Allergies, viruses, the common cold -- no matter what the season, it seems there’s always something going around threatening to make us sneeze or feel sick. Here at Foster Chiropractic Sports and Wellness, we feel one of the best ways to stave off infections and illnesses is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which in turn supports your body’s own immune system and provides a natural defense to the disease and pollutants that threaten to attack every day. 

What is the immune system?

The immune system is your body’s defense against infection. It’s a system made up of many cells and organs working together. White blood cells play an important role in this system, attacking and destroying organisms that invade our bodies. As a system, rather than a single entity, the immune system requires balance to function well. 

Immune Boosters for Your Daily Life

While there’s no scientifically proven direct link between lifestyle and enhanced immune system, there’s no denying the fact that we feel better when we’re living a healthy lifestyle. Scott Foster makes a priority in our practice to care for the whole person, providing adjustments and clinical expertise as well as working with clients on lifestyle and nutrition changes. Here are a few ways to improve your daily habits that will help you feel better overall and hopefully lead to a stronger immune system.

Regular exercise. For most adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week. Whether you’re pushing your limit on the treadmill at the gym or walking the dog every evening after work, the important thing is to get active and get your heart rate up a little. Regular exercise reduces inflammation, which has been shown to allow the immune system to perform better. 

Eat fruits and vegetables. Your mother was right, eating those greens really is good for you. Spinach, kale and other dark, leafy greens are full of antioxidants that help boost your immune system. Other foods high in antioxidants include blueberries, strawberries, apples, broccoli, potatoes and squash. Eating a diet with a lot of colors and variety is a good place to start.

Get enough sleep. While getting more sleep won’t prevent you from getting sick, getting too little sleep might adversely affect your immune system. According to the Sleep Foundation, while you sleep your body produces cytokines, a type of protein that targets infection and inflammation, creating an immune response. It’s recommended that adults get 7-8 hours of sleep per night, and a 30-minute nap on the weekends could help as well.

Visit your chiropractor. Chiropractic adjustments are a good way to relieve stress off the nervous system. This in turn stimulates production of white blood cells, which play an important role in killing viruses and bacteria. There is no scientific evidence that spinal adjustment directly boosts immunity, but it is one way to help improve your overall health and mood, which in turn can improve your immune system’s balance and function.

Make an appointment with us to help you feel better and learn about positive lifestyle changes that can boost your immune system. Live your healthiest life!