Some people’s typical eating patterns are high in sugar and
processed carbohydrates, artificial sweeteners, unhealthy fats, and are lacking
in fruits and vegetables. These eating habits fail to supply the body with
adequate nutrition to truly support immunity. Numerous studies have found that
natural vitamins and minerals found in whole foods improve immune function.
Excellent food sources of immune boosting nutrients include vibrant green, red
and orange vegetables, delicious nuts and seeds, fresh seafood, whole eggs, and
poultry. Fresh herbs, such as basil, vegetables, like garlic and scallions add
robust flavor to recipes and also add their own infection-fighting properties.
Most
people don't realize that the vast majority of the immune system is found in
your guts. An imbalance of the friendly bacteria (Probiotics) found in the gut
is one of the leading causes of lowered immunity. That is why I recommend
supplementing with a good Probiotic that contains several strains of billions
of friendly bacteria to re-inoculate your system. Check with your local health
food store for a good quality brand. There are many quality probiotic
supplements available now in Utah.
Regular aerobic physical activity, about 30 minutes a day,
has been shown to improve immune function and decrease the incidence of common
viral infections. Most people decrease their physical activity, as the weather
turns cold. Your sleep is an active time during which your body restores
itself. Sleep deprivation in animals increases susceptibility to viral and
bacterial infection, and, in humans, insomnia reduces activity of natural
killer cells, your main defense against viral infection. The natural sleep
requirement of adults varies from as little as six to as much as ten hours per
day, with most people needing seven to nine hours, preferably without
interruption.
Chiropractic care has also shown to be effective in boosting
your immunity. One of the most important studies showing the positive effect
chiropractic care can have on the immune system and general health was
performed by Ronald Pero, Ph.D., chief of cancer prevention research at New
York's Preventive Medicine Institute and professor of medicine at New York
University. Dr. Pero measured the immune systems of people under chiropractic
care as compared to those in the general population and those with cancer and
other serious diseases. In his initial three-year study of 107 individuals who
had been under chiropractic care for five years or more, the chiropractic
patients were found to have a 200% greater immune competence than people who
had not received chiropractic care, and 400% greater immune competence than
people with cancer and other serious diseases. The immune system superiority of
those under chiropractic care did not diminish with age.
Dr.
Pero stated:
“When applied in a clinical framework, I have
never seen a group other than this chiropractic group to experience a 200%
increase over the normal patients. This is why it is so dramatically important.
We have never seen such a positive improvement in a group…”
Pero R. "Medical Researcher Excited By CBSRF Project Results." The Chiropractic Journal, August 1989; 32
This is why the doctors and staff at The Joint Cottonwood recommend regular, preventative chiropractic adjustments. If you typically struggle with frequent illnesses, make an appointment at The Joint in Salt Lake City and let us work together to see if we can boost your immunity and resistance to disease.
- Dr. Hendricks
