It’s mid September and we are rolling into the fall months; my favorite season!! I don’t sweat to death at my kid’s sporting events, the humidity doesn’t make my hair gigantic and the bugs are starting to calm down. I’m in heaven! But, if you are a news watcher, the looming ‘flu season is coming’ ads and reports have already started. In fact, they are trying to create fear early on to prepare for the worst flu season in years.
If you know us well, you know that we don’t roll well with fear driven information. Instead, we want to arm our practice members with knowledge, confidence and trust that their bodies are prepared for the upcoming months and have all the tools to have a super healthy winter!
Here are our top tips:
1. Adequate amounts of vitamin D3K2. We sound like a broken record, but we have been suggesting our practice members supplement D3 with
K2 long before the 2020 craze. Benefits include a strong immune system, bone density health, cardiovascular health, blood sugar balance and a healthy mood, mental clarity and productivity. Many, many studies have shown the link between low Vitamin D3 levels and the increased risk of developing influenza or other upper respiratory infections. As a society, it’s estimated that upwards of 85% of people are Vitamin D3 deficient — so adding a good Vitamin D3 supplement to your routine goes a long way in supporting the function of the immune system! Here is our favorite Vitamin D3+K2 Supplement:
2. Limit your sugar. I know, they just put Pumpkin Spice lattes back on the menu at your favorite coffee house… But, sugar can have a negative impact on your immune system.
Foods that significantly raise blood sugar, such as those high in added sugars, increase the production of inflammatory proteins like tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), all of which negatively affect immune function. So, be conscious of your choices, limit your sugar intake and find alternatives to the sugary coffee drinks. We are coffee pros, so I promise, we can help!
3. Get Adjusted! Last, but most important… duh! Medical research has concluded that a healthy immune system depends upon maintaining a healthy nervous system. I am sure you have heard us repeat this statement over and over. I was doing some homework for the diplomate program I am currently taking, and I came across a research article that I haven’t seen in years. This was a study conducted way back in 1994 on a group of HIV positive individuals. HIV positive individuals have low levels of CD4 white blood cells, which are responsible for triggering your immune system to fight viruses and bacteria. These extremely low levels make them more susceptible to infections. Anything that can increase those CD4 cell counts, helps the immune system and these patients fight off infections. Back to the study: Half of the patients received upper cervical adjustments and the other half placebo adjustment. Over the six month period of the study, the control group experienced a 7.96% decrease in CD4 cell counts while the adjusted group experienced a 48% increase in CD4 cell counts over the same period! I think this is a self explanatory study, but how amazing is that?! That is how BIG an impact getting adjusted can have on your immune system! So, for those that are under care, keep it up! For those that are curious about what we do, we would love the opportunity to share! – Dr. Niki
