Is Flu Season Real, Or Is Something Else Happening?
- AzureWell Videos
- Sep 13, 2024
- 5 min read
As the cooler months approach, maintaining immune health becomes more critical than ever. Fall and winter often bring seasonal changes that impact our bodies, from colder weather to holiday stress and dietary indulgences. But is “flu season” really about viruses, or could it be more about the state of our immune system?
In Episode 4 of The AzureWell Podcast with Susan Booth, Dr. Alphonzo Monzo, ND, a Biblical Naturopathic Doctor, shares his expertise on immune health, explaining how stress, lifestyle factors, and the environment affect the immune system’s ability to fight off infections. He also provides practical tips for naturally maintaining a strong immune system during this season.
Is "Flu Season" Really About Viruses?
Dr. Monzo sheds light on a common misconception: what we refer to as “flu season” might not actually be caused by an uptick in viral activity. Instead, it could be more about how our immune vitality drops during this time of year.
Several factors contribute to this:
Weather changes: Colder temperatures and shorter days add stress to the body, particularly in regions that experience drastic seasonal shifts.
Holiday indulgences: Many of us consume more processed foods, sugars, and unhealthy fats during the holidays, which can impair gut health and weaken the immune system.
Increased stress: The end-of-year rush, holiday gatherings, and emotional stressors can take a toll on both our mental and physical well-being, further suppressing the immune response.
All of these factors together create an environment where the immune system struggles to keep up, allowing viruses and bacteria to gain a foothold. Dr. Monzo encourages looking at this time of year as a period when stress levels and poor lifestyle habits, rather than germs, are the main culprits behind illness.
The Two Major Systems of the Immune System
The immune system is a sophisticated and dynamic network designed to protect the body from harmful invaders like viruses, bacteria, and toxins. According to Dr. Monzo, it can be divided into two primary systems: the Blood Immune System and the Lymphatic Immune System. Both systems work synergistically to maintain health and prevent illness, but each plays a unique role.
1. The Blood Immune System: The First Line of Defense
The Blood Immune System acts as the body’s immediate defense, neutralizing invaders that enter the bloodstream. Key components include:
White Blood Cells (WBCs): These immune cells, including B-cells, T-cells, neutrophils, and natural killer (NK) cells, fight off infections. WBCs are produced in the bone marrow and circulate in the blood, constantly monitoring for invaders.
Antibodies: Produced by B-cells, antibodies mark pathogens like viruses and bacteria for destruction. They also retain a memory of the invader for faster future responses.
Complement System: This system of proteins supports antibodies by helping mark pathogens for destruction and assisting immune cells.
The Blood Immune System acts as the body’s frontline defense, detecting threats in the bloodstream and responding quickly to neutralize them. After defeating an invader, it “remembers” the pathogen, allowing for quicker responses in the future.
2. The Lymphatic Immune System: The Body’s Detox System
The Lymphatic Immune System focuses on detoxification and long-term immune support.
Its key components include:
Lymphatic System: A network of lymph vessels and lymph nodes that filter toxins and transport immune cells.
Spleen: A vital organ that filters blood, removing old red blood cells and producing immune cells like lymphocytes and antibodies.
Thymus: This gland produces T-cells, which help destroy infected cells.
Tonsils, Appendix, and Adenoids: These organs play important roles in filtering toxins and detecting pathogens, particularly from the mouth and digestive tract.
The Lymphatic System is the body’s waste management system, collecting toxins and waste, filtering them through lymph nodes, and supporting overall immune function.
5 Key Ways to Support Your Immune System Naturally
Now that we understand how the immune system functions, it's time to explore natural strategies to help maintain immune vitality through lifestyle choices. Dr. Monzo recommends focusing on five key areas:
1. Exercise: Move Your Body, Boost Your Immune System
Engaging in regular aerobic exercise improves circulation, helping immune cells move more efficiently throughout the bloodstream and lymphatic system. This enhanced circulation ensures that your body can detect and eliminate harmful invaders more effectively.
Recommended activities include:
Brisk walking
Jogging
Swimming
Cycling
Mini trampoline workouts (rebounding)
Regular physical activity helps keep both the blood and lymphatic immune systems functioning optimally by enhancing circulation and promoting the elimination of toxins.
2. Prioritize Sleep: Rest to Rebuild
Adequate sleep is essential for a properly functioning immune system. During sleep, your body repairs itself, replenishes immune cells, and produces infection-fighting proteins like cytokines. Lack of sleep weakens your immune system’s ability to respond to infections.
Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night to allow your body to recover and regenerate fully.
3. Eat a Healthy Diet: Nutrient-Rich Foods for Immune Strength
Dr. Monzo stresses the importance of a nutrient-dense diet.
Focus on:
These foods support gut health and provide essential vitamins and minerals that help your immune system function optimally.
4. Manage Stress: Keep Calm to Support Your Immunity
Chronic stress releases cortisol, which weakens the immune system. Engage in stress-reducing activities like deep breathing to lower cortisol levels and support immune function.
5. Get Sunlight: Harness Nature’s Power for Immune Health
Sunlight promotes the production of vitamin D, which is essential for immune health. Dr. Monzo recommends getting 10-20 minutes of sunlight daily to activate vitamin D and enhance immune function.
Supplements: Enhancing Immune Vitality Naturally
While a healthy lifestyle is crucial, Dr. Monzo also emphasizes the role of supplements in maintaining immune health, especially when they are free from harmful additives. Many commercial supplements contain excipients like magnesium stearate, which can interfere with immune function. Dr. Monzo advises using whole food-based supplements, which provide nutrients in their most bioavailable form without unnecessary fillers.
Here are some key immune-supporting supplements Dr. Monzo recommends:
Garlic Immune: Contains allicin from garlic, which supports immune modulation and helps with the production of antibodies.
Recover Immune Vitality Complex: Supports both immune and intestinal health while activating both innate and adaptive immunity.
Olive Leaf Formula: Promotes immune health and cardiovascular health by harnessing the antimicrobial properties of olive leaf extract.
Strengthening Your Immune System for the Season Ahead
Maintaining immune vitality doesn’t have to be overwhelming. As Dr. Monzo emphasizes, small, consistent changes in your daily routine can have a big impact on your body’s ability to fight off infections and stay healthy.
By focusing on regular exercise, getting enough sleep, eating nutrient-rich foods, managing stress, and supplementing wisely, you can ensure your immune system is strong and ready to face the challenges of the colder months ahead.
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any diet, exercise, supplementation, or lifestyle changes, especially if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or are taking any medications. The opinions expressed by podcast guests/interviewees and AzureWell are their own and are based on their research and interpretation of available scientific information. The statements made in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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