by: Dr. Chad London, DC
Summer has come and gone, fall is upon us and with it shorter days and colder weather. Keeping up the bodies immune system is key to preventing sickness and maintaining health through the seasonal changes this time of the year. Here are a couple of ways to maintain a healthy immune system.
Immunity Through Food
The most important approach to getting the right vitamins and minerals the body needs to remain healthy and have a strong immune system is through food. Food provides the best, most available and most useable source of vitamins and minerals. In addition to a well-balanced meal plan and portion size, check out a couple of foods that are essential for boosting the immune system to maintain overall health.
Citrus fruits- Grapefruit, oranges and tangerines are a great source of vitamin C. Which helps with white blood cell production. Helping the body fight infections.
Red Bell Peppers- Greater source of Vitamin C than citrus fruits. Also helps with eye and skin health.
Broccoli- Great source of Vitamin A, C and E. Powerful Antioxidant and one of the healthiest vegetables you can have on your plate.
Garlic- Immune-boosting qualities. Also helps with lowering blood pressure and reduce hardening of the arteries.
Ginger- Helps by reducing the inflammation in your body, created by infections. Also may help to decrease nausea and soothe a sore throat.
Extra Immunity Help
Most of the time, due to our busy lifestyles, families are unable to get all of the necessary vitamins and minerals for health or the maintenance of health from their diet. In this case, supplementation is great way to give your body what it needs to be healthy. Supplements should be consumed daily and depending on strength of supplements, dose should be monitored. Below are some supplements that would be beneficial for immune health.
Daily Multivitamin- Always great to take a multivitamin to make sure your body is getting everything it needs.
Vitamin D- As the days are getting shorter, sun exposure is decreasing and the best source for vitamin D is direct sunlight. The use of a vitamin D supplement is a great way to maintain levels which will aid in immune health. ( Adults- 5000 iu; children- 1000 iu)
Vitamin C- A great source, if unable to get adequate units of vitamin C from foods.
Echinacea- Great source to prevent recurring infections. This will help maintain immune system health through the winter.
Elderberry- Helps to fight off the common cold by reducing inflammation in the body.
Probiotics- Good bacteria that helps digest nutrients to boost detoxification of the colon. This helps boost and support the immune system.
Ginseng- Helps the body fight infection by creating immune homeostasis (balance), which increases the resistance of the body to infection.
Oregano- Anti-bacterial quality that helps fight infection which in turn boosts the immune system.
Lastly research has shown that regular chiropractic care can increase the immune response by stimulating biological activity. In turn this activates the immune response and allows the body to fight off infection. Chiropractic care should be considered to help the body fight infection and illness through the seasonal changes this time of the year.
Washington Park Chiropractic is the only practice in Denver, Colorado specializing in Sports Chiropractic, Prenatal Chiropractic and Pediatric Chiropractic. Our Wash Park Doctors are expert certified and trained in Sports, Pediatrics and Prenatal Care including massage, acupuncture, Webster Technique, Graston Technique, Laser, K-Laser, Kinesiology Tape, RockTape and Normatec.
Chad London DC, CCSP is a certified sports chiropractic physician (CCSP) and prenatal chiropractor. He is a current member of the Glendale raptors professional rugby team. His love for sport and chiropractic pushed him towards a lifestyle of health and well being. Treatment of sports injuries and overall functionality of the athlete has always been a passion of his. Stay tuned in @washparkchiro and @chaddie_13_london
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