Combatting Colds and Immune System Boot Camp

I was sick with colds and flu ALL the time as a kid. I practically lived on antibiotics, which we now know don't help fight off those viral beasties. It is a wonder my teeth haven't fallen out by now (thank heaven for Crest White Strips or my teeth would be ashen gray from the antibiotics)!

For the past 20 years of practicing chiropractic, it is very rare (knock on wood) that I come down with a cold or flu. That is pretty miraculous since I work very closely with people, many of whom are sick. I have a multi-pronged and very do-able approach to keep my immune system tuned up. I am prone to laziness and procrastination, so it has to be easy and enjoyable for me to stick with anything.

Here it is.

Regular Chiropractic adjustments. They have been shown, when done with regularity over the years, to boost immune system functioning as much as 400%!

Regular sleep. I get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep. All the time. And yes, I get up at 5 am weekdays. And no, I don't have babies. Sorry, new moms.

Daily vitamin supplements IN ADDITION to an organic produce based diet. See my vitamin regime below. I take a lot of them and have for years. Did I mention I rarely get sick?

Regular frequent exercise. I exercise 45-90 minutes 5-6 days per week and get a mix of cardio and weight training. I exercise outdoors (hiking and walking) 2-3 times per week for at least an hour a session. I have been doing this for 30 years. I was THE most unathletic couch potato child and teen. Somehow, that all changed when I turned 22 and was tired of being frequently sick, chronically depressed, and OVERWEIGHT! Yep, at 51 I am lighter, leaner, healthier and happier than when I was 21.

I am not extreme in my diet, sleep or exercise regimes, nor am I an obsessive hand washing germ-o-phobe. What I am is very very regular about my moderate healthy habits. Over 30 years, it has really paid off!

Dr. Lisa's Immune Tuning Supplement regimen:

Multi vitamin with extra anti-oxidants (Maxxum 4 by Karuna)

2000 mg Essential Fatty Acids (Omegaplex by Karuna)

800 IU Vitamin D

100 mg coQ10

1200 mg Calcium

600 mg Magnesium

Mushroom Extract capsules (MaitakeReikiShitake)

Vitamin C 1500 mg

800 mcg Folic Acid (in addition to the 400mcg in my multi)

Addtional immune boosters for the cold and flu season:

Tincture of Astragalus

Tincture of Ashwaganda

Next: What I take when I DO get sick!

As usual, ask away!