“Immune Support for the Seasons” by Dr. Morlan

Recently at Joy Centers, we hosted a free Immune Support class for friends, family and members of the community. Attendees were informed with some excellent tips about ways to boost the immune system. I had some delicious tea with a splash of elderberry during our class. During my preparation for the class, I realized that simple methods that people employ to help stay healthy and boost their immune system, during the cold weather seasons, are often overlooked or completely forgotten. Some of the points that were worth mentioning, during the class, I review below.

  1. Hand Washing is paramount to the prevention and transmission of bacteria/viruses. Washing hands after coming into contact with someone who might be infected or after touching doorknobs, handles, shopping carts etc. can be extremely helpful for flu prevention. It helps to make a practice of hand washing hygiene during an infection as well.
  2. Decreasing or eliminating processed sugar (cane sugar, coconut sugar, baked goods, cakes/pies, etc.) intake will allow your immune system to function better. Processed sugar, in nearly all forms, weakens the body’s immune system by promoting inflammation, leaving you susceptible to opportunistic infections. Berries are a great source of vitamin C.
  3. Exercise is a great way to boost the immune system. For those that are able to exercise, movement of the body assists the immune cells by increasing the circulation of the blood and lymphatic system. The circulation of blood and lymph may help to increase immune cell surveillance while increasing the amount of oxygen and nutrients delivered to tissues around the body.
  4. Stay hydrated and drink pure water. Our bodies are made up mostly of water. Dehydration does not allow the cells in our body to function at their best to run our metabolism and prevents the immune system from functioning at its best. Distilled or water filtered via reverse osmosis is the most effective filtration for removing impurities/contaminants.
  5. Organic Fruits and Vegetables are a great way to provide the body with macro and micronutrients that may be used to fight off infection. Increased fruits and vegetables in the diet, combined with a decrease in consumption of processed sugar, can speed up the recovery of illness and help to prevent “getting sick.”
  6. Decreasing Stress and Increasing Quality Sleep are imperative to helping the body fight off potential infectious agents, in combination with all of the above. I encourage my patients to eliminate exposure to any/all electronic screens at least 2 hours before bed, and preferably, when the sun sets. LED and compact fluorescent bulbs should be traded out for “good ol’ incandescent” light bulbs. This will help the body’s melatonin secretion, a hormone/antioxidant to assist with sleep.

Join us on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 for our monthly Tea Talk where we will discuss methods of stress reduction. (joycenters.com)