A Naturopath’s Guide to the Immune System
Boost Your Immunity the Natural Way.
Stay well this winter with natural support. Discover a naturopath’s top nutrients, herbs, and tips to strengthen your immune system and fend off seasonal colds and flu.
Winter Special!
$40 Telehealth consultations for prevention or acute conditions.*
Key Vitamins & Minerals for Strong Immunity
When to Seek Extra Support
How Your Immune System Works
The immune system is the body’s way of protecting itself from harm. When there’s an injury or an infection, it sends special cells to the area to fight off any germs and get rid of infected cells. It can tell the difference between your own cells and harmful ones, like bacteria or viruses. It also “remembers” germs it has seen before, so it can respond more quickly next time. When the immune system is activated, it can cause inflammation, either just in one area or throughout the whole body depending on how serious the problem is. This can lead to symptoms like pain, fever, chills, sore muscles, headaches, and feeling tired.
A weakened immune system is often linked to poor nutrition, especially in children, when the body doesn’t have enough of the nutrients it needs to build and maintain healthy immune cells.
Other common causes of low immune function include:
Stress
When you’re under stress, your body produces a hormone called cortisol. This helps you take quick action by giving you more energy, like raising your blood sugar. But it also slows down non-essential functions, including the immune system. If stress continues for a long time, it can wear down your immune defences and make you more likely to get sick.
Ongoing illness
Autoimmune conditions
Genetics
Some people naturally have stronger immune systems and recover quickly from illness. Others may be more sensitive and prone to getting sick. But this sensitivity can also be a strength, as it often means being more in tune with your body and noticing health issues earlier, which can help with long-term health.
Signs of a weak immune system may include:
Getting sick more often
Getting sick often with colds, flus, or infections caused by bacteria or fungi can be a sign your immune system is struggling..
Slow recovery
Taking longer than usual to recover from illness or for cuts and wounds to heal may point to low immune function.
Digestive issues
Ongoing gut problems can signal a weak immune system, since much of your immune activity happens in the gut.
Chronic inflammation
Feeling puffy, sore, or inflamed without a clear cause may mean your immune system is overworked or imbalanced.
When should you seek extra support?
Sometimes, your body gives you signs that your immune system needs a little extra help. If you or your child are often unwell, take a long time to recover, or have ongoing symptoms like fatigue, lingering coughs, or gut issues, it might be time to seek support. Blood test results, low vitamin D levels from lack of sun exposure, or simply struggling to make healthy lifestyle changes on your own are also important indicators. Getting the right guidance can make a big difference in rebuilding your immunity and overall wellbeing.
If you’re constantly run down or slow to recover
Feeling tired all the time, catching every bug going around, or taking much longer than others to bounce back from illness can be signs your immune system needs support.
If you don’t get much sunshine
Vitamin D, often made through sun exposure, plays an important role in immune health. If you’re indoors a lot, wear heavy sunscreen, or live in a low-sunlight area, you may need help boosting your levels.
If your kids have coughs that last for weeks
Children often get sick, but if they have lingering coughs or infections that don’t seem to clear up, it might be time to explore ways to strengthen their immune function.
If you’d like help making healthy lifestyle changes
Improving your immune function often involves sleep, nutrition, stress management, and exercise. If making these changes feels overwhelming, getting support can help you stay on track and see results.
If your blood test shows unusual white blood cell levels
White blood cells are a key part of your immune system. If a recent test shows they’re too high or too low, it’s a good idea to follow up and get professional guidance.
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Key Vitamins & Minerals for Strong Immunity
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*For more complex concerns, a second consultation might be needed. Initial consults of 60 minutes are usually required for comprehensive case-taking of complex health conditions.
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