines. Research shows that a predominantly plant-based, high-fiber diet, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes will support the growth and maintenance of beneficial microbes in our body. Some microbes are able to break down fibers into short chain fatty acids. These fatty acids stimulate immune cell activity. The fibers that do this are often referred to as prebiotics, as they feed the microbes. It can therefore be concluded that a prebiotic and probiotic containing diet will be beneficial.
Our gut is so central to our wellbeing and immunity, it makes sense that age-old wives tales of chicken soup as medicine could be legitimate. Although there is no research into chicken soup specifically and healing, when its ingredients are broken down it clearly shows its benefits. Firstly, chicken soup is light and very easy to digest when your appetite may be affected by illness. It also provides you with essential fluids and electrolytes which prevent dehydration, a common side-effect of sickness and fever. The specific ingredients used in a traditional chicken soup provide your body with a range of nutrients that support the immune system; protein and zinc from the chicken, vitamin A from carrots, vitamin C from onions and celery as well as antioxidants from the onions and herbs.
All-in-all, chicken soup is an incredibly simple way to help your body recover and increase immunity that doesn’t require lots of money or a doctor’s prescription.
For an immune-boosting chicken soup recipe by Charmaine D, click here.
The uniqueness of naturopathic medicine is that it focuses on treating now as well as preventing for later. So when you notice you are getting sick, herbal medicine and nutrients that are specifically catered for you and your situation by naturopaths work synergistically with the body to regain balance and kick infection.
Additionally, these herbal medicines and nutrients used by naturopaths also boost immune function which decreases the chance of reinfection later down the track.
These forms of nutritional support work differently to conventional antibiotics but have been shown to be just as effective, even against antibiotic resistant bacteria. When choosing between antibiotics and herbal remedies, it is important you do so with the support of your practitioner and/or doctor and take into account your sickness and severity of symptoms.
Naturopath Charmaine D has developed two things that will really assist you, your health and your immunity.
1. The Acid Alkaline Balancing program
You can find the Acid Alkaline Balancing program details here.
2. Fire Cider, a bespoke, simple tonic which will assist you in alkalising.
You can find the Fire Cider recipe here.
These two supports, and an acute consultation with Charmaine, can assist in fighting disease (or what Charmaine calls ‘acute infections’).
Let’s fight acute infections with an alkaline diet program and a simplified fire cider bespoke for you.
To briefly explain, an acidic diet has been proven to reduce the performance of the body’s immune system over time. Therefore, an alkalised diet (one full of fruit and vegetables) is the key to a strong and healthy immune system.
To understand the balance of acid and alkaline, we first must look at how it is measured. Acid and alkaline levels are measured by looking at the pH of a solution. pH stands for ‘potential hydrogen’ and is a measurement of the hydrogen-ion concentration. The lower the pH reading of a fluid, the more acidic it is. While the higher the pH reading, the more alkaline it is. The measurement range for pH levels is 0 to 14, with 7.0 being neutral.
Therefore, anything above 7.0 is considered alkalemia, and anything below 7.0 is considered acidemia.
Our body’s optimal pH level is 7.365, slightly alkaline. If the pH of the blood moves below 7.2 or above 7.6, our enzymes are unable to function properly and illness will usually occur. If too acidic, our body is less able to absorb minerals and nutrients, produces less energy in the cells, isn’t able to repair damaged cells and is less able to detoxify. Additionally, it creates an environment where tumour cells thrive, invading pathogens thrive and makes you more susceptible to fatigue and illness.
Research indicates that unless our body is working at its optimal, slightly alkaline level, it is unable to heal itself. This means that no matter the modality you have chosen to help heal any ailments or illnesses, be it vitamins, food supplements etc, if our pH is not balanced, we are unable to effectively assimilate these modalities. Our pH is the foundation for everything.
Diabetes, athlete’s foot, cancer, chronic fatigue, osteoporosis, autoimmune disease, adrenal/thyroid disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, influenza, thrush, acne, headaches, obesity and fibromyalgia are just some of the many illnesses and ailments caused by over-acidity.
By restoring the acid/alkaline balance to a more alkaline environment, we can help restore our health. It should therefore be the first step in the treatment of acute or chronic illnesses.
As a general rule of thumb, we should aim to be eating approximately 80% alkaline foods, with a maximum of 20% acid foods.
Since COVID-19 became our new normal, healthcare experts have all been advocating for alkaline diets and alkaline water for the body to build up immunity and protection against the virus.
For more in-depth information about the acid/alkaline balance, read our Alkaline blog here.
Charmaine D also works proudly in conjunction with Panaxea International wherein she is mentored about specific supplements. Their knowledge has been crucial in formulating supplements that target particular anti- bodies and boost immunity. Rather than just buying a supplement bottle that states ‘immune boosting’, Charmaine, along with Panaxea’s expertise, can bring expert advice to you for what you specifically require and create a bespoke program that is going to work for you and your circumstances.
During the winter months, it is common to seek foods and vitamin supplements that are believed to boost immunity such as vitamin C, chicken soup and tea with honey. Although we showed the importance of diet on gut health and therefore immunity, it is not the be all and end all of our immunity. The immune system is extremely complex and influenced by multiple factors. A varied, nutrient-rich, balanced diet, paired with adequate sleep, exercise and minimal stress are all tools in immunity boosting.
Let’s break down and define some of the aspects of immunity:
The body’s first line of defence from pathogens trying to enter is our innate immunity, a protective barrier which includes; skin, mucus, stomach acid, enzymes in our sweat and tears and immune system cells.
The body’s system that has learnt to recognise a pathogen is the adaptive/acquired immunity. Our spleen, thymus, bone marrow and lymph nodes are the cells and organs that regulate this.
Antigens are substances that the body has deemed foreign and harmful. These substances trigger immune cell activity. Allergens are included in this and include grass pollen, dust, food components and pet hair.
Inflammation is a very important and very normal step of the innate immune response. When healthy cells and tissues are attacked by pathogens, the immune cell called mast cells counterattack this by releasing histamines, a protein which causes inflammation. This inflammation helps to flush out the pathogens by generating pain, swelling and a release of fluids. Histamines also send the signal to release more white blood cells to further fight off the pathogens.
Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus or type 1 diabetes, cause hypersensitivity wherein immune cells attack and destroy healthy cells.
Immunodeficiency disorders can completely disable the immune system and include AIDS, leukaemia and multiple myeloma.
Some other factors that can impact our immune system are:
- Ageing: our organs become less efficient with age, including immune-related organs like the thymus or bone marrow.
- Environmental toxins: smoke, pollution and excessive alcohol suppress and impair the normal activity of immune cells.
- Excess weight: Obesity is connected with chronic inflammation.
- Poor diet: malnutrition or a lack of nutrients impair production and activity of immune cells and antibodies.
- Chronic mental stress.
- Lack of sleep and rest.
For more in-depth information about all things health and nutrition, click here.
Another suggestion by Charmaine D which she has found to be protective for so many clients is Colostrum. Although not all Colostrum are made equal so she has sourced a great one.
In 2011 there was a study conducted to determine the effectiveness of Colostrum against influenza. This study examined the levels of immune cells in mice after being given Colostrum, versus a control group who were only given saline. Both groups of mice were exposed to the influenza virus. The mice who were treated with Colostrum prior, demonstrated significantly fewer and less severe influenza symptoms as well as high immune cellular activity. Charmaine only uses the highest grade Colostrum, which is proven to be safe and effective to boost immunity against viruses and bacteria.
To conclude, there are two methods to treating disease; combative and preventive. It is Charmaine D’s belief and philosophy that rather than finding cures through combative methods and ignorance to Nature’s laws, one must focus instead on building health utilising hygienic living and natural methods of treatment.
Charmaine D is here for you and is committed to helping you move through your ailments and forward into the rest of your life.
Book in and see how she can help you!