The Perfect Storm
by Mark J Kaylor
A few years ago there was a movie about the perfect storm, the coming together of a number of conditions that resulted in the mother of all storms.
Unfortunately a set of similar circumstances exists today in virtually all of our bodies, 
only it is not happening once-in-a-rare while, it is going on every day. We consume a diet, live a lifestyle, and exist in a world that not only doesn’t support our immune system; it dramatically contributes to its under-functioning and mal-functioning. Environmental toxins, toxins in our foods, improper food choices, stress levels, nutrient imbalances and resistant microbes are just a few of the contributing variables. Add to this the fact that for all intents and purposes, they are all on the rise.
But how do I know if I have an immune system in need of assistance? The answer to that is, “Are you alive?” The reality of living, particularly in our time, is that our immune system is constantly on call and at work. For example, we don’t just breathe in a virus or bacteria once in a while but we do it with every breath, all the while eating a less than stellar diet. 
There are of course some clear indications that our immune system is already operating at a precarious level. These include being prone to infections, suffering from chronic infections, slow wound healing, unexplained fatigue, a family history of immune problems (i.e. cancer), and eating a diet high in sugar. There are many things we can do and several things we need to stop doing to correct these deficiencies.
Why is diet so important?
We have a choice in the foods we eat, do we want to nourish our immune system or stifle it. Diet is fundamental for two interrelated reasons. Optimal immune functioning requires the correct amount and ratio of nutrients. The other side of this coin is that an improper diet can overwhelm our body’s inherent abilities to appropriately defend itself from invaders or malfunctioning. The simple take on it is that if we are mal-nourished and over worked then we are headed, sooner or later, for breakdown. Poor nutrition has even been shown to create an environment where normally benign microorganisms can possibly mutate to become disease causing.
There are thousands upon thousands of diets with all sorts of elaborate rules and guidelines that in the end add more to the confusion rather than clearing things up. And over the years of lecturing I must admit to probably having contributed my share to this menagerie. Maybe it is the wisdom that comes with age or maybe it is my laziness but I have finally shortened my diet of choice, one that is immune supportive, down to a single sentence: “Eat a wide variety of fresh, whole, unprocessed, nutrient-dense, plant-based foods in the proper amounts.” Remember, just because you can swallow it doesn’t mean you should.
The choice is ours
Even with all the abuse and neglect we place upon our immune system it is still constantly working wonders for most of us. Imagine how powerful and effective it would be if we reduced the strains, drains and barriers while giving it the nourishment it needs. Don’t wait for things to begin breaking down, pay attention to your immune system now.
