Head off at the Pass - 3 Steps for Immediate Immune Support
Did you know the best time to support your immune system is……wait for it…..EVERY DAY!
While this is absolutely essential and will be discussed more in depth in future articles, we can’t exactly turn back time when we start feeling that creeping tickle in the back of the throat, the faint headache or the tugging fatigue or unique aching of the joints. These are usually the first signs or symptoms we notice (not the first ones the immune system sends!) and it is when we want to take immediate action.
The problem is that many of us are so very busy and distracted or completely distant from our body awareness, that these warning signs are ignored, “pushed through,” or worse yet, suppressed by fast acting medications. Then it may feel like this major shock when we suddenly find ourselves in a full-blown inflammatory crisis. Is this how you experience illness? Like you’ve been hit by a bus with no idea that you were standing in the middle of the road?
As a nutritionist and having been in the health and wellness field for many years, I’ve often taken for granted the lessons I’ve learned along the to cultivate my “physician within.” Being your own physician takes practice, courage and awareness. As daunting as this may seem in this pill popping culture of ours, cultivating your internal healer is not only empowering but is fast becoming a necessity in advocating for your health.
Now back to nipping that cold or flu in the bud! There’s a critical time for the immune system when it is first detecting an invader. Our first line defense of the immune system will be observed in “barriers” like skin, mucosal membranes, stomach acid and enzyme secretions. The ears, nose and throat are often site of initial exposure, and they also happen to be where we may notice symptoms. This is also when to begin taking action and paying attention to nutrition, lifestyle, environment and stress.
Here are 3 steps you can take to support a healthy and balanced immune response!
1. Support your sleep!
Inflammatory symptoms like headaches, sinus irritation, coughing and body aches can significantly impair sleep quality. There are many strategies for helping your body modulate this inflammation in order to allow for healing sleep.
Hot bath before bed. We need heat to support our cell’s own energy. This heat can also bring the body into a parasympathetic state, otherwise known as “rest and digest.” *For additional therapy add Epsom Salts, MSM powder, Mustard powder, Essential oils like eucalyptus, rosemary, thyme, peppermint or lavender.
Nutraceuticals. Consider using supplements that support healthy inflammatory response such as turmeric (curcumin), Boswellia, melatonin or quercetin.
2. Fluids
Staying well hydrated is essential for the transport of important immuno-supporting nutrients, detoxification pathways, increasing lymphatic draining and making sure we are clearing out any foreign invaders and other waste materials. Dehydration can contribute to muscle tension, headaches, low serotonin production and digestive issues.
Focusing on fluids can also be a strategy for delivering enough nutrition. Often our energy and appetites may decrease, putting us at risk of either nutrient depletion or dehydration.
In addition to drinking enough water, consider other ways to increase your fluid intake.
Drink broth throughout the day. This can be meat stock, bone broth or any vegetable broth
I really love Dr. Josh Axe’s Secret Detox Drink and will drink 1-2 of these daily to continually encourage healthy detox.
Herbal Teas. Look for blends that include both immune and detox support with herbs like milk thistle, echinacea, elderberry, astragalus, dandelion root and slippery elm.
3. Avoid the uppers and downers.
Yes, you read that right and no, I am not referring to recreational drugs. We use uppers like caffeine and downers like alcohol often, for some of us, daily. This can create imbalances in our stress hormone response and may suppress healthy immune function. Give your system a temporary pause from this up and down, your body will thank you.
