Natural Immune Boosters
 You know the feeling: you're headed into a busy work week where every second counts, and you step into the office to find all of your co-workers coughing and sneezing. You immediately worry that you'll be sick soon, and the stress of missing work starts building. With natural immune boosters, you can breathe easy. These herbs, vitamins, and minerals fortify your body's natural ability to protect itself from bacteria and viruses and boost your immune system, meaning you're less likely to get sick. There's a variety of options you can try, including:
- Beta Glucan: This nutrient is believed to activate the immune system and is found in baker's yeast, some cereals, mushrooms, and other foods.
- Echinacea: Derived from the purple coneflower and used for hundreds of years as a natural immune booster by Native Americans, this herb is believed by some to ward off infection by stimulating the immune system.
- Zinc: This mineral is essential to proper immune function. Some researchers believe zinc deficiencies lead to susceptibility to pneumonia and other infections in children and the elderly. It is found in foods like oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, and nuts.
- Vitamin C: This vitamin, found in citrus fruits and other fruits and vegetables like broccoli and strawberries, helps protect white blood cells, which attack foreign bodies.
- Ginseng: Some researchers believe this herb increases the presence of certain immune cells when taken regularly.
You can increase your intake of any of these natural immune boosters with supplements or simple diet changes, but as with any health regimen, you should consult your physician before beginning.
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