YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

  • posted: Apr. 03, 2020

YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

More than ever it is important pay attention to your immune system. Covid-19 like most other viruses has deadly effect on the immunocompromised, but most other people if they get it it would have similar effect of a common flu and will recover without any special intervention.

So the BIG QUESTION IS: how much in control of your immunity are you? and what factors affect your immune system?

In order to answer this I need to provide you with some basic info on immunity (please note that this is by no means a comprehensive review, but just a basic fraction for your understanding).

Immunity is generally separated into two main factors: INNATE AND ADAPTIVE.

Innate immunity is the immune system you're born with, and mainly consists of barriers on and in the body that keep foreign threats out. For example, innate immunity components include skin, stomach acid, enzymes found in tears and skin oils, mucus and the cough reflex as well as chemical components including substances called interferon and interleukin-1.

Adaptive Immunity (also known as acquired immunity) targets specific threats to the body. In this type of immunity, the threat must be processed and recognized by the body, and then the immune system creates antibodies specifically designed to the threat. After the threat is neutralized, the adaptive immune system "remembers" it, which makes future responses to the same germ more efficient.

So if you read this you might think to yourself that there isn't anything you can do to affect your immunity...but that's not true.

One of the most important aspects of immunity is NUTRITION. There is a saying that I love that says "WHAT YOU EAT IS EITHER HEALING YOU OR KILLING YOU". Throughout history there have been countless examples that show that nutritional deficiencies (or excesses) can wreck havoc on the body. One of the most notable examples is VITAMIN C deficiency which causes a SCURVY which leads to anemia, debility, exhaustion, spontaneous bleeding, ulceration of the gums, and loss of teeth among others. This condition has been well known for thousands of years and was associated wit sailors during long sea voyages as they lacked fresh produce which contained vitamin C which is a necessary nutrient that helps the body absorb iron and produce collagen (which support your tissues), synthesize dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine and carnitine needed for energy production.

Vitamin C also plays a role in immune function as it contributes to immune defense by supporting various cellular functions of both the innate and adaptive immune system. According to this article from PubMed "Vitamin C supports epithelial barrier function against pathogens and promotes the oxidant scavenging activity of the skin, thereby potentially protecting against environmental oxidative stress....Vitamin C deficiency results in impaired immunity and higher susceptibility to infections......Furthermore, supplementation with vitamin C appears to be able to both prevent and treat respiratory and systemic infections."

SUGAR. 
As much of not enough of one thing is bad for you, the opposite is also true, too much of one thing can very bad for you, in particular SUGAR. Sugar has been associated with weakened immune system. Sugar triggers a low grade inflammation of the body as well as body mass which contribute to chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Research shows that consuming 75-100grams of sugar can hinder the body's immune response (this is the equivalent of 2 cans of pop or two chai lattes or other sugary drinks).

Think of nutrients as the building blocks of a strong foundation of your immune system. If your immune system was a house, is your house ready for a storm?

COMMON SENSE
It would be impossible for me to delve into each and every single nutrient, but I believe a little bit of COMMON SENSE goes a long way. Processed foods will not generally yield you the best nutrient content, and are usually packed with sugar (or its derivatives) and unhealthy additives and preservatives. Vegetables, fruits, proteins including beef, chicken and fish are great choices. A low refined grain diet is usually idea. I prefer the palo/keto diets.

MULTIVITAMIN/MINERAL & SUPPLEMENTS.
I recommend a most people take a good supplemental multivitamin/mineral. It would be difficult to know if you are getting enough of each and every nutrient, so I think it's safe to add a supplement. I addition, I supplement with extra vitamin D3/K2 combo and vitamin C daily. Yes, you are getting some of these in your multivitamin, but generally not enough. According to Harvard's Medical School most of the population may be defficient in Vitamin D3 if they don't supplement.

EXERCISES, BREATH-WORK AND COLD SHOWERS FOR IMMUNITY
In my next blog I will address the benefits of exercising, breath work and cold showers (cold exposure/immersion) in the immune system. Stay Tuned.

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Bay Chiropractic & Rehabilitation

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