by BJ Armstrong

April Cold with dropping rain
Willows and lilacs bring again,
The whistle of returning birds
And trumpet-lowing of the herds.      -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

It seems our weather changes every few days. Is it Spring yet? Will it snow tomorrow? Are we going to have a hot summer? Is Winter over? Our immune system takes a beating with these ever-changing days of weather. We can't control the weather but we can protect our health by making sure our immune system is in good condition.

The immune system is our internal defenses designed to protect our body from assault of disease-causing viruses:

Cold, flu, cancer, fungi, and parasites. Your immune system fights a continuous battle against these pests. Here's what you can do to strengthen your immune system:

* Reduce intake of caffeine,
  alcohol and tobacco.
* Exercise
* Eat a low-fat high-fiber
  diet
* Reduce intake of sugar
* Get plenty of rest
* Eat unprocessed food
* Take supplements

Eating right can keep your immune system running strong. Besides a diet based mainly on whole grains, fruits and vegetables, here's what the experts say: Drink orange juice every day, along with eating broccoli, spinach, cantaloupe and strawberries.

Vitamin A deficiency causes damage to the respiratory tract and its though that bacteria and viruses take advantage of the damage.

Eating green, leafy vegetables and drinking milk will help. A body needs 5000 units of Vitamin A daily.

Researchers found that when Vitamin B6 was taken out of some healthy elderly people's diet, immune response went down. Whether you're old or young, you can boost your Vitamin B6 intake by eating chick peas, turkey, potatoes, bananas, eating prunes or drinking prune juice.

There is a general agreement in the medical community that Vitamin C is vital to the immune system. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Many nutrition experts recommend that you get at least 500 milligrams a day.

Vitamin D is a key player in a healthy immune system. This nutrient is found in eggs and milk and of course, sunlight.

Vitamin E helps prevent lowered immune response. Experts generally recommend 400 units a day. But if you're taking anticoagulant drugs, you should not take Vitamin E.

Not only is Iron an important mineral for a healthy immune system function, but iron deficiency is fairly common.

Like Iron, Zinc is crucial for making sure the immune system is working properly.

Good nutrition is an important key to having a healthy immune system. Experts recommend taking a multivitamin/mineral supplement daily. Medical researchers recognize the connection between good nutrition and the strength of your immune system. They agree that vitamin and mineral deficiencies at different ages can cause your immune system to falter in its important work.

Researchers also agree that specific nutrients play an important role in keeping your system free of disease and infection. There's also a good deal of research that supports the idea of taking a multivitamin/multi-mineral supplement for adults.

I've been to the doctor three times since the beginning of 2004 and the doctor suggested it may be my immune system and to take a multivitamin. I'm taking Centrium silver. It's got from A to Zinc in it and specially formulated for adults. I'm not promoting any particular brand of vitamins. There's many good brands on the market. If in doubt, ask your doctor. Studies have shown that people taking a multivitamin/mineral supplement every day have half as many colds, flu and other infection-related illnesses. And when they did get sick, those taking the supplements recover in half the time. So, advice from my doctor and myself .. if you've been sick a lot this winter .... take your vitamins.

God has given you this day to use as you will ... you can waste it or you can use it for good. ---- Selected

Many receive advice, few profit by it. ---- Pubilius Syrus