This past month I have had a lot of patients come in with either the flu, or a really nasty cold. We are all exposed to bacteria and viruses on a daily basis, and the best way to fight these off and stay healthy is with a strong immune system. Since we can not completely avoid being exposed to these bacteria and viruses the best way to prevent getting sick is to find a way to boost your own immune system. How do I do that you ask?
There are several tings that you can do to help boost your immune system. Eat a nutritious diet full of antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables; get enough sleep; stay hydrated on a daily basis; minimize stress when ever possible; exercise regularly; and maintain your regular chiropractic treatments. I just read a recent article on how exercise can help boost our immune systems and it will be the focus of this month’s blog.
Research has established a link between moderate, regular exercise and a strong immune system. Early studies reported that recreational exercisers reported fewer colds once they began running. Moderate exercise has been linked to a positive immune system response and a temporary boost in the production of macrophages, the cells that attack bacteria. It is believed that regular, consistent exercise can lead to substantial benefits in immune system health over the long term.
More recent studies have shown that there are physiological changes in the immune system as a response to exercise. During moderate exercise, immune cells circulate through the body more quickly and are better able to kill bacteria and viruses. After exercise ends, the immune system generally returns to normal within a few hours, but consistent, regular exercise seems to make these changes a bit more long-lasting.
According to Professor David Nieman, Dr. PH., of Appalachian State University, when moderate exercise is repeated on a near-daily basis there is a cumulative effect that leads to a long-term immune response. His research showed that those who perform a moderate-intensity walk for 40 minutes per day had half as many sick days due to colds or sore throats as those who don’t exercise.
Here is a great article that was recently published in the New York Times on how Exercise may help us fight off colds:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/well/2015/12/16/how-exercise-may-help-us-fight-off- colds/?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&referer=http://m.facebook.com
Next month my Blog will focus on exactly how Chiropractic treatments boost your immune system.
If you have any questions on this Blog or your health in general, please feel free to contact me at: [email protected]