16 Ways To Boost Your Immune System
In Tuesday’s Sneezles post I mentioned how unpleasant it was to fly across the country as I sat next to a stranger who had a wet flem cough. But that’s life, especially the travel life, and I love to travel so I let it go, really! I taught my classes, everything went swimmingly, I went to the beach and Fort Lauderdale was splendid.
Apparently the Healthy Blog Gods weren’t so quick to let go. They thought I needed to write A LOT more on the topic of airplanes and immune health. I call it: Round Two, or The Sequel, or lets just cut to the chase, IT HAPPENED AGAIN!
As I was sitting at the gate waiting to board a plane back to Denver I heard a croup-like coughing fit that sounded like a loud barking noise. It went on and on for a couple of minutes. Surprisingly, after Monday’s flight, this didn’t even phase me. After all, I’m in an airport, people and commotion are everywhere. I figured this was just someone passing through the terminal and I didn’t bother to look up from my People magazine to investigate further.
I’ve now boarded the plane, I’m fastening my seatbelt, arranging my books and i-Pod for the four-hour flight. All of a sudden I hear that horrendous croup cough, the same one I ignored in the terminal, only this time it was erupting RIGHT NEXT TO ME! I began to silently scream, “NOOOOoooooooooooo!” and a few expletives which I won’t type. There were over 150 seats on this airplane. I mean seriously! what are the odds, let alone the second time in one week?
I’m not intolerant of sick people (I was considering becoming an ER nurse at one point in my life). In my day to day life I’m not a big germ phob. It’s just that the closed in space of recycled air for hours and hours on an airplane gets to me, literally and figuratively. When someone is coughing on an airplane it reinforces that little known fact that the same air goes in and out of everyone’s lungs for the entire flight. As I mentioned in Tuesday’s post I can pin point two occasions when I boarded a plane healthy and I got off the same plane sick, so I admit that I’m a bit sensitive when it comes to this issue.
Also, I’m not trying to be mean about coughing in public, but this is how BAD this situation became. The flight attendant literally put the brakes on the beverage cart and stopped serving! Other passengers were scrambling to distance themselves away from my seatmate. She was in yet another lengthy and loud fit of non-stop whooping cough (my diagnosis at this point) kidding – kind of. The flight attendant tried to talk to her (very difficult because she couldn’t stop coughing) and assess if she was even able to breathe, and, or how contagious is she?
The cougher finally dug out some cough syrup from her carry-on luggage and this seemed to calm down her violent lung spasms. However, the coughing continued throughout the flight. Three hours later we finally landed. Ugh! I’m still not sure what was “wrong” with her although her friend insisted she wasn’t contagious.
Sometimes I think I go through certain things to simply bring more experience, insight or knowledge to my teaching. My airplane travel this week falls into adding-more-emphasis-and-awareness-to-the-immune-system-category.
When I returned home I began using my immune boosting supplements and suggestions. Here’s some things you might want to consider if you know you’re going into a situation where your immune system may be compromised i.e. airplanes, hospitals, environments with alot of people and, or closed in ventilation systems, travel – especially international, cold and flu season.
Note: Always consult your physician or healthcare provider before taking or combining supplements with other supplements or medication.
1. Vitamin C– Essential in the production of lymphocytes, has a direct effect on suppressing viruses and bacteria.
2. Zinc– People with zinc deficiencies have the poorest response to germs. According to Dartmouth College, zinc can reduce symptoms and the duration of the common cold.
3. Reishi Mushroom– The beta glucans in mushrooms bind to the T-cells, macrophages, and NK cells which elicit a strong immune response. To read a comprehensive report click here.
4. Olive Leaf Extract– Potent antimicrobial. It can inhibit the growth of a wide range of troublesome pathogens, but unlike antibiotics it spares the good bacteria in the body. Highly effective in suppressing acute flus, colds, respiratory problems and ear infections.
5. Elderberry– Prevents the flu virus from piercing the cell membrane. Stops the flu virus from replicating and speeds recovery.
6. Astragalus Root– An herb used in Chinese medicine. It is an excellent general tonic to support immune function and prevent illness. It can be beneficial for acute infection, especially colds and flu.
7. Probiotics– Can boost the level of white blood cells, stimulate macrophage activity and increase the production of the immune system’s natural antibiotic, gamma-interferon.
8. Nasal Irrigation– The Neti Pot flushes and cleans the mucus membranes in the nose. I wrote about it here. I also use, Thorne Research – QC Nasal Spray – 1 fl.oz.
9. Sleep!– Just one night of poor sleep can dramatically decrease the immune system’s activity the next day. Long, deep, restful sleep can do wonders in keeping your immune system strong.
10. Sweat– Sauna, steam room, exercise that makes you break a sweat. The skin is the largest elimination organ in the body.
11. Visualize– Imagine Pac-Man like machines gobbling up anything that should not be in your body (viruses, foreign bacteria etc). Or think of a white light that works like a vacuum and vaporizes all unwelcome visitors in your immune system.
12. Affirm-“My immune system is strong and healthy. It protects my cells, tissues and organs from foreign invaders at all times.”
13. Water- Helps flush toxins out of the body and lymph system.
14. Avoid Sugar and Eat Super Foods– Garlic, onions, blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, oranges, grapefruit, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, pumpkin, yellow squash, dark leafy green vegetables, broccoli, spinach, apples, beet greens, collard greens, salmon, cod, mackerel, sardines, flax seeds, walnuts, eggs, whey protein, extra virgin olive oil, honey, kale, lean meats, oats, pomegranates,miso, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, green tea.
15. Laugh– Increase endorphins and immune activity while reducing stress hormones with laughter.
16. Sunshine– The body manufactures Vitamin D from exposure to direct (60% of the body exposed 10-15 minutes each day, no sunscreen) sunlight. Vitamin D plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy immune system.
* References: Immunotics: A Revolutionary Way to Fight Infection, Beat Chronic Illness, and Stay Well
