It can be difficult to keep your immune system in tip-top shape, and winter months and cold and flu season put it to the real test.
While eating a healthy diet, exercising often and getting regular chiropractic adjustments all help, there’s, even more; you can do.
The Chiropractors at AICA Atlanta recommend giving your immune system a lift by avoiding these sometimes-surprising saboteurs:
Antibiotics
Cytokines, messenger cells that help change or regulate other cells to evoke an immune response, rapidly decrease while taking a course of antibiotics. While there is certainly a place and time for antibiotic medication, they should be avoided for a cold, flu or another type of virus if possible.
Manage cold symptoms instead by boosting your vitamin C and water intake and heading to your body’s signals that it needs extra rest.
Dehydration
Without proper hydration, our bodies have a difficult time flushing away damaging toxins. The most definite sign you are getting all the water you need is urine that is clear or light yellow in color wherever you go—even first thing in the morning.
If not, increase the volume of water you drink until you achieve natural clear or pale yellow results.
Extra Weight
It is widely known that obesity increases your risk of developing many illnesses, but new studies show that obesity can also contribute to dysfunction of the immune system. Talk to your doctor about healthy ways to reach and maintain your ideal weight.
Inadequate Sleep
While sleeping, your body has time to rest and rebuild, preparing it and your immune system for a healthy tomorrow.
A 2009 Carnegie Mellon study showed the chances of catching a cold could triple for people who get less than seven hours of sleep each night.
Avoid late nights and all-nighters as much as possible to help keep your immune system robust and resilient.
Processed Foods
It is no secret processed foods are unhealthy. Chock full of preservatives, pesticides, and additives, these compounds weaken the body’s ability to fight off illness.
Take a serious look at the contents of your fridge and pantry. Ditch or donate processed items and replace with lean proteins, veggies, and fruits.
Many scientifically based studies prove how unhealthy sugar is for consumption.
A study by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that consuming 100 grams of sugar—roughly the amount in a sweetened yogurt or regular soft drink —significantly reduced the immune system’s ability to kill bacteria for up to five hours.
Learn More By Contacting the Chiropractors at AICA Atlanta
Pay close attention to everywhere sugar lurks, even condiments, dressings, and bread, and find ways to decrease your intake.
You can learn more and receive professional support by contacting AICA Atlanta today. Schedule a consultation by filling out our online submission form or by calling us at (404) 889-8828.
