Immune System Detox Boosters You’ll Want to Try Today

A 2016 survey in the US found that 3% of Americans have either a weakened, suppressed, or compromised immune system. Some researchers even believe that the numbers are rising, thanks in large part to medical advances that allow immuno-compromised individuals to live longer. That percentage may not sound like a lot—but when you consider that you or your loved ones could fall into that category, the stakes become higher. Are you considering ways to give your immune system a boost? If so, you’ve come to the right place.

Here, we list a handful of activities that help boost your immunity. Keep reading!

1. Physical Activity

You might be wondering, Does physical activity boost the immune system? It does, and in fact, it may be one of the most natural ways to boost your immunity!

In short, regular exercise can:

• Improve your mental health (not exactly immunity-related, but a great bonus)
• Lower your risk of illness
• Increase the circulation of immune cells
• Improve your immune response
• Reduce harmful inflammation

Experts recommend an aerobic activity that lasts less than an hour, done regularly throughout the week (without overdoing it). This includes everything from walking to running, attending a spin class, or using the elliptical.

2. Quitting Bad Habits

This may not seem like an “activity,” but you can make it one! Record your highs and lows, progress and setbacks in a journal or with friends to make it more fun—and to hold yourself accountable.

Some habits to consider kicking include:

• Smoking cigarettes
• Excessive use of alcohol
• Lack of sleep (more on that later)
• A poor diet

3. Getting Adequate Sleep

Resting is an activity—and let’s admit, it’s a fulfilling one!

Not getting adequate sleep is detrimental to your immune system. On the flip side, getting good sleep fosters it.

When you sleep, your body creates cytokines, which are proteins that target infection and inflammation. The fewer sleep you get, the fewer cytokines your body produces. Not only does rest produce these proteins, but it releases them, too.

Sound sleep: it’s a win-win!

4. Visiting the Sauna

The health benefits of sauna-going are enticing!

The heat from saunas can reduce inflammation, improve your immune response, and reduce harmful physical stress, which takes its own toll on the body’s immune response.

If you’re looking for ways to improve your immune function, use your local sauna for about 15 to 20 minutes tops (to avoid dehydration).

5. Checking in With Your Chiropractor

The best chiropractor will support you in your entirety—beyond the mechanics of your spine. In addition to this, chiropractors emphasize your body healing itself without the use of prescription drugs and/or surgery.

The relationship between your body’s structure and its function is undeniable, and it’s something that’s significantly studied in the chiropractic world. The bond between these two things promotes the preservation and restoration of health, as well as the body’s natural recuperative power.

So, it might be time to visit your local chiropractor and see what they have to say about your nervous system, general physical health, and stress and anxiety levels.

Don’t Wait to Boost Your Immune System

If you’ve noticed one thing about these activities, it’s probably that they’re actionable on a daily basis. Additionally, they’re relatively simple to incorporate into your day-to-day.

Your immune system greatly depends on your efforts—your good habits, your sleeping patterns, your exercise levels, and more. If you can practice these activities regularly, you’ll be glad you did.

At Amazing Life Chiropractic & Wellness, we strive to make you feel better, and we’re not just talking about your spinal health! We take a well-rounded approach that observes everything from your physical activity to your body’s general well-being.

If you’re a new patient, click here to request an appointment with our talented team. We look forward to hearing from you.

How to Increase Your Immune System: 3 Tips to Improve Your Immunity Naturally

Certain studies report that early 3% of American adults have a weakened immune system. Those with some of the weakest immune systems include women, those in their 50s, and white people. However, anyone can have a weak immune system, regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, and other factors.

Are you one of those with a less-than-healthy immune system?

If so, you’ve likely landed here for a reason—you’re looking for a way to change that. You’re wondering how to increase your immune system naturally, whether through supplements, chiropractic treatment, exercise, and the like.

In this guide, we have the answers you seek. Whether it’s how to increase your immune system with food or fluids, or something else entirely, we take a well-rounded approach. Keep reading for more.

Simple (But Significant) Tips on How to Improve Your Immune System

Strengthening your immune response doesn’t have to be complicated. You can practice these guidelines without the need for fancy regimens, costly appointments at the doctor, or fads. 

Without further ado, here are data-backed ways to get healthier.

1. Drink Your Water

Does staying hydrated help your immune system?

In fact, it does!

Our immune system depends on our bloodstream, which is full of nutrients. Our bloodstream depends on water, which it’s mostly made of—therefore, a hydrated bloodstream equals a healthier one. Without hydration, those nutrients don’t have the transportation necessary to make it to our organs.

Hydration also contributes to several other bodily functions, such as the detoxification of pathways in the body and clearing out waste and foreign invaders. 

2. Visit Your Chiropractor 

According to data, a chiropractic visit may be just the thing to boost your health.

When people think of a chiropractor, they think of spinal care, and that’d be accurate—but that’s not all a chiropractor does.

Many people visit their chiropractor when they have pain in the lower, mid-, or upper back. It helps to understand our nervous systems, too, which are directly affected by our spinal health. Since we operate in fight-or-flight (sympathetic nervous system) or rest-and-digest (parasympathetic), being able to relax, pain-free, is an excellent way to foster our well-being.

Chiropractors also tend to observe other aspects of the body, such as tightness or tension, as well as common ailments, like headaches or even plantar fasciitis.

3. Focus on Nutrition

Nutrition and diet obviously play a massive role in our immune systems. The more nutritious, well-rounded, and vitamin-rich your diet, the better your immune system can function.

Doctors recommend a balanced portion of the following items, among others:

• Berries (vitamin C!)
• Mushrooms
• Oysters, which have a healthy amount of zinc
• Yogurts, like Greek yogurt, which is high in probiotics
• Cruciferous greens like spinach or kale

It’s crucial to limit your usage of alcohol, as well as intake of processed sugar, fried foods, bad fats, and more.

If possible, try to get most of these vitamins from food. However, you may need to take supplements depending on lifestyle and other factors. Supplements are an excellent natural way to boost your immunity—but it’s important to take the appropriate amounts.

Make Wellness a Priority

When it comes to how to increase your immune system, there are many things you can do independently—make movement a priority, as well as diet and sleep, and other positive habits—stuff in your control.

Some things, however, are better left to an expert; that includes visiting a chiropractor.

Book an appointment with us and get so much more than an improved range of motion. Learn how to build a healthier immune system, too. We look forward to hearing f

Understanding Nutrition: A Guide on How to Read Food Labels

In the U.S., 67% of the food we eat comes from a trip to the grocery store. Shopping at a supermarket rather than ordering takeout gives us control over the food we eat and helps us make healthier choices.  Eating a healthy diet can help you control your weight, improve your brain health, lower your risk for disease, and help you live a longer life.  The trouble is, flashy product packaging makes it tough to see which products are healthy. Luckily, understanding nutrition labels can help. Read on to learn how to read nutrition facts labels and how they can help you make better food choices.  

Read the Ingredient List

Manufacturers list ingredients by weight, from the highest amount to the least. In other words, the first ingredient makes up most of the product, while the last makes up the least amount. 

Look for wholesome ingredients like whole wheat. Avoid ingredients like artificial flavorings, hydrogenated oils, and added sugars. 

You should also aim for short ingredient lists. The fewer ingredients there are, the less processed the food is. Whole foods are an important part of nutrition and wellness.

Look for the Serving Size and Calories

The serving size is at the top of the nutrition facts, along with the servings per container. This information helps you compare similar products and tells you how many calories you can expect from one serving.

It’s not necessarily the amount you should eat or drink, it’s the amount of food that the nutrition information is measuring. For example, if you eat half a serving you’d halve the calories and nutrients, and for two servings you’d double it. 

Check Out the Percent Daily Value

The Percent Daily Value tells you how many nutrients and calories are in a serving compared to a standard 2,000 calorie diet. It takes the total recommended daily value of a nutrient (like vitamin C or sodium) and tells you how much the product fulfills. 

For example, the federal guidelines say Americans should consume 2,300 mg of sodium or less per day. If a serving of chips had 300 mg of sodium, that is 13% of the daily value. To make a healthier choice, pick a snack with a lower percent daily value. 

Notice the Nutrients 

Nutrition Facts separates nutrients into two categories: the ones you need more of and the ones to consume in moderation. 

You should watch how much sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat you eat. Too much can lead to heart disease, weight gain, and high blood pressure. 

Try to hit the recommended daily amount of calcium, dietary fiber, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. These are all important nutrients that can keep you regular, strengthen bones, prevent high blood pressure, and protect your immune system. 

A Healthy Lifestyle Starts with Understanding Nutrition

Understanding nutrition labels is a step towards making better food choices. The next time you’re at the grocery store, don’t forget to read the nutrition labeling before you buy. 

If you want to start living a healthier life but don’t know where to start, Amazing Life Chiropractic and Wellness can help. We offer nutrition plans in addition to our chiropractic care that will help you thrive.  

Contact us today to learn more or make an appointment.

Contact us to see how we can help!