Baker’s Secret BOOSTS Your Immune System
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
One of the most comforting shows for me to watch during the pandemic was The Great British Baking Show.
Contestants would compete to see who could make the most impressive tarts, cakes and cookies, and be awarded “star baker” each week.
Like magic, their creations always came together.
And believe it or not, one of their secret ingredients could BOOST your immune system.
Don’t worry—you don’t have to be “star baker” to use it!
*****
If you’re a big baker, you probably have an overflowing spice cabinet. And if you’re not, you’ll want to make sure you add this to your pantry…
Ginger.
A new study from Michigan Medicine discovered that the main compound of ginger root (6-gingerol) can powerfully counteract the mechanism that fuels certain autoimmune diseases.
In order to test the power of ginger, the researchers gave the compound to mice who were afflicted by lupus.
And they found something interesting…
The researchers point to a feature of the immune system called neutrophil extracellular traps (or NETs). NETs are dangerous cells that can cause damage like blood clotting or worse.
But when the mice were given 6-gingerol, the number of NETs plummeted.
Since the ginger reduced NETs, one of the researchers even suggested it could eventually help autoimmune disease patients get off blood thinners.
As I’ve said before, blood thinners are not only dangerous, but in some cases, they’re unnecessary.
Ginger is a great place to start if you have an autoimmune disease, but I would recommend teaming it up with some other steps to get even more immune-boosting power.
And to do that, you want to focus on your gut.
Here’s how to get started:
- Probiotics. This is your easiest path to a healthy digestive system. I prefer a probiotic product that contains a fiber prebiotic alongside good bacteria.
- Eat enough fiber. This not only helps with regular bowel movements, it also helps stimulate healthy bacterial growth. I always suggest people choose both water-soluble and water-insoluble fiber. One of my favorite fibers is ground flax seeds.
- Throw away junk food, trans fats, processed, and chemical foods. All processed foods, trans fatty acids, artificial sweeteners, and alcohol harm gut bacteria. Do what you can to limit these non-foods in your diet.
- Exercise. It doesn’t seem like the first place you would turn to help your digestive tract, but it has been shown to help encourage a healthy gut.
– Dr. Scott Olson, ND
P.S. Ginger isn’t the only disease-fighting powerhouse hiding out in your spice cabinet. Click here to find a list of MORE delicious and healthy spices.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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