5 tips to boost immune health

Dozens of vitamins, natural remedies, and supplements to strengthen the body's defenses against cold and flu can be found in any health food store, but the following tips are better: Five simple ways to use everyday habits and food to keep the immune system strong.

1- Raw fruits and veggies

Fruits and vegetables are considered a healthy part of almost every diet, and make up the biggest section of Canada's Food Guide Pyramid, with a recommended 7-10 servings per day for most adults.

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Fruits and vegetables nourish the body with water, fiber, natural healthy sugars and vitamins, and raw produce is even better for immune health because it provides live enzymes that aid in digestion and help the body to process toxins.

2- Avoid refined sugar

The harmful effects of sugar are still hotly contested by doctors and alternative health care practitioners, but there's enough anecdotal evidence to suggest that eliminating sugar from the diet can help most people think more clearly, shed pounds, regain more energy, and boost immune health.

3- Eat more protein

The human body needs protein in order to rebuild cells, replace damaged ones, and to create the enzymes and other chemicals that the human animal runs on. If you don't normally focus on getting enough protein in each meal, adding more lean protein to the diet is a great immune booster.

4- Get more sleep

It's not true that everyone requires the same eight hours of sleep per night, but studies do indicate that regularly going short on sleep compromises immune health. To fend off the office flu this year, try catching up on sleep by going to bed just an hour earlier most nights.

5- Probiotics or friendly bacteria for support

Much of the body's immune system may rely on the health of the gut, so anyone looking for immune system boosters should prioritize intestinal health. Whatever your diet is like, you can do your body a favor by adding probiotic supplements like acidophilus and bifidus to your diet.

These "friendy bacteria" can be found in supplement form as well as in yogurts, drinks and more. They colonize the gut and help the body to absorb nutrients, eliminate wastes and strengthen your native immunity. They also help to fend off overgrowth of other, harmful bacteria that cause digestive upset, gas, bloating and yeast infections.

These simple, everyday immune boosters are a terrific way to turn over a new leaf in the New Year, or to fend off a winter (or summer) flu bug.

What kind of immune boosters do you use? Feel free to add your suggestions and ideas in the comments section below.