Strengthening Our Immune System
by Dr. Julia Jensen
To date, 746,000 Americans have lost their lives due to Covid-19. Unfortunately, infection rates are still high in our community and we are about to enter into the flu season. Influenza (flu) and Covid-19 are both contagious respiratory viruses that have the potential of compromising our respiratory system. At Center For Lifetime Health and we encourage all our patients to get vaccinated against both Covid-19 and influenza to avoid life threatening illnesses. COVID has certainly made us more mindful of ways in which we can protect ourselves and others from getting viruses that cause the common cold the flu. New practices of wearing face masks, washing our hands more frequently, and staying home when we are not feeling well decrease our chances of exposing ourselves and others to whatever viruses are prevalent in our environment.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology defines the immune system as “a network of cell types working together to defend and protect the body from invaders such as viruses, infections, and disease”. Patients often ask me how they can boost their immune system. Questions often revolve around what types of supplements I recommend or what is an adequate dose of Vitamin C…These are all great questions, but often as I look at the chart, I know there are more important changes that will make a more powerful impact. It doesn’t matter how many supplements we take, if we follow a sedentary lifestyle, have poor eating habits, and high levels of stress, we are starting with a compromised immune system.
A 2021 article in JAMA found that out of 5700 hospitalized patients with COVID from the New York City area, the most common co-morbidities were hypertension, obesity (BMI of 30 or higher), and diabetes. These are all very common chronic conditions we frequently treat in our clinic. All of these conditions can be improved by focusing on the following pillars of health:
Making sure we get adequate sleep (7-8 hours a night).
Eating a healthy diet high in vegetables, fruits, and whole foods.
Making exercise a part of our daily routine.
Limiting alcohol intake and decreasing stress in our lives.
Maintaining healthy relationships.
These are the real “immune boosters”. Center for Lifetime Health has a team of health providers that can help you on your journey towards health and wellness!
