HOW TO BUILD A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM💪❤🏃‍♀️

What we do every day to stay well can really impact the strength of our immune system.

You can’t stop every infection from invading your body, but you can do a lot to support your immunity to be its best. Right now we’re hearing a lot about the coronavirus. This is actually a family of viruses ranging from the common cold to SARS to the current novel coronavirus strain (nCoV) that has not been previously seen in humans. Yes, this is a scary thing and we still don’t know the full scope of nCoV, but the important thing is to focus on what we CAN do to encourage our bodies’ natural immune processes to function optimally.

Empowering people to make daily lifestyle choices to support lifelong wellness should always be the goal. Here are a few tips for building a better immune system and keeping viruses and bacteria at bay:

Move. You might not feel up to going outside for a walk in bad weather, but movement is proven to help your immune system.

Regular, moderate exercise has been shown to improve the activity of natural killer cells, which are central to your immune system function. These cells are always present, ready to attack invading infections or gobble up abnormal cells in your body, and you can influence how well they work. Aim for 40 to 60 minutes of exercise daily. Remember, however, that excessive exercise, such as training for a marathon or competing in an intense sporting event, actually puts stress on your immune system, reducing its efficiency. Elite athletes must take extra care in supporting their immune system.

Eat a whole-foods diet rich in zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin C. Malnutrition is the number-one cause of immune deficiency worldwide. You might think that malnutrition is a problem only in underdeveloped countries, but actually there are significant levels of malnutrition in the United States as well. The Standard American Diet (SAD)is high in calories, but often

deficient in nutrients that are necessary for good health and a strong immune system. For my clients who frequently get infections or have a hard time getting rid of an infection, I first make sure that they are getting certain nutrients. Zinc is an important mineral for immune system functioning; good sources are animal protein, like oysters and meat, as well as some vegetable proteins, such as beans. Vitamin A is also critical for proper immune function and is found in liver, fish, cod liver oil, chicken, and eggs. Beta-carotene (found in yellow and orange vegetables) can turn into vitamin A in your body (but not everyone makes this conversion easily). Vitamin C is another important nutrient for immune function.

Eating five or six cups of fruits and vegetables every day will give you

plenty of vitamin C.

Protect your microbiota/microbiome/gut.

Every day, we are discovering more and more about our amazing microbiota. Your microbiota creates a wall of defense that prevents infections from entering your body. When these bacteria are disrupted, our risk of getting an infection skyrockets. Probiotics have been shown to strengthen the immune system; decrease the risk of intestinal infections, asthma, and eczema; and shorten the length of the common cold. So, how can we protect the

trillions of good bacteria that line the surfaces of our body? First, eat a high-fiber, whole-foods diet. Fiber-rich foods (veggies, fruit, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds) feed these good bacteria. Second, avoid unnecessary antibiotic use. Antibiotics kill off the good bacteria along with the infections they’re treating. Don’t use antibiotics for viral infections; they are ineffective and will do more harm than good.

Get your eight hours. How often has this happened to you: You cut your sleep short for a few

nights in a row, only to find yourself sick with a head cold. Sleep is critical for your immune system. For most of us, the goal is seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Keep your bedroom dark and cool; turn off your devices (computer, cellphones, and TV) and dim the lights an hour or two before bed, to let your body know that it’s time to get ready for sleep. This will help you get the deep, restorative sleep that

is so nourishing for your immune system.

Give your body time to rest. This is not the same thing as getting enough sleep. Resting

includes taking a break from work, giving yourself time to go outside and enjoy nature, taking a yoga class, meditating, going out with friends, or enjoying a funny show. Unfortunately, with technology, many of us are finding that we can work all of the time—resist that urge! A lifetime of “busy” is not a badge of honor, and can only lead to mental, emotional and physical exhaustion.

Build rest into your schedule to help you fight infections and keep you healthy all

year long.

We can also supplement with powerful antioxidants when and if necessary. It is important to buy only quality, highly absorbable, provenly effective supplements. There are way too many fraudulent products on the market today, and what is printed on the label isn’t necessarily what’s in the bottle. It is also wise to consult someone who knows their way around the supplement world, especially if you are taking medications. Supplements can be dangerous, and interact with medications, so save your health, money and time.

There’s so much we can do to encourage a robust immune system and have a better chance against any exposures we may come across. These simple steps will help you stay protected.