Give Your Immune System a Helping Hand
A few tips to help support your immune system on a daily basis
So we don't have to tell you that there's a bit of a health panic going on lately. Before you fall down the rabbit hole of the vast amount of information surrounding the new coronavirus, just b r e a t h e. We're here to give you a few tips about how to support your immune system to possibly reduce risk of infection.
Wash Your Hands
Needless to say, you should be washing your hands regularly anyways, but let's just walk through the most effective way to do so. Wet your hands with warm water, apply soap, lather it all over your hands, and rinse. This process should last at least 20 seconds to ensure that you're actually killing bugs off. Now, this doesn't mean that you need to use anti-bacterial soap. Any soap will do. So please wash your hands routinely, especially after having touched a shared surface.
Don’t Touch Your Face
More likely than not, you touch your face dozens of times a day. If you're a nervous nail-biter...well, need I say more? Well, I will! Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, mouth - your whole face. All the virus needs is for you to touch an infected surface and then touch your face, where it can enter your body through a mucosal membrane. Tip: if you have a habit of biting your nails, try using a nail file each time you feel the urge to put those fingers in your mouth.
Eat Clean
Like we've said many times in the past, the top 3 inflammatory foods are: sugar, gluten, and dairy. This is not to say that everybody has sensitivities to these foods, but studies have shown that they can cause inflammatory responses in the body. For instance, dairy could cause your body to produce extra mucus, which is something we prefer to avoid when sick. Instead, opt for whole foods like lean protein, nuts, seeds, legumes, and vegetables.
Practice Stress Reduction
This one may seem odd, but did you know that stress can diminish the immune system? If you don't practice meditation or yoga, try simple deep-breathing exercises or practices like the 4-7-8 breathing technique developed by Dr. Andrew Weil. Doing so could help reduce stress in the body and/or support healthy breathing habits.
Krystle's immune-boosting supplements
vitamin C - This may not come as a surprise, but vitamin C is crucial for supporting the immune system. This well known nutrient is also a key antioxidant that protects cells from free radical damage, thus boosting the immune system.* While all of this craziness is going on, we're taking 1g twice a day, just to be on the safe side. If you are sensitive to the acidity, opt for the buffered vitamin C like Ortho Molecular's Buffered Lemon C Powder. I like adding this powder to my protein shake in the morning - especially if there are tart fruits like berries in the shake.
propolis tincture - Bee propolis has been shown for decades, if not centuries, that it contains anti-viral, antibacterial, antifungal - basically anti-microbial properties. How is it different from honey? Well, bees actually make honey, while propolis is the plant resin that the bees collect to seal their honeycombs. I normally take 1 dropperful a day for everyday use, 1 dropperful twice per day for preventative measures, and 1 dropperful three times per day when I'm sick.
elderberry syrup - Another old-school supplement, elderberry extract has been used in folk medicine to treat cold and flu symptoms. In fact, recent studies have shown it's efficacy against certain influenza strains.
ultraflora immune booster - Believe it or not, there are probiotics geared specifically towards respiratory health. Ultraflora Immune Booster from Metagenics contains strains of healthy bacteria that support nasal, sinus, and respiratory health.
vitamin D3+K2 - Living in the city, we probably don't get enough of the sunshine vitamin, which is unfortunate because it is vital for various biological processes in the human body. In combination with vitamin K2, vitamin D3 can help support a healthy immune system.
GET EVEN HEALTHIER!
Want to learn how to make positive choices in your own life? Want support in creating your healthiest, happiest life ever? Let’s talk! Schedule your initial health coaching consultation with Krystle today—or pass this offer on to someone you care about!
ABOUT KRYSTLE
Krystle received her training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where she learned about more than one hundred dietary theories and studied a variety of practical lifestyle coaching methods. Drawing on this knowledge, she will help you create a completely personalized “roadmap to health” that suits your unique body, lifestyle, preferences, and goals.
Learn more about her training and her unique approach to health coaching.
