How to Build Immunity Against Viruses
The easier way to stay healthy
Our immune system is a remarkable thing, it defends our body on a daily basis against disease-causing microorganisms. But there is always that one times that it fails to do its job and those darn germs slip in and get us sick. Many people ask about ways to boost their immune system and in this blog I will be addressing that topic.
What specifically can boost your immune system?
The short cut to boosting your immune system isn’t really an option unfortunately. If we want to understand it, we have to grasp that the immune system is a system and not just one thing can boost it. For our body and immune system to function well, it requires balance and everything working on all cylinders. That is why chiropractic is so effective when it comes to the immune system. Having your body in alignment and nerves firing at 100 percent allows your body to fight viruses with both hands rather than just with one hand.
I know, I know you guys came here to hear a quick fix for your immune system, but the reality is there isn’t one. But that doesn’t there isn’t ways to improve upon your immune system. One thing that can have a major impact on your immune system is how healthy and balanced your lifestyle is. Along with the benefit of boosting your immune system it can help with sustainable energy and reduce stress levels.
The chiropractic way
Your nervous system communicates with the rest of your body through the spinal cord. Meaning that when there is a misalignment or a subluxation there is interference in the way your body talks to itself. This can cause pain symptoms, increase your chance of injury and even increase your chance of illness. This compression of the nerve pathways in the spine can affect your immune system in a big way. Being in care of a chiropractic doctor can correct these misalignments freeing up the flow of your nervous system therefore letting your immune system run properly.
Healthy ways to boost your immune system!
Like I said above the best way to strengthen your immune system is to choose a healthy lifestyle. Your health is the first line of defense when it comes to germs and viruses and maintaining yourself can greatly benefit you. If you’re not sure how to live a healthier lifestyle I will list some key points that will help you start off!
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise on a regular basis
- Don’t smoke
- Get the recommended amount of sleep
- If you consume alcohol, drink in moderation
- Consume the recommended number of fruits and vegetables
- Minimize stress
- Stay away from fast food!
Diet and your immune system
Not only do you need a healthy diet to take one the world but so does your immune system! Having a well-rounded diet provides you with the energy needed to take on the day but it also gives your immune system a boost to help defend against germs and viruses. There have been many studies that have shown that people that live in poverty and are malnourished are more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Meaning that if you maintain a healthy diet it provides your body with what it needs to STAY healthy. If you feel like your diet isn’t providing you with the proper nutrition that you need try switching some things up or adding vitamin supplements in!
Supplements that help boost your immune system
Vitamin D: Vitamin D3 is helpful for the immune system and studies show that it helps fight against the common cold and flu. This is also a common deficiency in people. The appropriate dose is 2000-4000 IU daily.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C may help boost the immune system to fight bacteria and viruses. Many food sources are good to maintain vitamin C but in some cases they might not be enough. The appropriate dose is 500-1000mg twice a day.
Zinc: Zinc can help increase “short-term immunity boost. For example studies have shown that zinc supplements have helped reduce cold symptoms.
Probiotics: Probiotics help support a major part of our immune system in our gut. A little fun fact is that healthy gut bacteria can increase overall immunity and may help improve the balance of your immune system.
Although these supplements aren’t the fix to boosting your immune system they can help to a certain extent.
Stress and immune function
As a chiropractor we appreciate the mind body connection and how it has a big role on our health. There has been a variety of things that have been linked to emotional stress that include hives, stomach aches, heart disease. Although stress is a little bit harder to connect to stress it still plays a factor. It is easier said like this, stress can break down your body in a variety of ways and one of those ways can be your immune system function. If you are dealing with stress feel free to go look at our previous blog about stress management.
Overall there are a couple ways you can help boost your immune system. Chiropractic care is a crucial way to keep your body healthy which comes with a list of benefits including immune system function. A healthy diet can also boost your immune system in addition giving you more energy. A variety of vitamin supplements can in short term boost your immune system and stress management benefits your overall well being. All of these things can help boost your immune system, fight against viruses while improving your quality of life!
