HEALTH IS OUR REAL WEALTH
As Fall and Winter approach in the Northern Hemisphere, many people think about boosting their immune health to fend off the variety of viruses and illnesses that seem to increase this time of year. Thus it was timely that I read the chapter on Defense in “The Disease Delusion” by Dr. Jeffrey S. Bland in which he discusses the body’s defense system.
“Our physiological defense process is in constant communication with how we live, what we eat, and our environment. These factors are continually talking to our immune system, which continually determines whether it is hearing from a friend or foe, and which then talks back based on that determination. What we used to think of as immune-related or autoimmune diseases are really functional disorders arising from an altered immune response. And again, what dictates the response is the unique genetic makeup of the individual at its moment of exposure to very specific events or characteristics of the environment.”
More simply said, every body has a unique genetic makeup that is uniquely affected by environmental factors, and it is the combination of all these that determines how the body will respond.
Several years ago I suffered severely from spring time allergies. I would get so sneezy and congested I could barely function; all I could do was take meds and go to bed to sleep it off. I learned that my body was genetically predisposed for severe seasonal allergies, and that by improving my immune health, I could reduce the severety of the allergy attacks. This meant getting more sleep, limiting exposure to allergens, reducing stress, reducing alcohol, eating properly and understanding my hormonal cycle. Think of your immune system as a cup. You can put a few trigger items into the cup and you’re fine. You put in a few more and you’re still okay. You put in a few more and a few more and your cup begins to overflow. You are having a negative reaction to the overload of environmental factors. Our bodies can usually tolerate a few trigger items but when our immune health is not at its best, or bodies are more easily overloaded and illness follows.
We can’t change the inherent susceptibilities in our DNA, however we have tremendous control over the environmental factors including:
Sleep
Diet & nutrition
Exposure to toxins
Exposure to trigger items
Exercise & movement
Stress
When we learn what our bodies like and dislike, what triggers positive and negative reactions, and when we take control of our choices, we can improve our overall health and thus our immune defense systems. At this time of year when viruses seem to be lurking everywhere, it becomes even more important to support our immune health. Boosting Zinc, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, etc. is excellent (Daily Wellness is my go to for year round immune support), but it becomes essential to also bolster our defenses by reducing stress and exposure to toxins and triggers and getting enough rest, proper nutrition and exercise. Cheers to your health this season!
“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of silver and gold.”
AFFIRMATION
I have the power to make good choices for my health.