HEALTH NEWS

A Game Plan for Optimizing Immune Function

By Dr. Linda J. Dobberstein, DC, Board Certified in Clinical Nutrition

March 9, 2020

Your immune system works everyday 24/7. It relies on good daily self-care and maintenance by you so it can do its job. It must be properly fueled and supported with a healthy diet and lifestyle. Here are some tips to help ensure optimal immune function.

1. Avoid sugar. Sugar weakens your white blood cells, literally causing germ fighting cells to act like “their hands are tied behind their back” for several hours after a single exposure of sugar.

2. Eat a diet rich in antioxidants daily. High quality fruits and vegetables like broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, kale, carrots, potatoes, garlic, oranges, kiwis, and papaya contain antioxidant vitamins C, A, and zinc.

3. Support your immune and lymphatic system’s natural daily function with vitamins A, C, and D, zinc, and arabinogalactan. Daily Protector and Immune Plus make a great foundational team.

4. Get enough sleep. Sleep deprivation is a fast way to getting run down and opens the door for a de-energized immune system.

5. Periodically clean your home and work area. Wipe down door handles, key boards, remotes, faucet handles, automobile steering wheels, etc. with a natural cleanser. Tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, lemon oil, peppermint oil, citricidal grape fruit seed extract, hypochlorous acid and many others can be helpful without a harsh chemical smell.

6. Stay home if you are sick. If you are sick and must go out, wear a surgical mask or even a pair of light gloves to avoid exposing others.

Immune Support and Function

Your immune system uses antioxidants everyday for its daily activities. Stress, toxins, dietary challenges, and lifestyle may increase antioxidant needs. Consider support such as Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Daily Protector Eye & Immune, Astaxanthin and Activator Plus.

Super Immune Booster is a favorite immune supplement. It contains colostrum, olive leaf extract, beta glucan and arabinogalactan, a well-rounded combination of nutrients that supports optimal immune cell function. It may be combined with other respiratory and immune support such as Oregano Oil or Immune Plus for extra assistance.

Super Immune Booster dosage is 1-4 capsules up to four times per day. Oregano Oil dose is 1-4 softgels per day. Take Oregano Oil with food if you have a sensitive stomach.

Immune Plus contains arabinogalactan just like Super Immune Booster. Immune Plus may be used by itself or with Super Immune Booster for extra support. Arabinogalactan aids in lymph circulation and may help congestion or pressure in head, neck, shoulders, or chest. It is excellent for both adults and children. The powder option mixes easily in water. Take before going to school or work. Powder: 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon, up to 4 times per day. Capsules: 1-5 capsules, up to 4 times per day.

Colloidal Silver is a great product to have on hand. It may be used as needed orally or in a mouth rinse. For a mouth rinse, use Colloidal Silver (1 tsp) in 3-4 ounces of warm water. Gargle with the solution and spit. It may be mixed with Iosol Iodine (1 dropper full), and ¼ teaspoon sea salt for an enhanced mouth rinse.

Take 1 teaspoon Colloidal Silver orally. Repeat up to four times per day. It may be used for maximum of 2 weeks, then take a break.

Additional support for immune function includes Turmeric Gold 1-3 caps/day, Quercetin 4-8 caps/day, Strengthener Plus (with zinc) 1-3 caps/day, and/or Super Dophilus (probiotic) 2-6 caps/day.

5. Most of your immune system is located in your digestive tract. A healthy gut is essential for a healthy immune system. Consider Super Dophilus, Turmeric Gold, GI & Muscle Helper, and/or BioPure Protein for support. Avoid dairy, sugar, alcohol and any of your known food intolerances to reduce the load on the lymphatic system.

Digestive Helper is great to help with a weak appetite, if you get tired after eating or have gas/bloating with meals. It helps break down all types of foods. Warm, cooked foods (soups, stews, bone broth, slow-cooked/crock-pot) are more favorable than cold, raw foods when appetite is weak. Extra protein like Daily Protein may be an easy way to fortify protein needs if cooking is difficult.

Other Tips

Remember that immune system function requires healthy mitochondria. When you get slammed with fatigue that keeps you grounded on the couch or in bed, this reflects that your immune-mitochondria activity is diverting its energies to fight the battle at hand. Rest and nourishment are critical. Trying to do too much too soon or being run down in general, makes it harder for mitochondria to do their job.

Do not over extend yourself after you are on the mend. All too often, a person goes back to work, has a stressful situation, or starts back on their regular work-out regime only to find that things get flared up again. Give your body a chance to recover. If your energy is solid for a few days, then gradually resume work, exercise and athletic activities. Continue to avoid sugar.