What we do every day to stay well can really impact the strength of our immune system. You can’t stop every infection from invading your body, but you can do a lot to support your immunity to be its best. Right now we’re hearing a lot about the coronavirus. This is actually a family of viruses ranging from the common cold to SARS to the current novel coronavirus strain (nCoV) that has not been previously seen in humans. Yes, this is a scary thing and we still don’t know the full scope of nCoV, but the important thing is to focus on what we CAN do to encourage our bodies’ natural immune processes to function optimally. 

Here at UWC, we like to empower our patients to make daily lifestyle choices to support lifelong wellness. Here are my top five tips for building a better immune system and keeping viruses and bacteria at bay this winter. 

1. Move. You might not feel up to going outside for a walk in bad weather, but movement is proven to help your immune system. Regular, moderate exercise has been shown to improve the activity of natural killer cells, which are central to your immune system function. These cells are always present, ready to attack invading infections or gobble up abnormal cells in your body, and you can influence how well they work. Aim for 40 to 60 minutes of exercise daily. Remember, however, that excessive exercise, such as training for a marathon or competing in an intense sporting event, actually puts stress on your immune system, reducing its efficiency. Elite athletes must take extra care in supporting their immune system.
2. Eat a whole-foods diet rich in zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C. and vitamin D. Malnutrition is the number-one cause of immune deficiency worldwide. You might think that malnutrition is a problem only in underdeveloped countries, but actually there are significant levels of malnutrition in the United States as well. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is high in calories, but often deficient in important vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that are necessary for good health and a strong immune system. For my patients who frequently get infections or have a hard time getting rid of an infection, I first make sure that they are getting certain nutrients. Zinc is an important mineral for immune system functioning; good sources are animal protein, like oysters and meat, as well as some vegetable proteins, such as beans. Vitamin A is also critical for proper immune function and is found in liver, fish, cod liver oil, chicken, eggs, and dairy. Beta-carotene (found in yellow and orange vegetables) can turn into vitamin A in your body (but not everyone makes this conversion easily). Vitamin C is another important nutrient for immune function. Eating four or five cups of fruits and vegetables every day will give you plenty of vitamin C.  It’s also essential to optimize your vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is often missed and has been linked to many cancers, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, depression, fibromyalgia, chronic muscle pain, bone loss, and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. Having enough vitamin D is absolutely necessary for a strong immune system. I look for optimal levels between 50 to 85 ng/dl; in my experience as well as that of my colleagues at The UltraWellness Center we’ve found this is the most effective range for our patients. After testing you can identify the right amount of supplementation for your unique needs, but many of us aren’t getting enough through the sun or our diets.
3. Protect your microbiota. Every day, we are discovering more and more about our amazing microbiota. Your microbiota creates a wall of defense that prevents infections from entering your body. When these bacteria are disrupted, our risk of getting an infection skyrockets. Probiotics have been shown to strengthen the immune system; decrease the risk of intestinal infections, asthma, and eczema; and shorten the length of the common cold. So, how can we protect the trillions of good bacteria that line the surfaces of our body? First, eat a high-fiber, whole-foods diet. Fiber-rich foods (beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds) feed these good bacteria. Second, avoid unnecessary antibiotic use. Antibiotics kill off the good bacteria along with the infections they’re treating. Don’t use antibiotics for viral infections; they are ineffective and will do more harm than good. 
4. Get your eight hours. How often has this happened to you: You cut your sleep short for a few nights in a row, only to find yourself sick with a head cold. Sleep is critical for your immune system. For most of us, the goal is seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Keep your bedroom dark and cool; turn off your devices (computer, cellphones, and TV) and dim the lights an hour or two before bed, to let your body know that it’s time to get ready for sleep. This will help you get the deep, restorative sleep that is so nourishing for your immune system. 
5. Give your body time to rest. This is not the same thing as getting enough sleep. Resting includes taking a break from work, giving yourself time to go outside and enjoy nature, taking a yoga class, meditating, going out with friends, or enjoying a funny show.  Unfortunately, with technology, many of us are finding that we can work all of the time—resist that urge! Build rest into your schedule to help you fight infections and keep you healthy all year long.

Bonus tip! In these dark months, supplementation with probiotics and other key nutrients may likely be necessary to keep your immune system strong. Here’s a supplement protocol system recommended by Dr. Hyman to cover all of the bases when it comes to boosting your immunity. Other nutraceuticals, like elderberry, have been found beneficial for fighting the common cold and flu, which may be partially due to its high anthocyanin content. Due to its track record and safety it may be a helpful tool for staving off other viruses as well.

There’s so much we can do to encourage a robust immune system and have a better chance against any exposures we may come across. These simple steps will help you stay protected. 

If you want to learn more hacks for better immunity, check out my upcoming event with fellow UWC practitioner Sudha Carolyn Lundeen, Building a Better Immune System. It’s April 17th through the 19th at the beautiful 1440 Multiversity campus in northern California. Tuition includes three delicious organic meals, shared or private accommodations, and unique wellness offerings throughout the weekend. Join us and learn valuable tools for lifelong health.