Boost Your Immunity
When contagions gain traction with mainstream media, justified or not, fear and panic ensues. Your best bet is to stay calm and use common sense, practice hygiene and focus on prevention.
A strong immune system is your best defense against outside pathogens, whether that be a cold, strep, the flu, corona virus or seasonal allergies.
Our brilliant bodies are innately designed to withstand crazy amounts of pathogenic invasions. They do, every. single. day. We aren't sick everyday because, when our immune system functions as it should, it can identify, target, fight and excrete or isolate pathogens to avoid you getting sick.
So, how can you naturally boost your immune system?
Increase the bacterial diversity of your microbiome with fermented foods or targeted probiotics strains. Our immune system and gut have evolved together to regulate each other. In fact 70-80% of our immune cells are found in the gut.
Adding in bone broth and other food sources of collagen will support your immune system by supporting the intestinal lining of your gut. When our mucosal lining is running thin, we are much more susceptible to systematic inflammation and infection. There's a reason chicken noodle soup is your go-to when your sick, because it's traditionally made with healing bone broth!
Take a step back from the chaos of life and do what you can to stress less. Whether it's acute or chronic stress, each and every stressor diverts energy and effort AWAY from your immune system to focus on fighting, flighting, or freezing (shutting down).
Prioritize getting enough, high-quality sleep. Sleep deprivation, which is clinically defined as less than 6.5 hours, reduces our immune system so it produces less cytokines which are a specific type of protein that targets infections and inflammation in the body in an immune response. Studies have even shown that flu vaccines are significantly less effective when administered to sleep deprived cohorts, due to their drastically reduced immune response.
If your diet is lacking in the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals (99% of Americans fall into this category), then strategic supplementation can also be helpful in bolstering your body from pathogens. Vitamin D, olive leaf extract, elderberry, echinacea, all your B vitamins and antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E and glutathione are all nutrient-modulators of your immune system.
What are some other measures you can take to lessen your chances of getting sick?
Practice basic hygiene. Basically, don't be an asshole to yourself or others. Wash your hands with soap, don't cough on people, throw your tissues in the trash and bring sanitizing wipes with you in public.
Pay via debit or credit card. Paper money changed hands often and studies have shown that paper money can carry the flu virus for us to 17 days. This means it's best to take caution with any prevalent contagion.
Stay out of super concentrated public places, as much as possible. Obviously the more people, the higher the chance of contact. If you're in an at risk population, plan more stay-at-home activities.
Plan your travel accordingly. If you are in an at risk population with a weakened immune system, then postpone or change your travel plans, especially if it involves traveling to major hubs via plane. It's never worth it, plus road trips and staycations can be fun too!
Who is the most “at risk?”
Everyone who is exposed to contagions are technically "at risk," but there are populations with low-functioning or suppressed immune systems. These are the people who need to take the most precautions as the common cold can become deadly, if your body isn't strong enough to react appropriately. These include, but are not limited to:
babies, toddlers, children whose immune systems aren't fully developed
those who have recently been sick
those with autoimmune conditions
elderly populations
those who have HIV/ AIDS
those who have had an organ transplant
those who are on corticosteroids or TNF-inhibitors
Specifically for corona, those with chronic or acute respiratory conditions are at a much higher risk.
Curious about your own unique immune function? Let’s chat about it! Click here to schedule a free strategy call with me, so we can strengthen and protect your body from the inside out!
All information presented and written within kacyshea.com are intended for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other health-care professional.
