How To Support Your Immune System
Cold and flu season is just around the corner but this year more than ever it’s important to have your immune system in its best possible shape. As we face a worldwide pandemic caused by COVID-19, this year’s flu season looks to be one of the most challenging to date.
As the coronavirus is new to us all with no current cure or vaccine, the best we can do to help fight the disease is to optimize our health and wellness. In addition to the COVID-19 public health crisis, the seasons will start to change as we move from summer to fall then winter leaving our bodies more vulnerable to other viruses.
During these stressful times, it’s important to take the right steps to support your immune system. The following natural tips below will help to support and enhance your immune system and boost your body’s ability to defend against potential viruses.
Natural Healthy Immune Support
Manage Stress
One of the proven negative impacts on your immune system is stress.
As we all lead busy lives it is important to keep a good balance and reduce stress in as many ways as you can. The COVID-19 outbreak has only added to higher stress levels with people finding themselves out of work, feeling sick, or having to take care of a sick family member. With no clear ending to the pandemic in sight people are now becoming more stressed about the future.
If you are constantly under stress your cortisol level will raise which suppresses your ability to fight infections. This decreases your immune system and causes inflammation in your body. The elevation in cortisol levels kills off important natural cells that are vital pieces of your immune system to help you fight off viruses.
Great ways to manage stress can include activities like exercise, meditation, and yoga as they have been proven to help boost the immune system.
Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is one of the key ways to boost your immune system.
If you’re eating a healthy diet the food will provide your body with the key nutrients so that you can help prevent diseases. The goal is to eat a variety of organic fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The key is to keep away from processed foods as they do not provide the key nutrients that you require for a healthy diet especially during flu season.
To support your immune system, you should try to keep away from high levels of caffeine and alcohol and food sensitivities that will make you more prone to infection. It’s worth considering taking a blood test to find out if you have any hidden food sensitivities.
Finally, consider supplementing your diet with multivitamins without medicinal ingredients for optimal health.
Sleep
The quality of your night’s sleep is essential to your immune system health.
It is recommended that you aim for 8 hours of sleep a night, sleeping fewer than 7 hours can significantly impact your immune system’s ability to work properly. During sleep, the immune system releases proteins that help to fight infection and inflammation.
Studies have shown that infection-fighting antibodies and cells are reduced when periods of sleep are reduced. A regular sleep schedule of 8 hours a night is a great way to boost your immune system.
Exercise
Regular physical exercise has been proven to boost your immune system.
Physical exercise is associated with an improved immune function and helps to lower levels of anxiety and stress.
Exercise helps your body to strengthen cells and attack bacteria. In people who don’t work out, it has been proven that these cells work more slowly.
So, as we move into the cold and flu season you should consider how frequent you are exercising as this will have impacts on how your body fights off diseases. A regular schedule of weight training and/or cardio workout are great boosters to your body’s immune system.
Nutrients
Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are vitally important for our bodies to function properly.
Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants feed vital cells in our immune system which allows them to grow and fight germs. With poor food choices, this can deplete our immune system of the energy it needs. The most common vitamin deficiencies that lead to a suppressed immune system include Vitamin D, Vitamin B, and Iron.
By visiting a naturopathic doctor today, they will be able to take your blood and examine where you may be lacking in vital vitamins. Naturopathic treatments are then available to provide a clear way to replenish these vitamins to support your immune system.
Immune Support with Naturopathic Medicine
There are a variety of treatments offered by a naturopath to help support your immune system. For many people, they can implement the best practices above but still feel they have a weakened immune system but not understand why. A naturopathic doctor will be able to examine your health and provide a tailored personalized treatment plan to boost your immune system.
Some of the general immune-supporting treatments offered by naturopaths include:
- IV Nutrient Therapy
- Vitamin & Mineral Supplementation
- Probiotic Therapy
- Herbal Medicines
Dr. Nurani has helped many clients support their immune system and provides a clear treatment plan suited to the personal needs of his clients.
As part of a comprehensive treatment plan, IV Nutrient Therapy can be an effective treatment to quickly restore nutrients in the body to therapeutic levels and is required to restore or heal the body.
Some of the IV nutrient therapy treatments Dr. Nurani offers include the following:
Specially formulated to boost immunity and defend against infection. Fortify and improve your immune system against external stressors & illness by reducing oxidative stress, improving cell energy, and providing immune-strengthening micronutrients!
Glutathione is the most powerful antioxidant in the body and can be used to treat a wide range of conditions. Glutathione IVs are also used for enhancement and general wellness such as improved skin and liver health.
This blend of micronutrients supports the body’s cellular energy-producing pathways. It has been formulated to enhance both physical and mental energy for anyone that requires a solid boost.
Powerful micronutrients that are great for assisting the liver in detoxifying against free radicals, impurities, for rejuvenation of your hair, skin & body, and for hormonal health.
Avoid nutrient deficiencies while providing your body with high-quality bioavailable vitamins and minerals for optimal cellular efficiency with this drip.
To learn more about additional IV Nutrient Therapies services available HERE.
Contact Dr Nurani now and he will be able to help determine what is causing your immune system to become suppressed and how to support it.
For more information about Dr Nurani and naturopathic medicine check out www.drnuranind.com.