Over the past few months, news reporting has rarely referred to the importance of the immune system. Boosting the immune system, especially during a pandemic, is crucial. While health is an “inside job”, it’s human nature to want a quick fix and try to make someone else responsible for one’s health, but in the end, we are the ones in control of getting and staying healthy. 

There is never going to be a synthetic drug or a vaccination that could compare to taking control of our own health and bullet-proofing the immune system. While the body knows exactly how to protect itself and is resilient when under attack, it functions best when the immune system is fully charged and healthy.

Nutraceuticals 

Years ago, the quality of food intake would help determine the quality of health. Today this is only partially true. The typical American diet is rooted in processed food, wheat and dairy, and comes up short on nutrition. Add to that challenges that stem from our external environment, for example, depleted soil nutrients, GMO food and heavy metals. Restoring nutraceuticals provides key support for a strong immune system. Nutraceuticals are pharmaceutical grade organic vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, digestive enzymes and probiotics that everyone needs. 

Nutrition is linked to the immune system directly by supplying the building blocks the body needs to function at peak performance, and indirectly by influencing gut microbiome.

The gut microbiome is responsible for communication between the brain and immune system. It also influences how much cortisol you produce, therefore affecting energy and sleep. Too much cortisol weakens the immune response. The health of microbiome influences the health of the intestinal wall which is a physical first line of defense against disease.

Autoimmune

Micro deficiencies of zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, as well as a void in necessary vitamins A, C, D and E, are all linked to a weakened immune system. Research has also shown that low vitamin D levels also lead to a multitude of auto-immune diseases.

Autoimmune disease happens when the body attacks itself from the inside. There are over 125 identified autoimmune diseases, and that number is climbing. These diseases impact many different areas in the body, and commonly result in inflammation, chronic pain, organ or tissue damage, and overwhelming fatigue.

Mental health is also important in building a strong immune system. Healing past trauma is often the missing piece of the autoimmune disease reversal puzzle. The body responds to emotional levels, and learning how to heal emotional hurts allows us to reclaim our bodies and help eliminate pain, fatigue and inflammation.

Insomnia 

Deficient sleep not only increases the chances of getting sick, it also prolongs recovery. The body produces and releases cytokines during  sleep. Cytokines are proteins that target inflammation. Sleep is important part of boosting the immune system, strengthening digestion and calming the autonomic nervous system. Relaxation is so critical to help alleviate stress that meditation is highly recommended. Research shows that meditation decreases inflammation and bolsters immune function.

Natural Immune Boosting

Even beyond a pandemic, boosting the immune system is essential for a healthy life, and can be accomplished naturally through proper nutrition, essential nutraceuticals, proper balance of vitamins and minerals, restful sleep and stress reduction. 

Dr. Peter Amato, founder of Inner Harmony Wellness Center, is a board-certified doctor of Natural Medicine, holds a PhD in Mind-Body Medicine, an MA in Transpersonal Psychology and a BA in Nutrition. He pioneered of one of the nation’s first integrative wellness centers. His approach to healing interweaves functional medicine, energy medicine, psychology and neurology. 

Location: 131 Reynolds Rd., Dalton. For more information, call 570-319-6073 or visit InnerHarmonyWellness.com