Natural Ways to Boost your Immunity
With winter weather approaching, many are concerned about getting sick. As a new flu season dawns, it’s a great time to talk about how to stay healthy and well. The flu vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the most effective way to prevent the flu; however, it remains a controversial subject. First, most flu vaccines still contain thimersoral, a mercury-based preservative. Second, because of the unpredictability of flu strains, the available vaccine often doesn’t match the current strain of flu that hits the population annually.
Because of these inherent risks and dangers, many are looking for natural ways to combat and prevent the flu. As the flu season unfolds, there is much you can do to substantially lower your own risk of getting sick. Because you can only treat the conditions caused by colds or flu, prevention should be your goal. We recommend the following tips to help you boost immunity, fight off the flu (as well as the common cold), and to keep you healthy and well this winter and beyond.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
A typical healthy adult needs eight 8-ounce glasses of water or healthy liquids a day. You may need to drink more than this if you have a fever. To be sure that you are getting enough fluids, check your urine. It should look close to clear instead of a deep yellow.
Get Fresh Air
Regular doses help to purge any airborne cold or flu viruses. Getting fresh air is especially important during cold weather when central heating dries you out and makes you more vulnerable to viruses. Open your windows and doors for a few minutes daily to circulate fresh air and help push out those freeloading airborne viruses.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Eating right ensures healthy cell and tissue reproduction, maintains strong muscle and bone systems, and provides your body with the fuels it needs to keep your immune system in top shape. It’s best to avoid sugar as it impacts your immune system and makes you more prone to disease and to avoid stuffing yourself as it forces your liver to work extra hard which can lead to you getting sick.
Take Supplements
Vitamin C stimulates a natural virus killer and mobilizes the immune cells that patrol your body to attack invading colds and flu viruses. If you don’t get enough natural sunlight, try Vitamin D. People who take 2,000 IU of Vitamin D have 70% fewer colds and flu. If you feel a cold coming on…try Zinc. 30 mg of Zinc taken at the onset of a cold will shorten it by about a day and a half. But don’t overdo it. More than 50 mg of Zinc daily can suppress your immune system and block absorption of other minerals. If you have questions on which whole food supplement is best for you and your family, schedule your nutrition evaluation with Dr. Osborne today! dr.ryan@ofcwellness.com or call to schedule 512-255-9711
Get Adequate Sleep
When you’re not getting adequate sleep, your immune system is weakened. You should sleep a little longer during the winter months.
Just Chill
When you’re physically or mentally stressed, your immune system suffers and makes you more susceptible to colds and flu. Try meditation or yoga or any other relaxing activity for 20-30 minutes a day.
Get Moving
Research shows moderate amounts of aerobic exercise such as jogging, brisk walking and cycling during the cold and flu season boost the body’s defenses against viruses and bacteria.
Get Adjusted!
Chiropractic does not treat the common cold or flu, however, it can help raise your natural resistance to disease by removing vertebral subluxations, which are misaligned vertebraes that put pressure on your nervous system thereby reducing your body’s ability to heal itself. Your body’s immune system is remarkable when it is able to work effectively and keeping your body free from vertebral subluxations keeps your natural immunity high and could make the difference between avoiding the flu all together and a quick recovery and lingering illness.
If You Do Get Sick…
At the first sign of illness, you should: Drink lots of water. Hydration helps thin your mucus so your body can rid of it along with any trapped viruses. Staying home and resting is always recommended. Sleep is a powerful natural immunity booster. Most importantly, get adjusted! A chiropractic adjustment boosts your immune system up to 40%!
If you are interested in finding out more about how Chiropractic can help boost your immune system, visit www.OFCwellness.com for more information or call 512-255-9711 to schedule your first appointment.