Chiropractic And Wellness Center - Chiropractor In Durham, NC USA

Posted on 2010-02-10 13:40:47

As we head into the height of flu season, patients ask, “Doc, what can I do to protect myself during flu season?” Well, have you ever heard the saying “an ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure?” There are things that you can do to reduce your chances of catching the flu. Let’s talk about some of them.

One of the first things is to pay attention to proper hygiene. What I mean is wash your hands! Since viruses are killed quite early with proper washing of hands, and we know the number one way we catch the flu is direct contact or touching our face with infected hands, it makes sense to wash your hands. Well, how do you protect yourself around others who are infected? Here are some things you can do to protect your body’s immune system and boost its ability to fight off these viruses.

Pay attention to your diet. Excessive junk food, sugar and stimulants can on a nutritional level, lower your threshold of resistance. Notice the term “threshold of resistance”? This is your body’s level of protection to fight against a common cold or flu virus. This threshold or level of protection is different from person to person. Some folks have higher thresholds than others and this correlates to the level of protection you have.

So, as you can see, what you put into your body for nutrition, can effect your body’s protection. Eat foods that are high in antioxidants such as blueberries and blackberries. Drink green tea to raise levels of interferon (a virus fighting chemical in your blood). Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables supply your body with the building blocks for a healthy immune system. Eat garlic! Garlic has a number of antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties that keep viruses at bay. Along with a healthy diet, exercise and proper sleep are crucial tomaintaining a well functioning immune system. Then there is stress. Don’t you just hate to say that word? Saying the word and thinking about stressful things makes your body feel weak. Stress, coupled with the other things talked about, will weaken our immune system. Some researchers hypothesize this is the start to serious chronic health issues. As you can see, your immune system is the “force field” that you need to protect your body.

The final thing you can do to improve your body’s ability to function optimally, is to get periodic spinal adjustments. Spinal adjustments have a direct effect on the nervous system. As you may or may not know, the nervous system controls all things in our body, all the way down to the cellular level. In a peer review article published in the Chiropractic Journal of Australia 1993; 23(4) Dec: 132-135, the results suggest that “chiropractic or manipulative treatments may influence T and B lymphocyte numbers”. These T and B lymphocytes are your “warriors” fighting battle for you daily to protect you against foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria. Patients who seek regular chiropractic care tend to stay healthier and function at their best

While many people will get the flu this year, you don’t have to be one of them. Protect yourself and arm your body with the tools it needs. Until next time, live life to the fullest!

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