It's that time of year. When us Californians get the biggest change of weather. Costa Mesa changes a whopping 10-15 degrees throughout the year. Be that as it may, Californian's still get the usual cold and flu symptoms. While I don't advocate flu shots, I thought I would give you tips on how to prevent getting sick during the next few months.
First, you have to keep your immune system healthy. The easiest thing to do is avoid extremes. Extremes can include temperature, eating habits (too much, too little, too much sugar, etc.), drinking in excess and stressing too much. These are some of the things to avoid. Next are things you can do.
Wash you hands. Most bacteria and viruses are spread through contact.
Drink plenty of water. Water flushes your system, washing out the poisons and rehydrates you. An adult needs about eight 8-ounce glasses a day.
Get outside into the fresh air. Especially in cold weather when central heating dries you out and makes your body more vulnerable to cold and flu viruses.
Exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise speeds up the heart to pump larger quantities of blood; makes you breathe faster to help transfer oxygen from your lungs to your blood; and makes you sweat once your body heats up. These exercises help increase the body's natural virus-killing cells.
Eat fruits and vegetables. These foods contain phytochemicals. Natural chemicals in plants give the vitamins in food a supercharged boost. So put away those vitamins and eat real fruits and vegetables or substitute with a whole food supplement like Juice Plus.
Eat Yogurt. Some studies have shown that eating a daily cup of low-fat yogurt can reduce your susceptibility to colds by 25 percent. Researchers think the beneficial bacteria in yogurt may stimulate production of immune system substances that fight disease.
Relax. Get a massage. If you can teach yourself to relax, you can activate your immune system on demand. There's evidence that when you put your relaxation skills into action, your interleukins -- leaders in the immune system response against cold and flu viruses -- increase in the bloodstream. Train yourself to picture an image you find pleasant or calming. Do this 30 minutes a day for several months. Keep in mind, relaxation is a learnable skill, but it is not doing nothing. People who try to relax, but are in fact bored, show no changes in blood chemicals.
Get adjusted. Many chiropractors have noticed that chiropractic adjustments have helped prevent or reduce the duration of their patients’ colds. Preliminary results of an ongoing chiropractic study show that chiropractic may increase immunoglobulin A levels and that it decreases the levels of glucocorticoid cortisol, a major component of stress.
Follow these simple tips and have a wonderful holiday season.
Happy October!
Dr. Brian Heller
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