Boosting Your Immune System- A Chiropractor's Perspective

A few patients called this week to cancel their chiropractic appointments.   When I ask them the reason, they said that they were sick and did not want to spread their illness.  Although I appreciate their thoughtfulness, I had to remind them that taking care of their nervous system while they are ill is one of the most important things that they can do to get well.  The nervous system controls one’s immune system, and therefore getting their chiropractic adjustment to balance their nervous system may be one of the most important things that they can do for themselves. 

Aside from getting your chiropractic adjustments to improve your resistance against infection, what else can you do? 

To start with, you should consider what you put in your mouth.  Choose your fats carefully.  Opt for unsaturated vegetable fats rather than saturated ones from animal foods, which may decrease the white blood cells ability to destroy bacteria.  One should also avoid hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats, which are often found in baked and processed foods.  Research has also found that sugar can impair your body’s white blood cells from deactivating or killing bacteria.  Try instead natural sweetener such as stevia, and avoid  calorie-free alternatives such as aspartame. 

Your immune system also responds to exercise by more blood cells production, which helps to attack bacteria.  Recent research shows that moderate exercise five to six days a week can reduce your cold and sore frequency by half.

Get adequate sleep.  Sleep is the time when your immune system regenerates.  Some 5-7 million Canadian adults suffer from sleep disorders or the inability to stay awake and alert.  Studies have shown that T-cells, immune cells for the body goes down with sleep deprivation.  Get your ZZZs and stave off nasty illness such as the flu.

Chiropractic is a way of life.  To find out how chiropractic can help with your family and friends, please call our Mississauga office at 905-821-4951.