Uncovering the Truth About the Immune System
By Randi Morse
During the winter months, colds and flu viruses are much more prevalent. There is nothing more annoying than feeling absolutely wretched and being unable to do anything to feel better, so we try to boost our immune system so that we can avoid being sick. There are a number of myths and untruths about the immune system, let's get some of the facts straight.
Does eating more fruits and veggies help boost your immune system? - It turns out your mom and dad telling you to eat your fruits and vegetables was for your own good. Studies have shown that people who eat more fruits and vegetables get sick less often. There are a lot of nutrients you'll find in fruits and veggies that help boost your body's immune system.
Does lack of sleep make your immune system worse? - We've always been told we need to get enough sleep to avoid getting a cold, but this is a myth. It's not the amount of sleep that's important, it's the type of sleep that you're getting. The body needs restorative sleep in order to see any boost in the immune system. This means getting deep REM sleep.
If I take supplements I'll beat back a cold faster, right? - Actually, that's completely untrue! While it's not a bad idea to take a multivitamin, taking tons of vitamins when you're sick will not help your immune system to beat back the cold that you're dealing with.
I was told if I had a positive attitude I'd be healthier, but can that be true? - Believe it or not, a positive attitude is a great way to help stay healthier. There was a study completed once that followed law students and their immune system. The happier they were, the healthier and better their immune systems were. The more worried and stressed they got, the worse their immune systems were. Being happier actually can help you to stay healthier.
Does sucking on your baby's pacifier make baby less likely to have allergies? - It can be cringe worthy for some people to see a parent pick up a pacifier and suck on it themselves before giving it to their baby. They're usually doing it so that they can clean off the pacifier, but it turns out there are some benefits to doing this. A recent study showed that the parents saliva may kick-start the baby's immune system, helping them to avoid having allergies.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in El Cajon, Calif.