5 Tips to Boost your Immune System

As you are
probably aware, this year’s flu season struck early and with a vengeance. And
every news source is reporting on it in some way, shape or form.

But for
patients whose immune function is compromised from chemotherapy, avoiding the
flu is more than just a catchy headline — it’s a necessity. This
is because patients undergoing treatment for cancer are more vulnerable to
complications like pneumonia if they do get the flu.

In Life
Over Cancer, Dr. Block details his recommendations for an immune support
program. At the foundation of this self-care program is, of course, the Life
Over Cancer diet. Here are a few additional recommendations that can help
support immune function all year long:

1. Build your diet around high-fiber,
low-fat foods. Aim for a
dozen servings a day of phytochemical-rich vegetables and fruits (a good
green-vegetable and fruit drink can help you meet this goal). Carotenoid-rich
vegetables appear to be especially beneficial. Some examples include kale,
spinach, carrots, oranges, broccoli, and tomatoes. Bonus: Onions and garlic, both members of the allium
family, are high in allicin, an organosulfide that helps the body remove toxic
compounds, enhance immune function, reduce blood clotting and lower blood
pressure.

2. Get active! Moderate, consistent exercise such as
walking, running or yoga helps keep your immune system functioning at a high
level. But be careful not to overdo it. Excessive exercise or an abrupt change
in exercise patterns can actually depress your immune system, leaving you
susceptible to illness. 

3. Minimize emotional distress. Emotional stress can make you more vulnerable
to infectious diseases, particularly if you have received conventional
treatments that compromise immune resistance to viral and bacterial pathogens.
Stress can also cause you to eat poorly, lose sleep, not exercise, and abuse
tobacco, drugs, and alcohol, all of which can further impair immune function.
Make sure to incorporate mind-spirit techniques into your routine, such as
meditation and relaxed abdominal breathing.

4. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol makes natural killer cells sluggish
and impairs macrophage activity. It also dehydrates and can disrupt sleep
patterns, which leads us to our final tip…

5. Get plenty of sleep. Sufficient rest is key in fighting
fatigue and boosting immunity. Trouble falling asleep? Try maintaining a
soothing bedtime ritual, such as a warm bath or listening to quiet music. Also
pick a bedtime and stick to it – even on weekends.

 For more information on The Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment, visit BlockMD.com.