Supplements to boost your immune systemIf only our diets provided everything we need! Almost everyone benefits from some good supplements, but some people go overboard on vitamins. A few basic supplements would benefit nearly everyone, but these will especially help those of you who have dysplasia or, like me, want to keep HPV under control after cervical cancer. This is what I take:
Vitamin D: If you live in a sunny place and get around 30 minutes daily of sun mid-day, you probably don't need to take this. Get your vitamin D level checked to be sure. Also, if you want to take 10,000 units/day for months or longer, get your level tested to be sure it's not too high. It's hard to get too high of a level taking 4000-8000 units/day. Vitamin D intake has now been recognized as decreasing your risk of breast cancer, too. Vitamin E: This is a great antioxidant, and the amounts listed in the RDA are far too low. But the RDA was developed so long ago, and it was meant to prevent diseases, not promote optimal health. Chlorella or spirulina: These help detoxify your body. They are superfoods, and they can help you increase your vegetable intake if you're like me and don't eat enough greens. All of us are exposed to environmental toxins, even in our homes from carpets and cleaners, so we all need detoxification daily. There is also some evidence that they help lower your cholesterol and blood glucose. A good brand of chlorella is from Dr. Mercola. You can even take both because spirulina has more protein than chlorella. Antioxidants: Right now, I am taking astaxanthin, but there are others to try. Resveratrol is also a potent antioxidant. The whole point with antioxidants is to combat the damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are made by normal cell processes, and your body neutralizes them. But if there are too many, like when you're stressed or sick, then the free radicals go to town on your body. They can cause premature aging, heart disease, and fatigue, for starters. That's my basic list. You may need something special because of your diet or lifestyle. I have found that most doctors don't know that much about supplements beyond the RDA, so if you need more advice, find a doctor with a holistic background.
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