With the lockdown easing up and possible exposure to COVID -19 increasing and the winter flu season approaching – it is more important than ever to stay healthy and optimize your immune function.
Optimizing immune function is important – we want your body to easily and effectively handle any foreign invaders – like unwanted viruses and bacteria.
The obvious question is:
How do you optimize immune function?
There are many paths to healing and many ways to create health and improve immune function. A number of months ago I described the importance of sleep in maintaining good immune function. You can read about that here.
Food also has a strong impact on our immune function.
In a recent meta-analysis that examined the effects of fruit and/or vegetable intake on inflammatory biomarkers and immune cell function researchers reviewed 83 studies. Their conclusion based on those 83 studies is that higher intakes of fruit and vegetables both reduced proinflammatory markers and enhanced immune cell function. (Check out the study here)
Yes – a higher intake of fruits and vegetables makes your immune system function better.
How does this work? Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of immune protecting substances such as fiber, folate, and vitamins. They also contain antioxidants – often associated with the color of the fruit or vegetable – and other phytochemicals that are important for optimal functioning of the immune system.
Richly colored fruits and vegetables like blueberries, pomegranates, carrots, spinach and beets are high in antioxidants – those chemicals of color – that give your immune system a boost.
So go crazy and pile up your plate with different colored fruit and vegetables and give your immune system an even greater boost.
Another way to boost immune function is acupuncture.
Studies are beginning to show that acupuncture can improve immune function by modulating the activities of white blood cells like macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells and lymphocytes and improving immunoglobulin production.
But you don’t need a needle to stimulate an acupuncture point. You can benefit at home by applying acupressure daily to points that are used to boost immunity and energy.
ST 36 (zusanli) is probably the most famous acupuncture point. It was named leg three mile by the ancients because patients who were previously too exhausted to walk were able to trek 3 miles after treating this point.
ST 36 is known for its ability to boost the body’s energy levels. In recent years it is receiving a lot of research attention because of its ability to boost the body’s immune system.
It is located four finger widths down from the bottom of your kneecap, along the outer boundary of your shin bone. You can stimulate and massage it each day to boost your immune function.
So there you have it – fruits, vegetables and acupuncture are all excellent ways to boost your immune function and keep you healthy.
Here’s to a healthy winter!
