There has been no time like this year that proves the fact that “the best defense is a great offense.” As we’ve seen through this year’s pandemic the strength of our immune system is critical to our overall health. The majority of COVID deaths were those that had underlying conditions that impacted the immune system. 

As we make headway through cold and flu season, amidst a pandemic, I thought you might be interested in some immune boosting tips.

“The house doesn’t fall if the bones are good.” ~Marren Morris, "The Bones." The foundation to a strong immune system is our lifestyle - the choices we make on a daily basis. This pandemic is what we work so hard for every day - to create a strong home that can weather even the worst of storms. What does a strong foundation look like?

Here are just a few tips:
1. SLEEP!!! Sleep is a strong regulator of immunological processes and there’s a direct connection between the autonomic nervous system and the immune system. Sleep hygiene is critical for a great nights sleep! Click here for a free sleep hygiene handout 

2. Decrease Stress. Stress decreases lymphocytes which are key immune cells that fight infections. The lower your lymphocytes, the higher risk for viral infections. Not only that, ongoing stress increases systemic inflammation leaving your body and immune system weak. Make the courageous choice to NOT be stressed, whether that’s taking less on or changing your perception of the situation. 

3. Food. Our body doesn’t have it’s own pantry of nutrients. We need to consume nutrients in order to obtain them. Our bodies also have a high demand for nutrients to function (every cellular process requires nutrients to work!) - it’s like a code of instructions for the body. Processed “foods” are a double negative. They are not only low in nutrients, but they actually increase our demand for nutrients! They’re so toxic that our bodies see them as invaders/danger and require more nutrients to counter the effects of the toxic substances. Don’t worry about any one specific diet, just eat real food.  Key nutrients for a strong immune system: Vitamin D3 with K2, Vitamin A, Zinc, Selenium, Magnesium, Vitamin C

4. Gut Health: ⅔ of our immune system actually lies in our gut! We also need a strong GI tract to not just digest the nutrients listed above, but absorb them and then get them into our cells for action! And guess what? Processed “food” actually creates wear and tear on the gut lining - creating leaky gut and other downstream dysfunction unrelated to gut symptoms.  Try consuming some probiotics (targeted approach is best - send me a note for suggestions) to boost your innate immune system. One of my favorite probiotics is Megaspore by Microbiome labs (enter energy upon purchase for 10% off) Take care of your gut - it’s the only one you’ve got!

5. Sunlight: Not only is nature absolutely healing to the body and soul, our bodies need the sun to create Vitamin D. Yup… we need sun for our body to produce Vitamin D. However, sunlight can be sparse during the winter months. If your labwork is insufficient or deficient on Vitamin D, go ahead and supplement starting slowly and ensure you’re taking a D3 supplement with K2. Also important is ensuring your Vitamin A & Magnesium levels are adequate before starting a D3/K2 supplement. My favorite Vitamin D3 supplement is Quicksilver Lipsomal Vitamin D3. Click here to order supplements from my dispensary at a 10% discount. 

6. Herbs: I am a big proponent of using immune busting herbs through the winter months! This is all about supporting your already healthy immune system, so if something seems more serious, please see your provider. The herbs I love to support my body with regularly are elderberry syrup and echinacea. I also enjoy olive leaf extract which is a powerful anti-viral, oregano oil and astragalus... all which I took when I had COVID. 

These are pretty “unsexy” tips, but the simplest things can be the most powerful!