With summer winding down and fall and winter on the horizon, many people are contemplating how changing seasons may affect their health, especially with new coronavirus variants circulating more widely. As activities move indoors, more people head back to the office and children go back to school, staying healthy is top-of-mind for many of our readers.

Two of the most common questions we’ve been hearing are “How can I boost my immune system naturally?” and “What supplements should I be taking right now?” To answer them, let’s take a deeper look at how your immune system actually works and what you can do to keep it functioning at its best.

What exactly is the immune system?

The immune system is an intricate network of cells and proteins that defend the body against infection. It’s quite complex, but at its core, it has two basic functions. First, it identifies foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi, and then it destroys them.

What is the connection between the immune system and blood type?

Your immune system has very sophisticated methods to determine if a substance in the body is foreign or not. One of these methods involves chemical markers called antigens. Some of the most powerful antigens in the human body are the ones that determine your blood type. In fact, your blood type antigens are so sensitive that when they are operating effectively, they are your immune system’s greatest strength.

When your “security guards” size up a suspicious character, one of the first things they look for is your blood type antigen to tell whether the intruder is friend or foe. So, it should come as no surprise that one of the best things you can do to keep yourself healthy is to eat Right 4 Your Type.

What can I do to boost my immune system?

It’s true that smoking, alcohol and sleep deprivation all contribute to a weakened immune system. Imagine a “security guard” who has been up all night! Quitting smoking, reducing alcohol and getting a good night’s sleep are all great ways to increase overall health. But your number one defense against lurking germs and viruses? It’s your diet! Your blood type is the key that unlocks your entire immune system and eating Right 4 Your Type is the single best tool you have to boost your immune system and protect against disease.

Eat Right 4 Your Type

Even long-time followers of the Blood Type Diet stray from time to time. But when boosting immunity is the primary goal, it’s important to be as diligent as possible with everything you eat or drink. Adding more Beneficials is a great place to start. Beneficials reduce inflammation, lower the stress load on the body and help balance the immune system. Eliminating Avoids is also important. It might seem like a “treat” here and there is no big deal, and most of the time that is true, but when it comes to keeping those “security guards” alert and strong, sticking with foods that are Right 4 Your Type provides the best protection.

If you are new to the Blood Type Diet and unsure which foods are Beneficials and which ones are Avoids for your blood type, or you’re looking for a refresher, start with Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo’s best-selling book, Eat Right 4 Your Type. The Official Blood Type Diet App is also a great companion, especially when you’re on the go. It makes eating out, grocery shopping and meal planning for multi-blood-type-families a breeze.

Exercise Right 4 Your Type

Coupled with a personalized diet, exercise is also important for keeping those “security guards” in great shape. Moderate exercise can help reduce inflammation and help immune cells regenerate. But not all exercise is the same. Just as different foods react differently to different blood types, so do different exercises. For example, intense exercise helps lower stress in Blood Type Os, whereas Blood Type As do best with low impact, relaxing exercises, such as yoga and tai chi. Learn more about exercising Right 4 Your Type here.

What supplements should I be taking for boosted immunity?

Even the strongest immune systems can benefit from a little help. That’s why Dr. D’Adamo re-engineered his Resistance Pack to reflect new information relevant to respiratory, metabolic and circulatory challenges likely to be experienced as we enter fall and winter.

This convenient bundle includes supplements right for all blood types, with powerful immune-boosting ingredients such as elderberry, quercetin, Andrographis paniculata, Chinese skullcap root and vitamin D. Together, they provide a cornerstone of immune modifying support. Read more about Dr. D’Adamo’s “go-to” supplement protocol here.

When it comes to staying healthy, especially as we head into seasons that keep us indoors for longer periods of time, focus on eating and exercising Right 4 Your Type, and include quality supplements designed specifically to enhance your immune system.