Gut Health & Your Immune System

This is the time of year when I hear people talking about being sick, or just getting over something and refer to it as “just that time of year!” And people agree, yes, it is! As a Holistic Health Practitioner, I am amazed that many people have come to believe there is a “time of year” that one can expect to get sick. We have been taught there is a “flu season,” and “summer colds.” But does it have to be that way?

I work with my clients to improve gut health, the foundation of our immune system. When we have a healthy gut, we have the right kind of bacteria to ward of infections that come our way. If you have a diet full of processed foods and sugar, your friendly to unfriendly bacteria ratio is not in your favor. Did you know 1 teaspoon of sugar will depress your immune system for 1 hour? If you eat any processed food, there is probably a teaspoon in every serving. So, if you eat processed (sugar) food at every meal, even a small amount, you are suppressing your immune system continuously.

Also, our immune system is most active when our cortisol levels are lowest- when we are asleep. If you go to bed late, or have poor quality sleep, you are not accessing your body’s natural rest and repair cycle. And stress elevates cortisol further depressing our immune system.

What can you do? Eat high quality foods that are right for your type. Eliminate processed foods and save the sugar for a special treat occasionally instead of at every meal. If you have trouble sleeping, try doing some breathwork to calm the body and mind, try a little meditation before bed to still the mind and prepare the body for sleep. Go outside and get some fresh air and sunshine in the early morning to access the sun early, during its hormone regulating, rays. 

These are just a few things I use in my practice with clients. If you would like to learn more about the foods that are right for your type, how to reduce stress and get good sleep, or how to align yourself with what’s important to you so you can use your time efficiently and have some time for rest and play.