THANKS GIVING AND YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

I have purposefully separated the words “Thanks” and “Giving” in the title of this email because I want to distinguish between what the holiday was originally intended to be and what it has become. I also want to distinguish between the beneficial effects of feelings of gratitude and the not-so-beneficial effects of the over-consumption of food (especially sugar) on the immune system. Let’s take a thoughtful look at these interrelated issues before we head into the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

In an article titled: Expanding the Science and Practice of Gratitude, published by the University of California, Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, the authors ask,

How can we get 6 billion people around the globe to practice thanksgiving?

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley Greater Good Science Center—in collaboration with the University of California, Davis—recently launched a three-year project to expand the science and practice of gratitude. Their project is designed to understand gratitude and the circumstances in which it flourishes or diminishes. They’re already finding that people who practice gratitude consistently report:

• Stronger immune systems and lower blood pressure

• More joy, optimism, generosity, compassion and happiness

• Feeling less lonely and isolated

Wow! I love it when science investigates things that really make a difference and I’m so excited to know that science backs me up when I tell you that gratitude is a real factor in your health and well-being!

The other side of the coin: Today, Thanksgiving, ignores its original purpose. It also tends to reduce immune function. Why? Because Thanksgiving has gone from being a simple celebration of Mother Earth’s bounty to a celebration in overindulgence. Not only does overeating tax the digestive organs (a critical part of the immune system) but sugar actually suppresses immune function for a period of time after eating it. So if you’ve overeaten and then go for sugar-laden deserts, you’ve given your immune system a double whammy. No wonder people tend to get colds and flu during the holidays.

Having said all that , no one is perfect, and while everything counts, it’s what you consume on a daily basis that determines your ongoing level of health. A healthy regular diet goes a long way toward keeping your immune system strong –even if your diet takes an occasional shallow dive. That’s why the Sunrider foods have been a part of my daily diet for over 28 years. When you eat the best, you can expect the best in your health. I do!

THE SUNRIDER DIFFERENCE

Leonardo Da Vinci said: “Vitality and beauty are gifts from Nature for those who live according to its laws.” Sunrider products are created and combined according to Nature’s laws so that vitality and beauty are the long-term result. There are many companies selling products claiming great results. Some companies promote a single product, like a vitamin supplement or an exotic fruit juice. They claim benefits for everything that ails you. Sunrider doesn’t focus on ailments, treatments or cures which belong to the medical profession. Sunrider is more concerned with strengthening your body.

Sunrider products are based on the philosophy of yin (nourish) and yang (cleanse). They focus on the five systems of the body: endocrine, digestive, respiratory, circulatory, and immune. If you nourish and cleanse the five systems, your body will maintain balance. It is the most harmonious way to achieve optimal health.

Here are the staples to focus on—especially as we enter the Holiday Season: