Everyone is exposed to viruses and germs on a daily basis, but we aren’t sick every day from that exposure. Being exposed to viruses and germs doesn’t necessarily cause us to get sick. It’s how our body reacts to that exposure that causes illness in Beaver Dam and Watertown. If your body has a strong “firewall” in its immune system, it is much more likely to remain healthy than an immune system that is compromised. What causes an immune system to be compromised? Poor diet, smoking, drinking alcohol, too much or not enough physical exercise, stress, and lack of fun and relaxation have a negative impact on our immune system. Also fighting ongoing illness, lack of sleep, and even poor mental health/attitude can cause your immune system to weaken.

While you can’t control all of those things, you can control some and I recommend starting there. Change what you can and then focus on building up the resistance of your immune system to help you stay as healthy as possible. In this article, we will explore key strategies to keep our immune system healthy, empowering us to lead a vibrant and resilient life.

What is the purpose of the immune system? A strong and healthy immune system protects you from invading pathogens such as viruses and bacteria that you have been exposed to, sometimes without you even knowing. When you are exposed to germs and viruses (and remember we all are every day) and don’t feel symptoms of illness, your immune system is probably working well. When you start to feel sick, your immune system is working to fight off that illness. If those symptoms set in (in intensity or duration), your immune system is struggling. If your immune system has been challenged through sickness or repeated illnesses, it is time to start consciously working to build your immune system, and here are some great places to start.

A Healthy Gut is extremely important to keeping your immune system healthy. 80% of the work of the immune system happens in your gut. If you are having gut issues, check out my article on the digestive system from last month’s magazine. This article, along with my previous Inspire articles can be found on our website.

Getting Adequate Sleep also helps improve the immune system. Losing one hour of your regular sleep can result in a 70% decrease in the strength of your immune system. That’s significant when the majority of people are running on less than 5 hours of sleep per night.

Take Your Supplements. And I’m not talking about the gummy vitamins that taste like candy. For my patients that are trying to build immunity, I recommend supplements that include echinacea, vitamin C, and quercetin from a quality source remembering that all vitamins are not created equal. These are not only the top supplements to take in order to maintain a healthy immune system, but they are also recommended when you are sick due to their antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties. Zinc is another supplement that people take when sick. Research currently does not support taking zinc in order to prevent getting sick, but it does support decreasing the length of an illness when taken right away at the first signs of getting sick.

And if you do get sick, Let That Fever Burn! A fever can make you feel pretty miserable, but it is the body's way to destroy the germs that are making you sick. You still need to be cautious about how high a fever gets. Don’t allow a fever to get higher than 103 degrees. A fever this high can start affecting major organs like the heart or brain. Taking a cool bath or shower or using cool washcloths on the forehead and neck can help maintain a healthy fever level. Using medication to break a fever actually increases the amount of time it takes to recover from being sick. Taking magnesium or turmeric supplements can help with the joint and muscle pain associated with having a fever.

The immune system is a remarkable defense mechanism that protects us from countless threats. Its intricate network of cells and organs works tirelessly to maintain our health and well-being. By understanding the components and functions of the immune system, we can make informed decisions to support its optimal function and live healthier lives. With ongoing research and advancements in immunology, we continue to unlock the mysteries of this incredible system, paving the way for improved treatments and a healthier future.

In our Wellness Class, we will cover the immune system including how the immune system works and more ways to build your immune defense. As always, I will be available to answer questions so bring your questions and get ready to learn! Please join us at our Beaver Dam location for this FREE class on Tuesday, August 15th at 5:30pm.

Yours in Health,
- Dr. Stephanie Tyjeski

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Dr. Stephanie graduated in December 2016 with her Doctorate in Chiropractic at Logan University. She continued on at Logan University to receive her Masters in Nutrition and Human Performance. She is also certified as a Digestive Health Professional through the Loomis Enzyme Institute. She currently works at Tyjeski Family Chiropractic and Wellness Center and recently received the Five Under Forty Award.