Have you ever had someone in your life who’s always there for you? Constantly fighting in your corner. True allies are hard to find, and you cherish yours. Whether it’s a spouse, friend, or coworker – relying on that trusted someone provides reassurance. You know you can always count on them, and nothing assures you more.
You may not think about this, but another vital champion resides within your body. No, we’re going less science fiction and more straight science here.
On a cellular level, your best friend and biggest fighter is your immune system.
Yes, literally! It’s working 24/7 to protect you from a world full of harm, like pesky allergy season, the global pandemic, and everything in between.
Supporting your immune system helps sustain you from the inside out. Your cells need certain vitamins, nutrients, and minerals to work properly. You can assist your immune system with simple lifestyle choices and the right foods to fuel your body.
Integrative Vision pushes further than standard eye care by focusing on functional medicine and nutrition for preventive health. Today we’re going to give you tools to make healthy choices. Learn how to boost your immunity — from lifestyle options to supplements!
Behavioral and Lifestyle Habits (or Changes) to Support Your Immunity
Behavior Changes
The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us all of the importance of simple habits that protect our immunity. Since we’re surrounded by harmful germs daily, diligent handwashing is vital to defend yourself and help your immune system.
The mouth, nose, and eyes are all surfaces that absorb germs easily, and touching them mindlessly throughout the day is a sure way to increase your chances of getting sick. We know, it feels rudimentary, but “don’t touch your face” is standard advice for good reason!
Handwashing and not touching your face are two small behavioral habits that aid your immune system by denying unnecessary germs an invitation inside.
Lifestyle Habits
Similar to smart behaviors, living a certain lifestyle changes your health.
Does this sound familiar?
You pick up a pizza on the way home from work – dinner, homework, play, bath, and then bedtime for the kids. Finally, you have some downtime. Of course, you stay up too late talking to your spouse, scrolling on your phone, or watching your favorite tv show because it’s peaceful after a long day.
But you only get 5 hours of sleep before you have to do it all over again. (Not good!)
Our immune system depends on sleep to function properly. It gives our bodies time to rest and heal from everyday stress and wear. The immune system relies on adequate sleep to fight off and repair both injury and infection. It regulates inflammatory and antiviral responses — all essential in keeping you healthy.
You know when you’re sick, all you want to do is sleep because your immune system has been compromised. Get some extra sleep from now on, doctor’s orders!
Dr.Gioia’s passionate about nutrition and healthy living because she’s seen the amazing outcome of small choices. She’ll tell you it’s important to get a good night’s rest and add another lifestyle habit: Exercise.
We know it sounds like a broken record, but sleep and exercise are so important for your immunity and overall well-being. The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderately intense exercise for adults each week. 30-minute walks, 5 days a week? Done!
You don’t have to run a marathon or do yoga if that’s not your thing. But find something active that works to benefit your health and mind. One choice at a time, it’s possible to maintain this smart lifestyle.
These are all preventative ways to support our body’s reliable friend: the immune system. Now let’s take a look at ways to boost our immunity through what we eat and reliable supplements.
Sustaining Your Immune System with Nutritious Foods & Supplements
We’re hoping to make healthy choices easier for you in our fast-paced lives. We know it’s hard to think and plan when it comes to meals, but knowing how to fuel your body with dense nutrition sets you up to feel your best and power through each day.
Fruits and vegetables should be a staple in your diet. Just like your immune system works hard to protect you — fruits and vegetables provide minerals, vitamins, and nutrients to fuel your immune cells so they’re ready for anything.
Fruits provide loads of antioxidants to support your immune system. Antioxidants play a vital role in preventing free radicals. If the balance of antioxidants and free radicals are off, excess free radicals cause oxidative stress. This makes it way easier for illness and disease to wreak havoc on your body.
Vitamin C’s packed with antioxidants and is found in foods like plums, cherries, oranges, rose hips, and even chili peppers. Eating healthy does not have to be boring!
Zinc’s a valuable mineral because it’s crucial in the normal development and function of cells related to immunity and helps with oxidative stress. High amounts of zinc can be found in red meat, legumes, peanuts, cashews, or pine nuts. One study showed a daily 15mg supplement of zinc reduced the risk of illness by 11% compared to a group without it.
When our bodies lack key nutritional elements, our cells suffer — and when this happens, YOU feel it. Nourishing your body with high-quality food and supplements to help your journey is a great way to give your immune system added support. But it’s hard to know what brand to trust.
Practitioner Grade Supplements Are A Click Away at Integrative Vision
We hope you haven’t been down the road of taking a supplement you thought was good for you only to find out it’s filled with preservatives and sugar. The industry standards for supplements are not easy to navigate. It’s hard to know that the product you’re buying will actually benefit you.
We’re here to give you the best resources on your health adventure. As a certified functional medicine optometrist, Dr. Gioia proudly partners with Fullscripts to provide practitioner-grade supplements to her patients — and anyone interested in expanding their nutrition. (Patient or not, you’re covered!)
Support Your Eye Health and More with Integrative Vision
Functional medicine addresses the root causes of the problems you’re experiencing, often providing lasting relief. Giving your body dense nutrition delivers a form of preventative medicine dating back millennia.
When your entire body is fueled properly, it allows your immune system (and everything else) to work its best. Your cells are ready and prepared to fight off illness and disease.
Dr. Neda Gioia takes eye care beyond standard treatments by making nutrition front and center for your vision and overall health.
As a unique leader in her field, she’s created the SEEHealth Program to guide patients like you towards healthy living. This easy-to-follow 6-month plan sets you up with resources, plans, recipes, and more. You even get direct health coaching from Dr. Gioia herself.
Your immune system functions for every aspect of your health. At Integrative Vision we know how much your eyesight and health mean to you — we’re ready to support your journey! How will you support your immune system today?
