Give your Immune System a Boost
Written by Dr. Kan Wednesday, 04 November 2009 12:22
With the onset of the cold and flu season, now it's a good time to boost your immune system to be in the pink of health.
Our immune system is a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend our body against attacks by “foreign” invaders. These are primarily microbes—tiny organisms such as bacteria, parasites, and fungi that can cause infections.1
With a weaken immune system, we're more susceptible to illnesses. So, to minimise our chances of “catching the bug,” it is important to keep our immune system running in optimal condition. One lesser known “side effect” of chiropractic is that, when you maintain your spine's health, your immune system actually gets a boost.
Our nervous system and immune system are actually part of the same system. The nervous system is the communication system used by all organs and systems of the body. So, any disruption to the nervous system from a spine injury (subluxation) will affect the defence and response mechanism of the immune system. The hormones and other chemicals that convey messages among nerve cells also “speak” to cells of the immune system. That is why patients who undergo chiropractic care, in general, have better and enhanced immunity.
Other than maintaining good spine health, you should also exercise good habits, such as
- Taking adequate fluid and vitamins (water, soups, vitamins, fish oil)
- Having a good night's sleep (Anywhere from 6 to 10 hours each night)
- Reduce your coffee and alcohol intake (Caffeine robs your body of minerals and vitamins, and it dehydrates you)
References
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National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Understanding the Immune System: How It Works September 2007. http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/immuneSystem
