Page 27 - Real Style February 2018

Bi dobacterium bi dum provided bene ts related to cold/ u during acute stress. These positive re- sults on immunity were observed in as little as two weeks. Probiotics work quickly and play a vital role in immune health. Like strong guardians, bene cial bacteria protects you and your family against harm- ful invaders.
sweat.
To reduce toxins coming in, most people fol-
RS: How can we boost our immune system natu- rally?
SC: Simple — eat well, sleep well and minimize stress.
low a cleanse-friendly diet that is gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free and alcohol-free. Although it sounds quite restricted, there are plenty of healthy foods to choose from such as fruits, vegetables, leg- umes, nuts/seeds, lean proteins and ancient grains. Enhancing toxin removal is typically accomplished with natural herbal ingredients such as milk thistle, dandelion, burdock root and triphala.
A healthy diet is vital to boosting our immune systems. One can of soda can cause more
than a 50 percent decrease in immunity
for ve to seven hours following con- sumption. I encourage my patients to
Positive bene ts of a detox can include increased energy, improved digestion, clearer skin and weight loss.
limit sugar and opt for a diet rich in dark green leafy vegetables, ancient grains and lean protein.
Getting adequate quality sleep is an-
other easy way to maintain a healthy im-
mune system. Go to bed and wake up at
the same time every day. The body fol-
lows a circadian rhythm, also known as
“the body’s clock.” The circadian rhythm
stabilizes with consistent bedtime rou-
tines and people typically experience bet-
ter sleep. If you feel anxious before bed
or have trouble falling asleep, practice
deep breathing or mindful meditation to
de-stress, reduce anxiety and calm the nervous sys- tem.
RS: What healthy food staples would we nd in your kitchen?
SC: I’m obsessed with avocados, so you’ll always nd these in a bowl on my counter. In my fridge you’ll nd organic eggs, apples, zucchini, broccoli, kale and Brussels sprouts. My pantry is very organ- ized (something I’m quite proud of) and has sweet potatoes, seaweed snacks, a variety of legumes, hemp hearts, chia seeds, almond milk, non-GMO popcorn kernels, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, raw coconut oil, apple cider vinegar and pesto – I put pesto on everything.
RS: Interest in detoxing is always high this time of year, and we know you are a long-time advo- cate of the practice. What exactly is a detox and what bene ts can a detox provide?
SC: A detox reduces incoming toxins and enhances toxin removal to help us feel re-energized, rejuve- nated and refreshed. The concept of detoxi cation is based on: 1) reducing toxins coming in and 2) enhancing toxins eliminated via stool, urine and
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