_{**This is not medical advice. Before starting anything new, consult with your doctor**}

Doctors Orders: No medication and no supplements 7 days prior.

What a pain in the butt, I am a routine person. Yet, this makes sense, you don’t want to bleed out because you’ve been pounding back the ibuprofen for pain. This begs the question: If I cannot take my supplements how in the world do I keep my immune system at full tilt prior to surgery?

We know that 70% of our immune system lives in our “gut” (digestive tract). So in theory if we boost our gut health we can boost our immune system and body’s strength to heal post-op. Let’s look at some easy ways to increase that immunity (gut health) naturally and supplement free.

1. Fiber Fiber Fiber! Fiber is the key to gut health. It is the food our “good bacteria” eat, this fuel helps them grow and multiply, pushing out the “bad bacteria”. Fiber is ONLY found naturally in plants; fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds and whole grains. Almost all processed foods have fiber added back in to make them more “nutritious”. So, the week before (really all the time) pack in as many fruits, veggies, whole grains and REAL food as possible.
2. Vitamins and Minerals. There are certain vitamins and minerals that boost the immune system naturally. Since we can’t pack our bodies full of supplements, where can we find these nutrients naturally?
   • Vitamin C – Citrus, Cruciferous Veggies (broccoli, kale, red cabbage), Red Peppers, Strawberries, Guava, Tomatoes and Kiwi to name a few.
   • Vitamin E – Nuts and Seeds (almonds, sunflower, hazelnuts)
   • Vitamin A – Orange things (carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe) and dark leafy greens
   • Vitamin D – Fish (salmon, tuna)
   • Iron – Meats & Beans, Kale, Broccoli
   • Zinc – Lean Meats, Beans, Yogurt, Chickpeas
3. Sunshine + Grounding. Sunshine activates the vitamin D we eat, it is needed to boost the immune system. Permission to tan… in 10 minute increments. Grounding is exchanging electrons with the earth. Remove your shoes and dig those feet in to fresh soil, grass or a lovely beach. By exchanging electrons with the earth, we are ramping up our electrical system within us, a key component of our immune system. Tapping into a bigger source of energy than just our bodies.
4. Herbs. Since we are trying to avoid supplements we can get herbs in many ways. We can add them to our cooking or drink in a tea. Both are low enough quantities that they will not effect our blood clotting during surgery. Herbs to increase immune system include:
   • Echinacea + Elderberry (best teas include these)
   • Ginger (a pineapple, lemon and ginger smoothie is bomb!)
   • Cinnamon (add to a sweet potato for a vitamin A and fiber boost too)
   • Garlic (grind up a clove and mix with honey, taste not so good, but talk about a kick)
5. Fire Cider. Okay this one is intense. But I have been making my own (recipe by @mommypotamus). It contains a bunch of nasty but beneficial stuff (garlic, ginger, turmeric, onion, jalapeño, horseradish, rosemary, pepper, apple cider vinegar… you get the idea). Just 10ml or so a day is all you need!
6. Pre & Pro Biotics. Prebiotics are the foods that feed our good bacteria (ie our immune system!) Did we mention fiber already? Probiotics (in this case) are foods containing the good bacteria. These are fermented foods: sauerkraut (yummy!! I love this!), some live-cultured yogurts, kefir, tempeh, and kombucha.
7. BONUS: Exercise! Of course you knew exercise would be in here. Exercising boosts the immune system by:
   • Increasing body heat (this makes it an uninhabitable place for bad bacteria)
   • Improves sleep (the time when your body does most of its healing)
   • Increases circulation (this includes circulation of the immune cells too!)
   • Decreases stress and reduces inflammation

So, now you are armed with all the items needed to add to your pre surgery shopping list leaving out the medications and supplements you’re all set.. Really, add them all the time. Might as well avoid that winter cold season by arming your immune system with all the tools!

The real key to healthy bodies and immune system is simple: exercise/movement, whole real organic local foods, good quality sleep, and communication (leads to healthy relationships).

That’s it. Life is simple. Life is fun. Life is short. So, don’t take yourself too seriously.