Did you know you can improve your immune system? That you have more control than you think?
You already know to wash your hands and do not touch your face, but what else can we do.. You will learn more… JUST KEEP READING!
We just had a great virtual event on this very topic this weekend. We had a great turn out and had so many great questions, so I decided to summarize what we talked about here so more people can protect their bodies buy building a strong health immune system. Here are some helpful and positive things you can implement into your family life to bolster your body’s ability to deal with any sickness (and maybe even prevent it).
The food we put in our mouth and the environment we create through movement/stress plays a big role in our health and whether or not we get sick.
Immune system
80% to 90% of our immune system is in our gut!
That is right..
We have good bacteria that lives in our gut and healthy foods we eat feeds these good bacteria. But also, the bad foods, stress, lack of sleep also affects these bacteria, but not in a good way.
When we do not feed the good bacteria the right way, our immune system will attack itself if it is revved up creating autoimmune conditions or revved down and you catch everything from getting sick, to getting infections, cancer, etc.. All because your immune system is lowered.
So what can be done to improve your immune system?
1. Eat plants
Guess what our good bacteria feeds off of?
You guessed it, plants. Nutrition and plants are the foundation for our body. When we eat other foods such as processed foods, sugary boxed foods and drinks and yes even animal foods; it suppresses our good bacteria. That is not a good thing. Now I am not saying you have to be vegan/vegetarian or what ever titles we get scared of, but your gut bacteria is vegan!
Plants also have FIBER.. This is also soo good for our gut as well as all the vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Animal foods have very little of these nutrients. And YES, Plants have protein!!
Did you know we need to get 9-13 servings of plants every day!! YIKES!! Yes, I did say every day. And if you have disease or sickness or exercise you need more….
I know, I know.. But how do you do this.. It takes a lot of planning.. Here is the deal. This is something I do and recommend along with eating as many plants as possible, it is a whole food plant product that I recommend.
These plants in a capsule (a salad in a capsule) are grown in small to mid size farms are vineriped, no use of pesticides or herbicides. Once picked they freeze it and blend everything together (rind, core, seeds which has so much nutrition) and then take the water, sugar, and salt out of it at a low temperature. What you get is a powder. It is like juicing without the mess. Plus they have over 35 articles published in top medical journals (I like that as a healthcare provider because no one has this).
Want to learn more... CLICK HERE
2. Sleep A TON.
A lack of sleep has been linked to higher levels of stress and inflammation in the body. We heal when we get a good nights sleep. If there were ever a time to go to sleep soon after it gets dark and create a sleep ritual, it’s now. We recommend 50+ hours per week during normal life. But if you want to optimize your immune system, shoot for OVER 8 hours per night. Don’t wake up with an alarm clock. Let your body wake up naturally.
3. Drink lots of water
Our body is made up of mostly water. Most of us walk around dehydrated. Water helps to detox the body. Water helps to cut your cravings and helps with temperature regulation in our body. We need to get around 80-120 ounces of water daily.. And when you are stressed, it needs to be in the upper end. Also if you drink coffee, drink wine/beer, or anything else that dehydrates you; you need more water. It is amazing how the body will feel if you are consistent with your water intake.
4. Eat fermented foods
Sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, kombucha etc. The probiotics in these have been shown to help modulate the immune response. Pack your diet full of these immune boosters.
5. Get your Omega 3’s
American’s are depressingly deficient in Omega 3’s. We eat way too many Omega 6’s. Omega 3’s are like the brake pedal for the immune system and Omega 6’s are like the gas pedal. If you want to decreased inflammation in your body, you probably need a brake pedal. So stock up. Seaweed, chia, flaxseed are a great food source of omega 3s. We have a great plant based Omega 3,5,6,7,9…
You literally get the wide spectrum of omegas from plants in an oil.. CLICK HERE to learn more
What to learn how to get your own supply of this plant-based omega- CLICK HERE to learn how.
6. Exercise. Every. Darn. Day.
There are so many benefits to exercise. Get out side and the benefits will increase. I am amazed at how taking a hike can calm my brain down. Motion is lotions to our body and our joints. It helps with mental health and helps to improve your sleep. If we can physically exhaust our body, your sleep will improve. So get out and get moving.
