Strengthening the Immune System

Strengthening the immune system is a hot topic these days and with good reason. We are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, and because there is so much uncertainty about this virus, we are mainly being told that the only way to avoid getting it is to limit our exposure by social distancing, wearing masks, and staying home. However, there is another defense that can help protect us, and that is to have a strong immune system so that even if you are exposed to it, your body will have the ability to fight it more effectively. 

Having a strong immune system requires a multi-faceted approach. Our providers are experts at identifying what might be causing immune system deficiencies at their root cause(s) and then coming up with an individualized treatment plan to boost your immunity and live a healthier life. Our practice focuses on Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, Thyroid Testing and Disease Management, Gut Health and Nutritional Testing, and taking an overall Functional Medicine approach to your health. This involves spending more time with our patients and using state-of-the-art lab testing to get to the root cause of what is ailing you. 

Pillars of A Strong Immune System

• Diet and nutrition
• Maintaining a healthy “gut”
• Balanced hormones
• Getting adequate amounts of quality sleep
• Stress management
• Exercise
• Strong support system via family and friends

Gut Health

Gut Health and diet/nutrition go hand in hand since the gut is so heavily influenced by what we eat and drink. Gut health is also one of the biggest influencers of your overall health since up to 70% of your immune function is controlled by the gut. There has been a great deal of research that shows that the gut is so influential over your body that it’s considered your second brain.

It may be confusing as to what the “gut” actually is, and where it’s located in your body. The gut is part of your digestive system; digestion actually starts the moment you eat or drink. Food goes into your stomach, which helps to break down food so that once it reaches the small intestine, nutrients can be absorbed into the bloodstream. The large intestine is also part of the digestive system and is mostly responsible for eliminating waste. There is a gut “microbiome” which is a pocket located at the junction of the small and large intestine, and this is where the action takes place. This pocket is called the cecum and is the collective of trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, amino acids, and proteins, all of which contain genes.

When you’re born, your microbiome is undeveloped and consists of genes that have been inherited from your mother’s gut microbiome. This is why babies are so susceptible to bacterial and viral infections; their immune systems are very weak because of the lack of flora and resistance in their guts.

It’s not possible to control the genes that you are born with, but it is possible to alter the genetic markers in the gut based on diet and lifestyle. A thriving ecosystem is one that is diverse and balanced. Think of your gut as its own ecosystem living in your body; the more diverse and balanced that it is, the stronger your immune system will be, and you will experience greater overall health.

The flora in the biome are varied. Some are good (healthy), and some are bad (unhealthy). The key is doing what you can to keep the good flora thriving which will keep your immune system strong.

Your gut has many roles. It produces vitamins and nutrients, neurotransmitters, etc., which are in constant communication with other systems in the body and brain. It’s also responsible for:

• Digestion of food
• Communication with the immune and endocrine systems
• Nutrient absorption
• Protection against pathogen overgrowth
• Regulation of intestinal mucosal barriers

When your gut is in a state of dysbiosis, or imbalance, it makes you more susceptible to acute infections and chronic diseases. The healthier the flora, the more protection you will have from the outside environment. When the gut is unhealthy, it can cause problems with nutrient absorption and hormonal imbalances, and the permeable barrier that lines the intestinal wall can become compromised, leading to Leaky Gut Syndrome.

If the gut wall is compromised, minute spaces called “tight junctions” loosen and allow toxins, partially undigested food particles, and other harmful bacteria and viruses to cross over and enter the bloodstream. Leaky Gut, or Increased Intestinal Permeability” can trigger the immune system to overreact in defense against what the body considers to be foreign invaders. An overreactive immune system also causes inflammation throughout the entire body, and when the immune system is forced into overdrive, “attacks” can be waged against healthy organs and/or glands. Symptoms of an overactive immune system present themselves by autoimmune diseases such as:

• Hashimoto’s Disease
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Type 1 Diabetes
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Psoriasis
• Crohn’s Disease
• Celiac Disease
• Lupus
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia

Studies also show that gut dysbiosis creates more of a risk factor for inflammatory responses that can lead to heart disease and even some cancers. 

Things That Can Negatively Affect the Microbiome Include:

• A diet high in sugary or processed foods, and unhealthy fats
• Antibiotic overuse
• Chronic NSAID use, such as Advil and Motrin, can damage the intestinal lining. 
• Inflammatory foods such as gluten
• Birth control pills
• High stress levels – the gut and brain communicate with each other through the vagal nerve. When the body or mind is stressed, more cortisol (the fight/flight hormone) is released, which can cause the digestive system to shut down.
• Unbalanced or deficient hormone levels
• Illness or trauma
• Obesity
• Sleep deprivation

Often, one of the first clues that your body will give you if your gut is not functioning optimally is that you will develop digestive issues.  Additionally, you will feel “run down” or fatigued, and your hormones will become imbalanced. You may also develop food sensitivities which can trigger varying symptoms in other parts of the body. Your mood may change, and memory and cognition may feel more impaired.

Fortunately, balance can be restored to the gut. The providers at the offices of Forum Health Las Colinas use lab testing such as the Genova GI Effects, which can identify what type and how much flora is in your gut so that it can be treated properly. Additionally, the ALCAT is a food sensitivity test that will tell you exactly what foods may be causing your body to go awry. The NutrEval test can also identify nutritional deficiencies which can also compromise the immune system and make you feel unwell. Once the root cause problems are identified, they can be addressed by our experts so that you can strengthen your immune system and achieve better health. We spend a lot of time with our patients so that we can educate and empower them with the knowledge that they need to participate in restoring their health.

Hormonal Imbalances

Both women and men experience hormonal changes throughout their lives. These can occur as a result of poor diet, life changes, stress, sleep disturbances, medications, and age. PMS, estrogen dominance, PCOS, pregnancy, perimenopause/menopause, and andropause all can cause hormonal imbalances as well.

Hormone imbalances don’t just occur with the sex hormones. If your thyroid gland is underproducing, you can experience many unpleasant symptoms and side effects. Adrenal hormones can become out of whack, especially when you are faced with ongoing or acute stressors to both the mind and body. Insulin resistance is another common hormonal imbalance that can wreak havoc on the body.

It’s important to understand that the body’s hormones act as a symphony playing together in the entire endocrine system. If hormonal imbalances are occurring in one area, then chances are that all of your hormonal levels can become affected.

Hormonal imbalances can lead to a weakened immune system. Research has shown that deficiencies in a person’s sex hormones can compromise immunity. According to the National Institute of Health, “Decades of research have provided strong evidence for a reciprocal relationship between the immune system and hormones of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), in particular, has been shown to have a variety of immune-regulating activities.”

Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalances Include:

• Fatigue
• Osteoporosis
• Loss of muscle mass/increased fat
• Irregular periods/infertility
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Headaches
• Anxiety and Depression
• Dry skin
• Constipation
• Hair loss
• Irritability
• Muscle and/or joint pain
• Painful sex
• Vaginal dryness
• Erectile dysfunction
• High cholesterol levels
• Insulin resistance
• Decreased ability to handle stress
• Brain fog/cognitive dysfunction
• Loss of vitality
• Decreased motivation

The proper way to address hormonal imbalances is through an integrative, personalized, comprehensive, and regularly monitored program, which includes bioidentical hormone replacement. Our program incorporates:

• Scientific-based laboratory testing
• Provider consultation
• Comprehensive health assessment
• Nutritional education
• Medically proven supplements as needed
• Bioidentical hormones prescribed based on your individual needs

Sleep

According to a Gallop Poll in 2015, 42% of Americans get less than 7 hours of sleep. Lack of sleep and poor sleep quality depletes your hormones, increases brain fog, fatigue, anxiety/depression, weakens your immune system, and can lead to all kinds of medical issues like hypertension.

Additionally, it’s estimated that 70% of adults in the U.S. have sleep problems. Unfortunately, many times when people tell their physicians that they are having trouble sleeping, they are prescribed a sleeping pill. All too often, this is a band-aid approach and doesn’t address the root cause of the problem. There are many things that can cause sleep deprivation, such as:

• Cortisol and melatonin imbalances that affect the circadian rhythm. Melatonin is produced in the pineal gland and in the gut. Studies have shown that gut health heavily influences sleep. Serotonin, which is also referred to as the “feel good” hormone, is a precursor to melatonin. Up to 70% of serotonin is produced in the gut as well, so a deficiency here can be a double-edged sword.
• Other hormonal imbalances such as deficiencies in progesterone, estrogen, and thyroid.
• Magnesium deficiency. Magnesium is a natural tranquilizer, sleep aid, and muscle relaxer. We refer to it as the “magic mineral!”
• Sleep apnea
• Restless leg syndrome
• Chronic pain
• Anxiety, worry, or excessive mind chatter; having a
• GERD or other GI disorders
• Urinary problems
• Unhealthy sleep hygiene, such as going to bed too late or using blue light devices (smartphones, computers, televisions) within 2 hours before bedtime.
• Consumption of caffeine too late in the day
• Exercising too late in the day
• Excessive alcohol use

Regardless of the cause of sleep problems, they can affect every part of your health and life, how fast you age, and even your lifespan.

Our providers can help to identify potential medical issues that may be impeding your ability to get a good night’s sleep so that they can be addressed. Additionally, they can use their expertise to educate you on any lifestyle changes that need to be made to assist you in getting better sleep.

Stress

Stress is immunosuppressive. Over time, stress can lead to serious disease and can cause death. The initial “fight or flight” response stimulates the immune system for a short-term solution so that the body can avoid infection or heal a wound. However, when our stress response never shuts off and cortisol levels remain elevated due to chronic stress (whether real or perceived), our immune system is actually weakened.

Chronic stress can affect how long it takes us to recover from illness or injury, but it also makes us much more susceptible to infections and diseases, including depression and anxiety.

The good news is that while we can’t always control the stress that life brings our way, we can control how we handle our daily stress. Studies have shown that increasing mindfulness exercises in our daily routine decreases the production of cortisol and reduces feelings of anxiety and fatigue.

Mindfulness is about being present, aware, grateful, and intentional in our daily lives. The mind-body connection is so powerful, that simply recognizing that is an easy first step towards practicing this.

Exercise

You do not have to join a gym or go to a yoga class to get exercise. I think we’ve made resolutions that we will start exercising, and then end up putting it off until “tomorrow!” Oftentimes, the hardest part of exercising is starting! No matter how out of shape you are, all you need is a starting point. That may be just putting one foot in front of the other and walking to the mailbox and back. The next time, walk a little further. Ideally, to get the best benefits from exercise, you should do it three to four times per week at a minimum of 30 minutes per session.

Once you begin to exercise and start to feel the benefits, you will have more motivation and discipline to do it on a regular basis, as the benefits are exponential!

Exercise helps our brain health, gut health, endocrine health, insulin levels, blood pressure, and much, much more. To quote Nike, “Just Do It!”

Supplementation

Our providers are well-educated about supplements and can provide recommendations to you based on your individual health care and nutritional needs.

Even when eating a clean diet, most commercially grown food does not contain the same amount of nutrients that it did when our grandparents were growing up. This is because, in part, improper rotation of crops and mass farming on a global scale has depleted the nutrients in the soil.

It is surprising how often we see patients who have nutritional deficiencies. Vitamin D, for example, which is extremely important for a strong immune system, is a vitamin mainly derived from the sun. While it is available in some foods, the main source has always been good old-fashioned sunshine. With people leading busier lives, they’re not outside as often. Additionally, sunscreen will block all vitamin D from being produced from the sun.

We offer only top-quality nutraceuticals to our patients, and our providers can help which ones are right for you, and which ones can help to strengthen your immune system.

Functional Medicine Approach to Boosting Immunity

Our program utilizes the expertise of our providers. They will use their training and experience to help you make the best decisions regarding diet, exercise, stress, sleep management, and bioidentical hormones to help you achieve optimal physical and mental health. Our goal is for you to achieve optimal health and a lifetime of wellness.

We do this by using a Functional Medicine approach with our patients. This involves taking the necessary time to spend with you and listen to your needs, and also to educate and empower you. Our appointments are always 1 – 2 hours in length so that we are never rushed.

Additionally, the lab testing that we utilize is sophisticated, scientific, and comprehensive so that we can get to the root cause of your health issues rather than just prescribing a band-aid medication to mask your symptoms.

Each provider is dedicated to helping you to be your strongest and healthiest self so that you are able to lead a life of quality and vitality!

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