You want a strong immune system but don’t know where to start. We’ve got you covered with our comprehensive nutrition and wellness coaching services. Here’s what you and your immune system can accomplish with a health coach.
Even with the advent of fast-acting medications and proactive vaccinations, we’re still at risk for disease and illness. Case and point: We just endured a worldwide pandemic.
Viruses, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens float around in the air and hang out on the surfaces you touch. You can’t avoid them, but you can do something to thwart their attacks on your body. Navigating the advice from the internet and social media influencers can be confusing, contradictory, and downright dangerous. Don’t go it alone.
Dr. Blair Beltzer and our dedicated team at Ignite One help you reach optimal health and wellness through target training and user-friendly nutrition education. In this blog, we dive into how we help you tap into a solid plan to keep sickness at bay and keep you healthy for the long haul.
Getting to know your immune system
Your immune system is like your body’s built-in military, sworn to protect you against anything and everything that seeks to threaten your health. It comes equipped with various “soldiers” that help make it possible.
Here’s a closer look.
Blood and lymph
Your immune system gets its power from five liters of blood and lymph. Lymph is a clear, colorless liquid that passes through the tissues of your body. Together, blood and lymph act as a transportation system for the rest of the elements of your immune system.
White cells
Careening through your blood and lymph are white blood cells, fixed on seeking out and destroying antigens (viruses, bacteria, toxins, and other harmful pathogens).
As your white blood cells “do battle,” they create antibodies that help you fight off antigens the next time you get infected.
The threat against your immune system
You’re born with an innate immune system, and your adaptive immune system becomes more robust when you encounter antigens. Unfortunately, threats lurk behind every corner.
Everyday factors like stress, anxiety, age, inactivity, insufficient sunlight, poor sleep, vitamin deficiencies, medications, smoking, and alcohol can weaken your immune system.
We prioritize nutrition and wellness coaching to keep your immune system troops in line. Here’s what you should know.
Nutrition — your immune system’s arsenal
Every good army has an arsenal to aid its attacks — that’s what solid nutrition does for your immune system.
Everything you eat either helps or harms your immune system, so your food choices matter. Some of the best immune-boosting nutrients include:
Vitamin C
Found in citrus fruits, broccoli, and bell peppers, vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps protect against harmful pathogens.
Vitamin D
Our bodies produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, but it’s also plentiful in fatty fish and fortified foods. Vitamin D helps regulate your immune system and may help protect you against respiratory infections.
Zinc
Zinc is essential to immune system function and helps protect against infection. You can find it in oysters, beef, and pumpkin seeds.
Selenium
In Brazil nuts, tuna, and eggs, selenium is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against oxidative stress and inflammation.
Remember, the key to good nutrition is balance. Make sure your diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, fats, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Health coach? Or major general?
If your immune system is an army, it needs a leader to follow. Dr. Beltzer is an experienced health coach with invaluable resources that help you optimize your nutrition and lifestyle habits to support your immune system’s health. We can work with you to:
- Identify nutrient deficiencies and make dietary recommendations to address them
- Create a personalized nutrition plan that meets your unique needs and preferences
- Develop an exercise program that supports immune system health
- Identify and manage stressors that may be impacting your immune system’s function
- Help you set and achieve health goals that support overall well-being
Working with our team can also help you stay motivated and accountable in making positive changes to support your immune system’s health.
Proper nutrition and working with a health coach can be powerful tools in fortifying your immune system. If you’re interested in working with our expert health coach, don’t hesitate to request an appointment online or over the phone today for a consultation at our office in Montclair, New Jersey.