Your immune system is a powerful defense mechanism against organisms and substances that invade the body. Depending on a number of factors — including age, health, lifestyle and environment — your immune response can vary in its ability to handle disease-causing microorganisms. Though the most exciting research is yet to come, studies show that there are ways you may be able to support your immune system that are simple to incorporate into your daily routine. So whether you’re feeling stressed out or everyone around you is catching a cold, a handful of lifestyle adjustments, healthy habits and superfood supplements may be able to support your body’s ability to fight off harmful microorganisms. Here are easy switches you can make to support your immune health today.
Get Enough Sleep
An estimated 50 to 70 million Americans reported having sleep disorders. While sleep isn’t a cure-all for every illness, sleep deficiency or deprivation can lead to a host of health problems. Not to mention that it dramatically impedes your body’s immune response. While the optimal number of hours a person should be sleeping each night varies from person to person, the National Sleep Foundation advises that people between the ages of 18 and 64 get seven to nine hours of sleep.
If you’re having trouble sleeping, try taking Reishi mushroom powder before bed. Reishi has been shown to help reduce anxiousness and promote better sleep. Mix it into a warm cup of nut milk or chamomile tea.
Exercise Regularly
We’ve all heard that exercising regularly is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, but it plays a role in helping support a strong immune system, too. It promotes better circulation, which impacts the body’s ability to send immune cells throughout the body with more freedom and efficiency. Not to mention it helps the body regulate stress, which can directly impact the immune system and make the body less capable of warding off pathogens.
Whether it’s walking, Tai Chi, swimming, lifting weights or yoga, find a form of exercise that you enjoy and practice it regularly. Even better if you can find a workout buddy to keep you accountable and provide good company! Before any workout, take Cordyceps mushroom to help build endurance, stamina, energy and vitality.
Eat Nutrient-Rich Foods
While taking a vitamin C supplement is beneficial, plenty of foods are naturally high in this immune-enhancing nutrient. Vitamin C is abundant in vibrant fruits and veggies, from cabbage and peppers to spinach, beets, grapefruit and kiwis. Fruit in general defends cells from environmental stressors and bacteria. Raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and goji berries contain antioxidants that help fight oxidative stress.
Take Functional Mushrooms
In addition to eating foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals, superfood mushrooms are a way to add immune-supporting compounds to your daily routine. Mushrooms work with your body over time; to be truly effective, functional mushrooms should be taken every day to help potentiate your immune system. While the ability of a single dose of mushrooms can certainly be powerful, taking one dose of two grams of mushroom powder per day on a regular basis will be effective to maintain your health. While all superfood mushrooms are packed with antioxidants and a host of bioactive compounds such as beta glucans that can support immune health, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga and Turkey Tail specifically are teeming with benefits that can help support an immune response.
Om Superfood Mushrooms, a thought-leader in the world of whole food functional mushrooms, grows a comprehensive range of 11 species of certified 100% organic mushrooms at its state-of-the art indoor farm in Southern California. Its superfood powders, capsules and on-the-go drink sticks are convenient for any time of day. Superfood mushroom powders are versatile. You can add them to lattes, tea, coffee, smoothies, soups dressings, oatmeal, eggs, and recipes. You can even incorporate them to your baked goods for an added boost of nutritious ingredients. Healthy cookies anyone?
Edie Horstman is a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, wellness blogger, and freelance writer. She works with health-focused brands, co-creating content in the digital marketing space. She lives in Denver, Colorado.
References
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323431.php
- https://ommushrooms.com/collections/reishi
- https://www.apa.org/research/action/immune
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/reishi-mushroom-uses-and-risks
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/glycemic-index-diet/art-20048478
- https://ommushrooms.com/collections/all
- https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/best-medicinal-mushrooms-to-try
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-high-in-antioxidants
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-981/echinacea
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/research/advancements-in-research/fundamentals/in-depth/the-gut-where-bacteria-and-immune-system-meet
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