6 Natural Ways To Boost Your Immune System
With so much information floating around about how to boost your immune system, we want to help you get back to basics. It can be overwhelming flipping through various articles about what vitamins to take & what foods to eat.
Here’s the truth - your body was made to heal & protect itself. For example, lets say you get a finger cut. Your body knows to clot the area stopping blood loss, a scab forms, blood vessels send oxygen to the scab for healing & then lastly new skin forms. The same healing process is true when you catch a cold. Your body has an innate ability to respond on a cellular level to fit off the invaders.
The great news is we can help our bodies natural healing process as well! Here are 6 natural ways to boost your immune system.
Get Adjusted Regularly
Did you know your immune system is directly linked to your spine? When your spine is in alignment, your nervous system can function at its peak allowing everything in the body to work properly. If the spine is misaligned, it will impact the ability of the nerves to properly communicate with the brain. If the brain is not receiving or sending correct signals regarding the body’s function, it can lead to an increased risk of injury or illness. Getting adjusted regularly promotes optimal total body function, not just relieves back & neck pain - although that’s definitely a perk!
Completely new to chiropractic? Check out our FAQ’s page HERE.
Want a free consultation to learn how chiropractic can help you? Click HERE to get started!
Photo by Mandi Farmer
Photo by Mandi Farmer
Eat Healthy Foods
It’s no secret that food has a might impact on our bodies. It gives us fuel to nourish our bodies as well as boost energy, cognitive functions & quality sleep. Here are just a few foods that we love & use regularly in our home:
Elderberry - the name is quite fitting with just how beneficial this food is! Elderberries are rich in organic pigments, amino acids, tannin, carotenoids, flavonoids, rutin, sugar, viburnic acid, & vitamins like A, B & C. The antioxidants in elderberry help to remove the harmful free radicals produced as a result of numerous metabolic reactions. It also reduces inflammation & works to protect & treat the upper respiratory tract.
Broccoli - our favorite green veggie. Broccoli contains multiple potent antioxidants that support healthy cells & tissues throughout your body. It provides an excellent source of vitamin C, a nutrient known to support healthy immune response.
Garlic - good for your health & warding off vampires! Just kidding on the vampires. Sulfur compounds found in garlic help stimulate the body’s immune system & function. It also has antioxidants & anti-inflammatory benefits.
Sweet Potato - everything from the chemical that gives its color to the delicious insides, sweet potatoes keep on giving. Beta-carotene gives sweet potatoes their rich color but also boost your immune system. It’s also rich in iron to promote strong red blood cell function, potassium to control blood pressure, calcium for strong bones & vitamin A which is great for eyes & skin.
Whenever your cooking up delicious meals, the more colorful your plate, the more nutrients your bound to deliver you family & their bodies!
Exercise Daily
We recommend moving your body everyday for at least 30 minutes to promote not just optimal immune system functions but for a variety of health benefits. Your body is like a machine & exercise is the oil that keeps it running smoothly. Exercising promotes better quality sleep, lower blood pressure, stronger bones which all ties into a stronger immune system.
Here are some ways to get your daily exercise in:
Go for a run or walk
Hiking
YouTube Videos (some of our favorites are Rebecca Louise, Yoga with Adriene & PopSugar Fitness)
Dance party with the kids
Riding your bike
Swimming
Weight lifting
Got kiddos? Dr. Josh’s wife, Mandi, has a great workout you can do with the whole family HERE!
Photo by Mandi Farmer
Photo by Burst
Get Quality Sleep
During the day your body is in full protection mode fighting off free radicals & the like. But did you know that while you sleep your body goes through an amazing healing process? We’ve all heard plenty of doctors say, “get plenty of rest” but do you know why? When your body is at rest & isn’t busy in protection mode, your immune system can really go to work & is at its peak effectiveness.
Here are some helpful tips for getting quality sleep:
Have a routine - go to bed & wake up at the same time everyday
Stop eating 2 - 3 hours before
Exercising
Turn off electronics an hour before
Read before bed
Make your room dark, quiet & cool
Take A Daily Multi-Vitamin
Vitamins & probiotics are a great source to not only boost your immune system but also promote overall health. Strong bones, healthy joints, lower cholesterol, optimal heart function & gut health are just a few benefits you can gain from introducing vitamins & probiotics into your daily routine.
Here are some products we trust & recommend to our members:
D-Sufficiency Vitamin D3 Drops - contributes to bone health, improves heart health, helps manage blood sugar levels & enhances immune system.
Omega3 Fish Oil Capsules - lowers blood pressure, reduces risk of heart attack or stroke & promotes overall heart health.
Vita Sufficiency Multi-Vitamin - certified organic, 100% naturally occurring & 100% organic active ingredients for your daily dose of vitamins, minerals & cofactors for recovery, wellness & prevention.
Sunshine - This one’s on us. Directions: walk outside, life head up & absorb sunshine for 5-10 minutes.
Photo by Ready Made
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking enough water throughout the day flushes out toxins, preventing buildup in your immune system, which could otherwise have a negative impact on your health. The water you drink helps your kidneys flush away toxins and helps your digestive tract remove waste from your body. The recommended amount of water you should have daily is half your weight in ounces.
A great way to make sure you get your daily intake of water is to track using a labeled water bottle like this one. There are also some great water tracking apps such as My Water & Drink Reminder.