Immune System and You
I recently read a newsletter from my Osteopath stating a variety of tips to help strengthen the immune system, which I thought to be useful information. Here is a summary of that email below, which I hope you find useful too.
The immune system
The things that you can do to improve your immune system response are also things that will improve your metabolic health and resilience. So here are some ideas split into three groups: nutrition, exercise, and psychological.
Nutrition
Much of the immune system is in the gut lining, so if you are constantly bombarding this with too much sugar, alcohol and processed food, this puts the system on alert.
Intermittent fasting as this can boost immunity and enhance longevity.
It is also important to support your microbiome, so make sure to eat fermented foods such as kombucha, kefir and sauerkraut every day.
Exercise
Exercise has an effect on the immune system but it is a Goldilocks situation. Rather than HIIT or long runs, both of which can contribute to an inflammatory state that can suppress the immune system, focus on lower-intensity activities such as walking, mobility, breathwork and yoga.
Psychological
Diaphragmatic breathing can stimulate the spleen, the home of your immune cells. It sits under the lower ribs on your left side so encouraging the movement here may improve its function.
Limit consumption of news and social media. We do need to stay abreast of world developments, but ration it to maybe once a day.
Watch some comedy or put on some music and dance instead.
Cold showers can give your immune system a boost, as well as wake you up!
Sufficient sleep is a huge factor in immune function.
Sue is a fantastic Osteopath which I highly recommend. She is based at Clapham North in London, practicing from her clinic, Backs Etc.