It's been nearly a year since we first heard of the virus that changed our world, and it's never been more important to keep your guard up.
Before we begin, a brief note:
*PLEASE always talk to your doctor before making any major lifestyle changes, and always consult and nutrition professional before changing your diet and supplement regimen.
The following article contains references to scientific journals and studies, each are linked in their respective section. Please consult with your doctor and refer to cdc.gov for more information on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now let's get this party started!
It feels as if it's been forever since this all started, and a lot of people may feel as though we're almost to the end of the tunnel.
I can assure you we are not anywhere close.
We've heard many times about the 1918 influenza pandemic. Did you know that that "Spanish Flu" outbreak is actually what we call H1N1, or Flu A, today?
1918 was over 100 years ago, and we still see massive numbers of cases of the virus every single year.
If there's one thing I'm certain of, it's that COVID-19 is not going away any time soon.
Things may get better, but just like you see the flu today, you'll see new strains and lots of cases each year of COVID-19 for many, many years to come.
Viruses are really tricky things since they are alive and actually attach to our cells and can change the inside parts of our cells.
Whenever we try to do things to kill a virus, it has the capability to change just enough so that whatever we try doesn't quite do the trick (hey, flu B!).
Since viruses are always one step ahead, here are a few ways that we can keep our immune system two steps ahead!
This doesn't mean we'll never get sick again, it just means we may not get sick as often and, if we do, it shouldn't be as bad as it could be.
Top tips to keep your immune system in tip top shape:
Eat a balanced diet as often as possible- that includes carbs, fats, protein, and fiber!
You knew it was coming! This is truly one of the most useful tips. Including lots of
fresh veggies in your diet not only provides a ton of micronutrients to support
healthy immune response, but a balanced diet also supports organ systems (like
the brain, liver, and digestive tract) that are necessary to fight any infection and
keep your body strong.
*Did you know that the majority of the immune response lies in your GUT HEALTH?!
This does NOT mean you should do a cleanse or take "gut health advice" from
someone who is not a nutrition/GI specialist, but it DOES mean that you should
really value adding veggies and NATURAL sources of probiotic (like kombucha and
sauerkraut) in moderation.
Get a balanced source of vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and other nutrients each day.
I recommend a high quality multivitamin each day. I take one, I have my family
members take one, I have my clients take one. This is the one I recommend, but
whichever one you choose- be warned. The supplement industry has very few
ethical obligations to ensure safety of a product before it's released. If it's not
backed by scientists and specialists who know safe standards and ethical supple-
ment practices, look elsewhere.
Sorry, but your friend on Facebook loses this round. Unless they're a trained
nutrition professional, they have no place to be selling you any type of supplement
or giving you any type of advice.
*For more information on the supplement industry and to find out if the above
multivitamin is right for you, please reach out to Bailey for a free discovery call.
Get enough sleep...every night.
Sleep affects everything. Poor sleep quality and patterns can lead to decrease in
cognitive function, hormone imbalances, slowed metabolism, uncontrolled
appetite, cardiovascular disease, and- you guessed it! Lowered immune response.
Getting quality AND quantity in your sleep is important. If you're having trouble
falling asleep and staying asleep, try some unsalted almonds* and cherries as an
after dinner snack as they help naturally promote melatonin. If sleep does not
improve, talk with a doctor or reach out to us for more suggestions!
*If you have a tree nut allergy, always check the contents of your food AND
supplement sources to avoid allergic reaction.
**More information on sleep disruption consequences:
Stop with the cleanses and detoxes.
You really are probably causing more harm than good. Your kidneys and liver detox
and cleanse your body on their own. Let's focus more on supporting them through
good eating habits and proper hydration instead of throwing probiotics and juice
and shakes that have artificial ingredients and not enough calories at them.
What the people promoting these products don't know is that some of the
ingredients in shakes, detox teas, and other "magic pill" products can interfere
with medications and natural body processes as well as hormone and neurologic
pathways. As mentioned above, if hormones or brain function or gut microbiome
is out of whack, it's really hard to keep your immune system high-functioning.
Not to mention, the majorty of products marketed for gut health or immune health
have unregulated ingredients in them and often contain borderline dangerous
levels of probiotics or nutrients. Buyer beware.
The immune system is a marvel. There are so many ways we can protect it!
Improving your immune response is kind of like hiring a wealth management consultant.
It may be an investment up front in learning some new ways of living, but you'll always rest easy knowing that your money is safe and that you'll be able to stay afloat in the future, no matter what may come.
The immune system is just like that.
You may have to learn some new information and try some different things, but you'll have certainty that your longevity will be increased and that your body will stay healthy and functional for a very long time to come.
Do you want MORE immune system smarts?!
Are you ready to protect your body and support a long life of health?!
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