Today there has been a great deal of concern placed on global warming, ozone layer depletion and the overuse of chemicals and pesticides in our world. Each of these environmental issues plays a large role in our health and many times our body’s immune system is the last line of defense. Our immune system is a complex unit that protects our bodies from many different harmful and toxic conditions. Without maintaining and promoting the health of our immune system it can be impossible to fight the different environmental issues that we are currently being faced with.

What many people do not realize is that global warming and the chemicals we use today so freely are greatly affecting the food we eat and our quality of water. Proper nutrition is vital to maintaining your immune system and today many people are missing out on the nutrients they need by eating fast foods too regularly and not understanding the importance of proper nutrition. There are many toxic minerals in our environment today and some are necessary for our health and others can harm us. It is important to understand the difference.

Copper, calcium and zinc are all minerals that are required for our body to function properly. Minerals such as aluminum, lead and mercury can be absorbed throughout the environment and can be very dangerous for your health. Pesticides and herbicides many times contain these types of dangerous minerals and can be found in traces on your fruit and vegetables and of course in the air you breathe. Indoor pollution should not be ignored either as it can cause just as many serious conditions as the environment can. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has stated that the pollution levels within homes, schools and workplaces are often 2-5 times higher than outdoors. When most people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, this can be extreme exposure.

Types of indoor pollutants include dust, disinfectants, household cleaning products, carbon monoxide and electromagnetic fields. These are items that are used in absolutely every household today. Ionizers can be effective in clearing the air of bacteria, pollen and smoke. To help build up your immune system you should also consider the natural side of treatment.

• Supplements such as Coenzyme 10 are used regularly to help build and promote a strong immune system. This particular supplement can also help detoxify the body and eliminate pollutants.
  
  
• Vitamin C is another option, this supplement can be taken daily in dosages of 3,000-10,000 mg and it aids in removing toxins from the body such as heavy metals.
  
  
• Herbs such as burdock root and red clover help cleanse the body as well through the blood stream and lymphatic systems.
  
  
• Garlic is a powerful immunostimulant and should be consumed daily. I recommend the brand Kyolic from Wakunaga of America, which is an odorless organic garlic supplement.
  
  
• Turmeric's main constituent is curcumin, which enhances the liver's ability to remove toxins from the body and stops tumor growth.

If you are further interested in cleansing your system of environmental toxicity, a visit to a naturopathic doctor is recommend.