Cold and flu season is here and in full force. Chiropractic might not come to mind first when thinking of ways to boost your immune system, don’t worry you’re not alone! Sure chiropractic helps with other areas of our wellness like easing neck stiffness, back pain and whiplash relief, but there is so much more to chiropractic.
Our nervous system, immune system and endocrine system are all connected. They create messenger-like molecules that help with the communication process by creating optimal responses to ensure that the body can heal and adapt properly. Subluxations and certain dysfunctions inside our bodies can cause our immune system to weaken. By addressing these misalignments with your chiropractor you can strengthen your immune system and help fight off cold and flu season!
Essential ways to keep Immunity up in additional to chiropractic
Vitamin C: Citrus fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, but it’s also important to balance it with alkaline vegetables to aid in keeping your body’s PH levels well balanced.
Vitamin D: The top dog in a healthy immune system and the best source to obtain it from is the sun. For some of us in the northern hemisphere we may only get tiny windows of it per year. D3 supplements can become essential.
Quality Rest: Our bodies heal while we rest. Getting an average of 6-8 hours per sleep is recommended, this can vary.
Negative factors that affect our immune system
Stress & lack of exercise: When stress is chronic it takes a toll on our systems as well as having insufficient exercise. It has been shown that individuals who exercise have better functioning white blood cells. Exercise also aids in releasing natural hormones and endorphins that affect our brain positively. Nutrition: Consuming the right nutrition like antioxidant rich foods can help us build a warrior’s immune system. Foods include lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.