Be Well
When it comes to strengthening the immune system, people would do
better to think in terms of overall quality of life rather than
specific steps to take. According to some physicians, improving one’s
ability to fight off colds can have as much to do with being kind as it
does with eating good foods.
better to think in terms of overall quality of life rather than
specific steps to take. According to some physicians, improving one’s
ability to fight off colds can have as much to do with being kind as it
does with eating good foods.
The immune system is a complex network that protects the body from
relatively simple infections, such as influenza, and more serious
illnesses, such as cancer. It’s not something that “you can simply
build up at will,” says Michael Foggs, M.D., chief of allergy, asthma
and immunology for Chicago-based Advocate Health Centers.
relatively simple infections, such as influenza, and more serious
illnesses, such as cancer. It’s not something that “you can simply
build up at will,” says Michael Foggs, M.D., chief of allergy, asthma
and immunology for Chicago-based Advocate Health Centers.
At the most basic level, he concedes, improving the immune system
means eating properly, getting plenty of rest and avoiding toxins. “Not
processed food, but food loaded with antioxidants–fruits and organic
vegetables.”
means eating properly, getting plenty of rest and avoiding toxins. “Not
processed food, but food loaded with antioxidants–fruits and organic
vegetables.”
Non-restorative rest or inadequate sleep can lead to physiological
imbalances that affect your body’s ability to fight infection. Stress
weakens the system, causing hormonal imbalances.
imbalances that affect your body’s ability to fight infection. Stress
weakens the system, causing hormonal imbalances.
As for toxins, Dr. Foggs says that beyond known outdoor
pollutants, a host of synthetic materials found indoors can build up in
the body. Paint, carpet linings and bioaerosols often can be more
harmful, he says, than some outdoor pollutants. Not all indiv
iduals will have the same response to such elements. He says, however,
that those suffering regularly from red watery eyes, headaches, itching
and respiratory distress need to inspect their indoor environment
carefully.
pollutants, a host of synthetic materials found indoors can build up in
the body. Paint, carpet linings and bioaerosols often can be more
harmful, he says, than some outdoor pollutants. Not all indiv
iduals will have the same response to such elements. He says, however,
that those suffering regularly from red watery eyes, headaches, itching
and respiratory distress need to inspect their indoor environment
carefully.
Many people fight toxins with a homeopathic approach. Echinacea,
for example, has been said to decrease the prevalence and severity of
colds. Dr. Foggs, who says medical science disputes this claim,
cautions against believing that all homeopathic formulations or
treatments can do the trick “without official evidence to prove their
validity based on randomized controlled clinical trials.”
for example, has been said to decrease the prevalence and severity of
colds. Dr. Foggs, who says medical science disputes this claim,
cautions against believing that all homeopathic formulations or
treatments can do the trick “without official evidence to prove their
validity based on randomized controlled clinical trials.”
Still, there’s something to be said for living cleanly and well.
Robert Anderson, Ph.D., founder and executive director of the American
Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine based in Washington state,
encourages patients to lower their stress levels–a major factor in
compromised immune systems according to conventional and homeopathic
practitioners –through, among other things, exercise, meditation and
touch. Anderson also espouses thinking of others.
Robert Anderson, Ph.D., founder and executive director of the American
Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine based in Washington state,
encourages patients to lower their stress levels–a major factor in
compromised immune systems according to conventional and homeopathic
practitioners –through, among other things, exercise, meditation and
touch. Anderson also espouses thinking of others.
“Volunteers in a study at Harvard watched a 30-minute video
showing the work of Mother Teresa. Their salivary [immunoglobulin A
(IgA)] levels increased significantly after viewing the film,” Anderson
says. “Levels increased even in volunteers who had a negative feeling
about the film. It seems even viewing altruism improves our immune
defenses.” IgA is a chief antibody tha
t protects against infections.
showing the work of Mother Teresa. Their salivary [immunoglobulin A
(IgA)] levels increased significantly after viewing the film,” Anderson
says. “Levels increased even in volunteers who had a negative feeling
about the film. It seems even viewing altruism improves our immune
defenses.” IgA is a chief antibody tha
t protects against infections.
A common manifestation of immune system disease is asthma. Dr.
Foggs, who co-authored the most recent National Institutes of Health
“Expert 3 Panel: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of
Asthma,” says across ethnic groups, young boys present more of this
respiratory disease than girls. By puberty, however, girls’ rates are
higher. And it manifests in black women at higher rates than any other
ethnic minority.
Foggs, who co-authored the most recent National Institutes of Health
“Expert 3 Panel: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of
Asthma,” says across ethnic groups, young boys present more of this
respiratory disease than girls. By puberty, however, girls’ rates are
higher. And it manifests in black women at higher rates than any other
ethnic minority.
Acknowledging environmental and genetic factors in how your body
responds to attacks, Dr. Foggs and Anderson encourage people to simply
take care of themselves as the best defense. It’s the one method over
which you have the most control.
responds to attacks, Dr. Foggs and Anderson encourage people to simply
take care of themselves as the best defense. It’s the one method over
which you have the most control.
–Monette Austin Bailey
