As we approach the time of year where we don’t receive as much vitamin D from the sun, and consume too much sugar and not enough water, we also become more susceptible to different types of illnesses. During this time, it’s important to make sure your body has the extra support it needs to boost your immune system, so that your body can fight off and prevent infection more easily.
Vitamin D & Zinc
There are two supplements in particular that have been shown to dramatically boost your immune system: vitamin D and zinc. In fact, studies have shown that individuals who are deficient in vitamin D and zinc are much more susceptible to illness than those who are not deficient.1
A daily supplement of vitamin D is recommended, but it can also be consumed through foods such as salmon, canned tuna, egg yolks, and mushrooms.2
The recommended dosage of zinc for adults is 40mg per day.2
Other Ways to Help Yourself
While these two supplements are great for boosting your immune system, the best natural way to support immunity and prevent illness is by consuming a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and ensuring you are getting enough sleep on a daily basis. These habits will set you up for success, and the vitamin D and zinc will only boost your success even more!3
Specifically regarding a healthy diet, avoiding processed sugars as much as possible is another way to ensure that your immune system functions at its best. Too much sugar consumption can weaken the immune system – and it actually suppresses your white blood cells’ ability to do their job, making it easier for you to become ill.4
One thing that you may NOT think affects your immune system, but does, is something that we all experience time to time – and that’s STRESS. When your body is in a stressed state, your body’s white blood cell count is lowered, therefore making you more likely to get sick. If you are chronically in a stressed state, your risk of infection becomes even higher.5
How We Can Help
The care provided in our office is not only designed to help you with physical symptoms such as pain, but it is also designed to teach your brain and your body to communicate correctly on a consistent basis, which leads to less tension in your body, and furthermore – less stress. The less stressed your body is, the stronger your immune system is, and the better it can function. Additionally, studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments not only increase your white blood cell count, but they do so as quickly as fifteen minutes after you are adjusted!6 Higher white blood cell count = better immune function.
If you find yourself in a stressed state more often than not, and would like a natural way to optimize immune system function – give us a call, we would love to help you!
Sources:
1Immune-boosting role of vitamins D, C, E, zinc, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids: Could they help against COVID-19? (n.d.). PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7415215/
2Three vitamins, minerals to boost your immune system and fight COVID-19. (2021, February 1). FIU News. https://news.fiu.edu/2020/three-vitamins,-minerals-to-boost-your-immune-system-to-fight-covid-19
3Vitamin C & zinc: Can supplements really boost your immune system? (2021, April 28). Center for Family Medicine. https://centerforfamilymedicine.com/nutritional-information/vitamin-c-zinc-can-supplements-really-boost-your-immune-system/
4Livingston, M. (2020, June 9). How sugar can sabotage your immune system. CNET. https://www.cnet.com/health/nutrition/sugar-can-lower-your-immune-system/
5Mcleod, S. (n.d.). Stress, illness and the immune system. Study Guides for Psychology Students – Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/stress-immune.html
6Enhanced neutrophil respiratory burst as a biological marker for manipulation forces: Duration of the effect and association with substance P and tumor necrosis factor. (n.d.). PubMed.