Immunity Boosting Tips

The winter is upon us, and it’s important to start thinking about how best to keep ourselves healthy. Acupuncture is great for immune boosting as well as for helping to keep immune function strong and resilient. When you come in for your acupuncture visit, let’s talk about keeping you healthy this winter! Here are some tips to get you started.

Maintaining healthy lifestyle choices can ensure your immune system operates to its highest potential.

The body’s systems are all interconnected, so it’s vital to maintain good nutritional, physical and mental/emotional health to allow our immune systems to work properly.

Food and its nutrients supply energy to the entire body, including the immune system. So, a proper and balanced diet is essential to its functioning. Studies have shown that deficiencies in certain nutrients impairs immune function and can correspond to illness. Vitamin A deficiencies lead to an increased chance of infection. Research has shown that deficiency in vitamin d can lead to increased respiratory illnesses, increased body pain and depression among other things. So, eating a balanced diet, high in fruits, vegetables and protein is essential to warding off sickness.

Exercise is also important in maintaining a healthy body and immune system. Exercise improves circulation, which helps carry immune system antibodies throughout the body to fight off disease. Exercise also discharges stress and tension, which can also negatively impact the immune system as discussed below.

Its also important to avoid unhealthy “lifestyle choices” like smoking. Smoking increases mucus production and prevents the body’s respiratory system from clearing it out, increasing the likelihood of infection and respiratory illnesses.

A healthy mind is also important for an optimal immune system. Long term stress reduces the immune response to threats and disrupts communication between the body’s systems, also leading to deficiency when dealing with foreign bodies. A lack of sleep can cause more stress and inhibit the production of reparative hormones, further depressing immune functionality. Studies have also shown that increased socialization and sexual intimacy corresponds to higher immune function.

Finally, one can supplement these existing lifestyle choices to further improve immune function. Routine vaccinations have a huge impact on reducing and even eradicating infectious diseases. You can also give the immune system a boost by taking supplements like these and others: echinacea, ginseng, astragalus, garlic and various mushrooms. Probiotic bacteria such as that found in yogurt can out compete bad “bugs” and further enhance immune function

It’s especially important to keep track of the body and mind as one ages. The body’s immune system grows weaker with age and the body is more likely to contract disease due to decreased t cell and stem cell production. These cells also die off as the body ages, leaving the body and immune system without the ‘memory’ of past illness its already fought off.

There are many ways to maintain a healthy immune system. Please visit the links listed below for more information.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/flu-resource-center/how-to-boost-your-immune-system.htm

http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/strengthen-your-immune-system-zmaz10aszraw.aspx