Get every 'bug' that goes around?

Why is it that some people seem to get sick constantly and others don't? What makes us prone to get sick? We do. In order to stop doing those things that set the stage for illness to occur in our bodies, it's important to understand the factors that impact our immune system.

On the top of the list is stress. Stress is interpreted by the body as a fight or flight response. The body inhibits everything not needed to either fight or flee: digestion, immune function and many others. When you are stressed your immune system is down.

Sugar is also a problem. By several mechanisms in the body, sugar suppresses immunity. First, it raises the insulin level. This inhibits the release of growth hormones from the pituitary gland - a hormone that regulates the immune system. Sugar also competes with vitamin C in the cells. Vitamin C is needed to phagocytize (or gobble up) bacteria and viruses. With a high level of sugar in the body, Vitamin C function is inhibited. According to Linda Allred, only 6 teaspoons of sugar decreases immune function by 25 percent, 10 tsp by 50 percent and 24 tsp by 92 percent!

Trans fats/hydrogenated fats decrease immune function by decreasing natural killer cell activity and proliferation. They also tend to block the absorption of the good fats such as olive oil, fish oil and avocado oil which have all shown to be beneficial by modulating the function of the immune cells. Essential Fatty Acids also have antimicrobial properties, and enhance cell membrane integrity which improves immunity.

Other factors which suppress or inhibit immunity include: lack of sleep, lack of exercise, overtraining, lack of quality protein in the diet and deficiencies of vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and minerals must be in a food form - not a synthetic form. Fractionated or synthetic forms actually have to call on excess body resources to utilize, thus actually weakening the body.

Support your immune system with real foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables instead of depleted, pre-packaged foods. Foods high in essential fatty acids such as raw nuts and seeds, avocados and fish, meats that are raised and processed free of chemicals and added hormones, and lots and lots of fruits and vegetables!

Herbs which have strong immune modulating or supporting qualities such as Echinacea, Goldenseal, Cat's Claw and many of the mushrooms such as Maitake, Shitake and Reishi are great. I would recommend you choose four different immune herbs, and rotate them on a weekly basis to prevent the body from adapting to them.

Acupuncture is one of my favorite tools in strengthening the immune system. Acupuncture strengthens the immunes system by balancing the function of the endocrine system, strengthening organs responsible for immune health (such as thymus, spleen and bone marrow), and reducing the stress load on the body.

If you do nothing to help your immune system get and stay strong, and continue to do things that weaken your immune system, don't complain when you get sick.

Dr. Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with more than 30 years of experience. Dr. Carling is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d'Alene clinic. Visit Dr. Carling's website at www.vitalhealthandfitness.com to learn more about Dr. Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Dr. Carling can be reached at (208) 765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.