6 Science-Backed Immune BOOSTERS
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted November 24, 2023
We all look forward to the fun and excitement of the holidays.
But this season can ALSO take a toll on your health.
Keeping up with social obligations, the cost of food and gifts, and the sadness of missing loved ones who are no longer here to celebrate can all send your stress levels soaring.
And that puts a strain on your immune system, turning you into a sitting duck right in the middle of cold and flu season.
Don’t get knocked off your feet by illness during the most wonderful time of the year. Instead, try these six PROVEN ways to support your overworked immune system to keep you HEALTHY all season long.
The best part of the holidays is spending more time with friends and family. But that’s ALSO when you’re most likely to get sick.
So, you will want to do anything possible to avoid being vulnerable to every virus or bug in the room.
But here’s the thing. While there is a lot of hype out there about supercharging your immune system, there are only a FEW ways to accomplish that, which stack up to scientific scrutiny.
Your immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that protect you from pathogens like bacteria and viruses.
And you can take six PROVEN steps to keep that system in tip-top shape.
- Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Lack of sufficient sleep negatively affects immune system T-cells and infection-fighting antibodies. Set a consistent sleep schedule and limit light exposure from phones and tablets before bedtime.
- Manage Stress through Relaxation: Stress hormones like cortisol can suppress immune function. Counteract holiday hype with yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, long baths, massage, or whatever activities help YOU relax. Committing to just 10 to 15 minutes of a stress-relieving activity daily will lower cortisol and support your body’s defenses.
- Incorporate Moderate Exercise: Aim for (at least) 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise like brisk walking, swimming, or cycling. This boosts circulation, lowers inflammation, and keeps white blood cells and lymphocytes circulating to scan for problems.
- Eat Immune-Boosting Foods: Eat a diet high in vegetables, lean proteins, healthy carbs, and probiotics. Load up on vitamin-C-rich foods like citrus fruits and bell peppers to support a healthy immune system. And getting more zinc from nuts and seeds and vitamin E from oils will support T-cell growth.
- Take Supplements: Vitamin C, zinc, elderberry syrup, and probiotics provide added immune support. Plus, consider a probiotic for an even bigger immune boost.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids like water, herbal tea, and broth. Proper hydration flushes toxins from the body, thins mucus, and supports lymph circulation to optimize immune function.
Follow these six steps, and then go ahead and enjoy everything this holiday season has to offer WITHOUT worrying about your immune system failing you at the worst time.
P.S. Gut bug goblin ATTACKS your immune cells [Fight BACK!]
Source:
“How does the immune system work?” Informed Health, Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006, National Library of Medicine
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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