First, lets talk about the immune system and how it works when your body gets around a bacteria or virus.
The immune system is the body’s defense against infections. The immune system attacks germs and helps keep us healthy. The nervous system is in complete control of the immune system.
The major organs of the immune system = thymus, lymph system, spleen, bone marrow, tonsils and adenoids.
A babies immune system is not mature at birth to the first year of life. Breastfeeding is the first start of helping your babies immune system develop. As kids constantly put objects in their mouth they are getting a constant exposure to antigens that works and strengthens the immune system.
The immune system develops when in combat/sickness— colds, fevers, flu — is the method that the immune system uses to strengthen immunity. When we are sick there is a reason for all the coughing, extra runny noses, vomiting, fevers — it is the bodies way of getting toxins/sickness out.
After we get sick – our immune system had a chance to grow stronger. When we try to interfere with the process with medicine or antibiotics (they are necessary sometimes) but this does not give the immune system time to get stronger. Symptoms are a sign the body is healing itself. By treating symptoms you are suppressing the bodies natural response and not letting the immune system kick in to do its job fully.
What can we do when we are sick then??? We should look to boost the body function to speed up the healing process.
A properly functioning nervous system should be first priority in strengthening the immune system since it is the nervous system that sends signals to the specific organs associated with our immune system and fighting off sickness.
Nerve dysfunction (from an area in the spine not working properly) is stressful to the body – lowering the immune response and lessens the overall capability of the immune system aka — constantly catching everything that you come in contact with, or having a cold for weeks or months.
A balanced diet is a requirement for normal function of the human body. However, our diet in this environment may be limited in our inability to get the right food combination. The use of supplement has helped to bridge this gap. These supplements often contain micro-elements and vitamins, which help the immune system function.
What we are going to cover are some tips to help you easily add into your daily routine or when you start to get signs of being run down.
- Get adjusted regularly and increase frequency when you are sick.
- Organs involved in the immune system: Tonsils, adenoids, lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, thymus gland, spleen, appendix, kidney, liver etc.
- Proper nervous system function with specific Neuro-Structural Chiropractic adjustments promote health. It gets these organs working at 100% to be able to fight off any viruses or bacteria that we may come in contact with.
- We are not saying you won’t catch anything because it will likely happen. We get sick for a reason. It’s usually our body telling us we need to slow down and take care of ourselves first by getting restful sleep, nutritious foods and the right supplements.
- Supplements (see below for detailed list)
- Elderberry Syrup
- Essential Oils
- Eat Clean
- Viruses and bacteria feed off of an acidic and sugar rich environment. Try to eat more alkaline foods to balance it out.
- Get Extra Sleep
- Homeopathy
- Decrease Stress Levels
- Increase Water Intake
Supplements to help support your body during flu season:
- Multivitamin specific to your age and sex.
- Omegas (Healthy Fats)
- Helps to decrease overall inflammation in the body. It promotes joint health and cellular health. We can get healthy fats from our diet but most of us need an extra amount than what we can get through our diet.
- Probiotics: improve the good bacteria in your gut. Gut health is so important to boost your immune system naturally. 70% of cells needed for a healthy immune system are in your gut! A supplement gives you the biggest variety of good bacteria in amounts that are almost impossible to get through just food alone.
- Examples of food:
- Kombucha
- Sauerkraut
- Yogurt (this is good for when you are feeling great but when you are congested decrease dairy in the diet.)
- Keifer (I have added this to smoothies.
- Vitamin D3 with K2:
- If you do not get much natural sunlight (aka live in MN with long winters) then a supplement is recommended. Vitamin D is a great vitamin for your body stay healthy during flu season. Vitamin D3 with K2 supplement is a form that is more readily available for the body to use more efficiently.
- Increase dosage when you are feeling sickness start or when you are sick.
- Vitamin C
- D-Hist for kids and adults.
- This supplement has Vit. C, NAC, quercetin, Bromelain — all immune system support.) This is great to take as a maintenance supplement to help keep your body able to fight off whatever it is around or also up the dose when you catch a cold.
- Basic Vitamin C supplement is also great.
- Zinc
- Zinc supports the immune system and is known to reduce the severity and duration of common colds.
**Ask if you have any questions! I use an online program (FullScript) where I can set you up an account for you to be able to order professional grade supplements whenever you need them. Balanced Health Patients get 10% off all the time!
Breakfast Meal Prep
Makes 6 servings!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons oil divided
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 1 medium onion halved and sliced into ¼-inch pieces
- 2 medium red bell pepper
- 2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and diced, about 4 cups (1½ pounds)
- 12 eggs
- 1 tablespoon butter
- scallions thinly sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add sausage. Cook 5 to 6 minutes or until done, breaking up sausage with a spatula. If using bacon, fry in skillet until crisp – don’t drain.
- Add remaining oil (omit if using bacon) and onion, pepper, and sweet potato. Cover. Cook 4 to 5 minutes or until softened.
- Uncover. Cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until potatoes are lightly browned. Add seasonings to your liking and stir well.
- Meanwhile, crack 12 cold eggs into a deep saucepan and add ghee.
- Cook eggs over high heat. Stir continuously with a rubber spatula, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan. Don’t whisk. After 30 seconds, remove pan from heat. Keep stirring. After 10 seconds, return pan to heat. Repeat for 3 minutes. In the last minute, season eggs with a pinch or two of salt and pepper.
- Divide into portions. In each container, place 1 1/2 cups sweet potato hash and 1/2 to 3/4 cups scrambled eggs. Top with scallions. Let cool, then cover and refrigerate.