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Tips for Boosting Immunity Naturally

by Dr. Ryan Bentley

Did You Know?

The average American eats 158 pounds of sugar per year. If you do the math, that is approximately a 3 pound bag of sugar per week.

Sugar suppresses the immune system. Studies have shown that eating or drinking 100 grams of sugar (McDonalds Snack Size Fruit & Walnut Salad with dressing and a Large Coca-Cola equal 121 grams) can reduce the ability of white blood cells to kill germs by 60 percent! The immune-suppressing effect of sugar starts less than thirty minutes after ingestion and may last for six hours.

I find it interesting that cold and flu season starts around October and goes thru the first of the year. I cannot think of any other time in the year that people eat more sugar than during the holiday season. Let's think about it. Halloween is the kickoff, then less than a month later it is Thanksgiving, then Christmas and New Years. Millions of people increase their sugar intake signicantly during this time of the year.

Food for Thought

Do you know what you are ordering for your kids at the drive thru? A happy meal from McDonalds with a Cheeseburger, Apple Dippers with Low Fat Caramel Dip and 1% Low Fat Chocolate Milk Jug (8 fl oz) contains 46 grams of sugar. That is the equivalent of an entire packet of Skittles (47 grams).

Facts About Cold and Flu

  • Despite years of research, modern medicine still has not found a "cure for the common cold," the most prevalent infectious disease.

  • Adults catch an average of two to four colds each year.

  • Children catch six to eight colds annually; those in day care may get as many as 12.

  • There is a total of 66 million cold cases each year in the U.S.

  • Colds account for 40% of all employee sick leave and 30% of school absenteeism.

  • More than $1 billion is spent on over-the-counter cold remedies per year in the U.S.

  • Influenza is associated with about 20,000 deaths each year in the U.S. and many more hospitalizations.

  • Because the common cold and flu are caused by viral infections, antibiotics have no effect unless you are treating a secondary bacterial infection.

  • Prescribing antibiotics creates antibiotic-resistant organisms, which are now a serious worldwide problem.

Important Tips You can strengthen immune defenses and help win the seasonal battle in 4 easy steps:

  1. Avoid refined sugar. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
  2. Have a chiropractic adjustment. Studies have shown that adjustments increase the immune response.
  3. Exercise. Exercise increases the immune response as well.
  4. Supplement your diet with high-quality nutriceuticals targeted to immune function. I reccommend a combination formula called, ImmuCore, from Metagenics, which contains therapeutic amounts of immune-boosting mushrooms, vitamin C and other micronutrients, and two unique compounds shown to fight infections and boost immunity: the herb Rosemary, and a hops extract known as RIAA. You can ask a Wellness Prescription practitioner in your area for ImmuCore and other tips for immune function.