More Articles -- Some Good Nutrition for the Immune System

Some Background

An important regulator of the human Immune System is the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) which developed in humans thousands of years ago in ‘caveman’ times when the world was a very different place. In times of stress (e.g. tiger jumps out of the bushes) the body, as a survival instinct, quickly does what it needs to do to increase the chances of survival. It moves blood away from some vital organs, including digestive organs and immune organs, and shunts it to the heart, arms and legs (fight or flight). This served our species well in days gone by. The problem is that nowadays many of us are stressed all the time and these stress reactions have become chronic. We are literally living our lives with down-regulated digestive systems and down-regulated immune systems! It’s easy to see how susceptible many of us are to disease.

These studies (detailed in-depth at the end) show that receiving chiropractic care is one of the most effective methods of boosting the immune response:

1. The nervous system has a direct effect on the immune system due to the nerve supply to the important immune system organs. A sympathetic response (with stress) will down-regulate the immune system making the body more susceptible to disease. *1

2. Chiropractic care has a positive effect on the immune system and general health compared to those in the general population and those with cancer and other serious diseases. Study *2 shows that individuals that had been under chiropractic care for five years or more were found to have a 200% greater immune competence than people who had not had chiropractic care; and 400% greater immune competence than people with cancer and other serious diseases.

3. The immune response does improve following a chiropractic adjustment. Specifically, this study demonstrated that cells that act like ‘Pac-Man’ eating and destroying bad cells are enhanced through chiropractic care. *3

4. Over a six-month period, researches found that a group of HIV positive patients that started chiropractic care had an increase of 48% in CD4 cells (an important immune system component). The control group (no chiropractic care) showed a 7.96% decrease in CD4 cell counts over the same period. *4

5. The immune system can be affected by the nervous system through the connections with the endocrine and the autonomic nervous system *5

Coronavirus and Chiropractic: Nutrition for Avoiding, Recovering

Eating poorly can make you ill, and eating poorly while ill can drag an illness into extra days or longer. Read on for more about coronavirus and chiropractic care, and eating right to strengthen immunity.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is rapidly spreading across the U.S. and the world, and Americans are being advised by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to remain vigilant and take precautions such as regular hand washing and hand sanitizing, avoiding unnecessary contact and gatherings, and for personal protection, maintaining a healthy diet and strong immune system.

Chiropractic care focuses on the central nervous system that regulates virtually every bodily function, including the immune system. The nervous system must communicate with the rest of the body, which is where coronavirus and chiropractic care cross paths as chiropractic comes in to remove nerve blockages via spinal misalignment.

Coronavirus and Chiropractic

Many chiropractors also specialize in nutrition, and while you may not be able to avoid contracting the coronavirus, the flu or a cold, you can control your own immune system and strengthening it against illness.

“Sounds like the perfect opportunity to have a heart-to-heart with patients about their immune and nervous systems,” says Bill Esteb, DC. “Remember, if germs automatically caused disease, the human race wouldn’t be around to debate the issue. Many forget that Louis Pasteur, the father of the germ theory, recanted his belief. On his deathbed he observed, ‘It’s the soil, not the seed.’ In other words, without the right environment, germs can do little harm.”

Eating for Immunity

Ryan Andrews, RD and principal nutritionist for Precision Nutrition, offers advice for what to eat to maximize your immune system, and what to eat and nutritional supplements if you contract the coronavirus or a flu.

Eating poorly can make you ill, and eating poorly while ill can extend your illness.

“If your diet is lousy, you’ll get sick more often than someone who eats a healthier diet,” Andrews says. “Viruses and bacterial infections will hit you harder and keep you out for longer. Meanwhile, eating poorly while you are sick will only make you sicker. Good nutrition allows our bodies to respond to germy invaders quickly and efficiently, and in order to function well, the cells of our immune system need plenty of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids.”

A healthy gut is essential to immunity, and prebiotics and probiotics in food and supplements help prevent illness.

“The best whole food sources of prebiotics are vegetables like asparagus, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, leeks, and onions,” Andrews says...

“Probiotics — the bacteria themselves — have been shown to help us recover faster, once we get sick. The best whole-food sources of probiotics are dairy such as yogurt, cheese, and kefir with live and active cultures; fermented vegetables like pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi; fermented soy such as miso and tempeh, and soy sauce and wine.”

For supplementation of prebiotics, Andrews recommends 2-4 grams of prebiotics per day to help feed healthy gut bacteria and keep things balanced. You may actually feel worse before you feel better, he says, since bacteria release toxins.

Things to do to avoid getting sick according to Andrews include avoiding over- or under-exercising, avoiding over- or under-eating, maintaining a healthy body weight, washing your hands, getting enough sleep consistently, managing stress, eating plenty of nutrient-dense foods, and feeding your healthy bacteria.