Mailbag! Always Sick? Here’s How to Solve It.
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted June 29, 2021
I am always sick with either bronchitis or a sinus infection, just about every other week. What can I do to help get my immune system back in order?
–Lisa from Staten Island, New York
Lisa,
I’m so sorry to hear about your frequent infections. Feeling sick all the time can be draining, debilitating, and depressing.
Like many parts of your body, your immune system works (or doesn’t work) due to a variety of influences.
Let’s look at some of those and see if any of these might be the root of your problem.
Nutrition: Your immune system cells thrive on protein… and if they’re not getting enough, your immune system can shut down. The closer you can get to eating more grass-fed meat and low-sugar veggies, the better your health and your immune system will be. Avoid sugar and vegetable oils as much as you can – these both destroy your immune system.
Nutrients. Vitamins A, C, D, E, B-6, and folic acid and the minerals zinc, selenium, iron, and copper are ALL needed for a properly-functioning immune system. I suggest people take a good multivitamin to make sure they’re getting these nutrients.
Stress and Sleep. I put stress and sleep together because poor sleep and high stress can weaken the immune system’s ability to fight infection. They do so by both shrinking the number of immune cells and slowing your immune system response.
Exercise. Exercise brings oxygen and nutrients to all cells in your body and helps remove wastes. If you can, get outside when you exercise – indoor air is notoriously bad for your health.
Oral health. It may seem strange to see this on the list, but people with frequent infections are often getting them from an unlikely place: their own mouths. You can fight these infections by eating a low-sugar diet and making sure your floss and brush often. Make a trip to your dentist, and they can tell you if your gums are overly infected.
Supercharge your immune system. Herbs like Goldenseal, echinacea, oregano oil, and olive leaf extract can all help give your immune system the boost it needs to protect your body.
Best of luck, Lisa! Following these recommendations should put your immune system in order.
– Dr. Scott Olson, ND
P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? Click here to submit your questions and get featured in the weekly mailbag!
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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