IMPROVING YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

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1. Walking - 30 minutes daily, and make it enjoyable.

2. Vitamin C - take 2000-6000mg each day. Take in divided doses with food. Highly recommended is : C-Plus by VRP-high potency capsules, inquire at roz2000.com.

3. Sleep/Rest - Get some extra rest: Napping is the best (with the TV off).

4. Learn the Weather - cover your head and neck! That is where you lose heat.

5. Take your vitamins - see my Vitamin list (especially Co-Enzyme Q-10).

6. Stress Management - Smile! Try The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook.

7. Spirituality - Prayer and faith are extremely important.

8. Echinacea Extracts - Be sure to take extracts, take 2 with every meal (6/day). For a high quality product inquire at roz2000.com.

PLATELETS

Platelets are a vital part of your body's system of protection and repair. When there is an injury the platelets are frequently the first thing to arrive to begin the initial action of repair. For example, when you suffer a simple paper-cut, the platelets rush to the spot and form a bridge where the blood will form a clot. This will not only stop the bleeding but begin the process of bringing the skin together.

The better your platelets work the more likely your body will continue to protect you against illness, and fight the harmful effects of aging. Although people frequently focus on their cholesterol levels, these blood fat levels are only one of five key factors associated with the development of coronary artery disease. Four other factors involve the breakdown of the lining of the artery (the Intima) where tiny pits and cracks can form. LDL-cholesterol then may stick inside one of these pits and the beginning of the blockage begins. Platelets can close these cracks before the process starts: A very important protection, indeed!

Your platelets are mainly of protein. The average platelet lives for about 120 days, and each one has a unique birthday, so platelets are constantly dying off as new ones are formed. Now, please study this situation:

Two men are about to have arthroscopic surgery of their knees. Their bodies will be cut into, and the bone and cartilage of the knees will have to heal. Both patients will require fast, dependable action on the part of their platelets if they are to heal quickly and without pain.

Mr. A's dietary source of protein comes mainly from fresh fish, whitemeat chicken, beans, lentils, tofu, soybean sources, and a small amount from lean, red meat. These are very high quality sources of protein.

Mr. Z's dietary source of protein includes bacon and sausage at breakfast, a fast-food burger at lunch, and dinners such as Crab legs at the Red Lobster, frequent pork and red meat main courses, and plenty of cheese and ice cream.

Mr. A heals quickly and with very little pain. He takes only one Tylenol #3 just after the surgery, ices his knee, and returns to work in only three days. When his stitches are removed after five days, he's ready to begin a limited exercise program. He thinks Dr. Patella, his orthopedic surgeon, is an incredibly brilliant doctor.

Mr. Z has a painful, slow recovery. He requires frequent pain medications, and calls Dr. Patella with questions as to why he feels so much worse now then he did before the surgery. A month after the operation, he still doesn't feel right. Dr. Patella enters him into a Rehab program, where after three weeks of intensive treatment his knee finally begins to feel better. One afternoon while stuffing down his usual BigMac he discusses suing Dr. Patella for malpractice.

Do you have an idea why Mr. A did so much better than Mr. Z?

Can you relate this to what you just learned about platelets? Can you see how the quality of your diet is so important in protecting your body against aging and illness?

Remember: You are what you eat!