Improve Your Immunity

1. A-GAME: Found in fermented cod liver oil, liver, and beta-carotene-rich vegetables like carrots, spinach, and kohlrabi; Vitamin A protects against infections, increases white blood cell production, and supports T-cell function (note: beta-carotene is not easy for some to convert to active Vitamin A).

2. SUN LOVER: Vitamin D activates T-cells, decreases the severity of autoimmunity, and enables mono­ cytes to kill more viruses; best sources are sunlight, liver, grass-fed butter, fatty fish, egg yolks, and fermented cod liver oil.

3. COLD BUSTER: Vitamin C is antiviral, antibacterial, and antihistamine, boosts antibody production, and improves antibiotic therapy; enjoy papaya, red bell pepper, strawberries, and oranges, plus superfoods like camu camu, goji berries, and incan berries for a Vitamin C boost.

4. MINERAL MAGIC: Zinc and selenium both boost immunity; favorite foods to include to amp up these immune-supporting minerals are liver, beef, oysters, scallops, lamb, oats, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, and brazil nuts.

5. GET HERBY: Turn to plant power to boost immune support; depending on the ailment and inner terrain, herbal favorites to explore are black elderberry, garlic, echinacea, turmeric, astragalus, goldenseal, and cat’s claw.

6. MAGICAL MUSHROOMS: Best known for fighting cancer, medicinal mushrooms contain beta-D-glucan, which helps modulate the immune system; the most common are shiitake, maitake, chaga, reishi, and turkey tail; take them as a tea, tincture, powder, capsule, or food.

** Information Provided by the Functional Nutrition Alliance