How is Immunity affected during Colder Seasons?
In the U.S., fall and winter are usually known as the cold and flu seasons. But that doesn’t need to be the case if you are someone looking to boost their natural immunity and overall health. There are several respiratory diseases that are prevalent during this season, so making sure that your immune response is at its best is essential.
Why does sickness spike during these seasons?
The fall season means colder weather is approaching or already here. In cold temperatures, blood vessels start to constrict. When this happens, your respiratory tract gets fewer white blood cells that it needs to ward off respiratory infections.
Additionally, as it gets colder, we tend to spend less time outdoors, which can drop Vitamin D levels within the body. Vitamin D helps your body’s immune system function properly and aids against the risk of complications from an infection.
Since we are stuck inside, we also tend to get less physical activity. Exercising or, just moving about, helps boost your overall circulation. This makes it easier for immune cells and other infection-fighting molecules to move about the body.
Res-Q Supplements for Immune Support
Res-Q Cor-Immune Defense contains clinically tested ingredients that work synergistically to support optimal immune health. It supports year-round respiratory and sinus health. It helps to maintain nasal comfort and clear airways. Plus, it supports digestive health, which benefits the immune system. It also contains seven immune support vitamins in A, C, D, Zinc, Calcium, Selenium, and Copper. These are all widely known to help lift immunity.
Res-Q ProBiotic helps produce good bacteria, which are critical to your health. About 70-80 percent of your immune system is located in your gastrointestinal tract, where probiotics play a role in helping to fight off infection and disease. Keeping up a normal immune response is important to prevent chronic inflammation, a factor in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Res-Q Vital D3 provides the body with the natural form of Vitamin D. As we’ve spoken of, Vitamin D is important for ‘the innate and adaptive immune responses. Deficiency in vitamin D is associated with increased autoimmunity, as well as an increased susceptibility to infection.’ Vitamin D is also essential for strong bones and teeth. Plus, it promotes total body wellness. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in about 70 percent of Americans.
Do you want to know what else is essential for your immune system?
Omega-3 fatty acids!
Omega 3s, like Res-Q 1250, play an important role in the immune system. ‘They strengthen the cell walls, help macrophages engulf pathogens and aid in eliciting a strong immune response, in the presence of a virus, pathogen or bacterial invasion.’
Let’s break it down a little. When omega-3s are consumed via diet or supplementation, they are incorporated into the cellular membranes, including immune cells, which enhances the cell’s function. A study published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology showed that the EPA and DHA within omega-3 fish oils enhance B cell function. B cells help to fight pathogens and ward off disease. Omega-3s can also help produce chemokines. These attract immune cells to an infected area of the body.
Lifestyle Choices to Boost Immunity
1. Drink a lot of water
This is important to prime the body’s lymph system. This system carries white blood cells and other cells that search for ‘foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.’ If you don’t drink enough white, this reduces the lymph system’s ability to do its job.
2. Get Good Sleep
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, loss of sleep can negatively affect the immune system in a few different ways. It reduces the body’s production of NK cells, which then increases the risk of viral infections. It can generate inflammatory cytokines, which creates more of a risk for metabolic disorders. Last, it reduces the production of antibodies, which help fight viruses and other infections. If you have a hard time sleeping, try Res-Q PM Liquid or Dissolvable.
3. Exercise
As mentioned prior, exercise helps in a few different ways. It helps you lose weight, builds stamina, and is also known to lower the production of stress hormones, like cortisol, within the body. These stress hormones can actually suppress the immune system, so exercising also helps your immune system as well!
Citations
Team, T. B. E. (2020). How omega-3s support your body's immune response. Biotics Research Blog. Retrieved October 24, 2022. Health, U. C. I. (2021, October 26). 7 ways to boost your immunity this fall. UCI Health Blog. Retrieved October 25, 2022, from https://www.ucihealth.org/blog/2021/10/7-ways-to-boost-your-immunity Aranow, C. (2011, August). Vitamin D and the immune system. Journal of investigative medicine : the official publication of the American Federation for Clinical Research. Retrieved October 25, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166406/
