Why a Balanced Immune System is the Key to Total Body Wellness

Health is not a matter of luck. It is something you create.

The immune system is a regulatory function meaning that it is in a state of “dynamic balance” this is something that is observed in the Daoist principles of Chinese and East Asian Medicine. Using the metaphor of Qi or life energy flow helps to look at health as vital energy.

Wei Qi is the defensive Qi that surrounds us and protects us from illness that are referred to as “evil” pathogens.

For the most part we don’t notice our immune system at work unless we get a runny nose , a rash or a fever. A well balanced system just works, this is know as homeostasis.

When a person has a balanced immune system, they may not notice any “symptoms” because the immune system is able to recognize immediately pathogens surrounding them and escort them out or “kill them”. Their body can sense when there is something off and respond rapidly to auto-regulate. 

Getting sick is really our immune system responding to an attack and it just happens that we are the battlefield where the attack is taking place.

In Asian culture, the practice of cultivating health and longevity, this involves practices that strengthen the mind body connection. There are principles that support the development of optimal health and wellness. The 8 principles in East Asian medicine are. food, exercise, meditation/mindfulness, acupuncture, herbs, bodywork, cosmology (season and planetary influences) and Feng Shui (the art and science of placement).

How to work with the genetics you were born with so you can take charge of your health destiny.

You are born with a constitution (genetic predisposition) that has strengths and weaknesses and as you develop nutrition, activities, behaviors environmental factors influence your health and wellbeing.  

Scientific research shows that environmental factors play a role in our immune system in the form of epigenetics. Environmental chemicals, nutrition, emotional and stress challenge the immune system and your body chemistry can turn on certain genes that later can become chronic diseases. 

A balanced immune system does not mean you won’t get “sick” The symptoms we call sick such as, a runny nose, sneezing, fever, cough, sweating, vomiting and diarrhea are the body’s way of getting rid of a virus or bacteria. 

This means making sure to get proper nutrition, exercise, sleep as well as cultivate mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.  

The idea of “boosting” is really more like making sure that the immune system is supported so that your body will do what it does best balance and heal, and will have energy when it encounters a pathogen or virus.

• Start now even if it is a baby step!

• Hydrate with water and avoid sugary drinks, caffeine and alcohol

• Foods that are plant based and anti-inflammatory

• Food that is nutrient dense so that the body can absorb and metabolize easily

• get regular exercise, this helps with circulation and mood

• sunshine and vitamin D

• probiotics to balance your gut flora

• getting restorative sleep

• relieving stress, acupuncture can immediately shift the brain chemistry to rest and digest

• keeping a healthy weight, relieve strain on joints, the heart, lungs and kidneys

• mindfulness practice of meditation to help calm the brain

How the Pandemic is impacting pregnancy, IVF and adoption decisions.

Infertility affects both men and women and the pandemic has created and added layer of stress that needs to be addressed for a successful pregnancy.

Struggling with fertility is anxiety producing and one of the most stressful situations for women and couples.  A study shows that 68% (204 million) of Americans are worried about their family’s health related to COVID-19. 

The pandemic has increased the level of fear and anxiety over whether it is safe to conceive and have a healthy pregnancy and baby. The influence of Covid-19 pandemic on the psychological status of infertile couples is having an affect.

Studies report that as many as 30 percent of women are postponing pregnancy because of all this (health risks and worries; isolation; job loss and more)

Women with infertility will still be recovering from having their fertility treatments cancelled, surgeries postponed and closed clinics. Many women feel like they will have to start from square one. There is concern about when it will be safe to resume treatments and if COVID-19 would cause deformities such as Zika virus.

The information on the impact of Covid-19 has not been conclusive making it difficult for couples to decide if it is safe to move forward with getting pregnant. 

The CDC findings are that pregnant women are at risk for more severe illness from covid versus non-pregnant women. 

Pregnant women with Covid-19 or more likely to be admitted to the hospital and in the ICU with a 70% more likely to need ventilators according to data, though death numbers are not impacted. Even with these findings there are gaps in the data.

What do we know for sure? 

Patients that have pre-existing health issues such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and immune problems that would have also been considered high risk under normal circumstances are at higher risk if they contract Covid-19. 

During pregnancy there are changes in the immune system that make women more prone to severe illness from influenza and can also be harmful to the developing baby. Flu vaccines are an added protection during pregnancy because the antibodies will pass on to the developing baby. 

The difference with Covid-19 is that there is no vaccine available and will take time to study efficacy once it is used.

 What can couples do now?

Each couple will have to take a hard look at their health right now and if they can improve their overall health, which in turn will help with fertility and pregnancy. Look at setting a timeline and health goals around getting pregnant for both male and female.  If it is possible to postpone or wait a bit, couples that can are rethinking when they will resume if they are working with a fertility clinic. 

Taking a whole health perspective of eating well, exercising, losing weight and stress reduction will help to strengthen their immune system and reduce their risks of severe illness. 

Relieve Stress

Stress is the biggest disrupter of reproductive hormones. It’s not about relaxing, it is about the overall function of the nervous system being triggered over and over creating anxiety.

Focus on your overall health

Think of the big picture of habits that contribute to your overall health - sleep, nutrition, exercise, mind-body practices, and self-care. This can also include the relationship with your partner, as fertility can put a strain on relationships. These habits all support fertility, no matter what stage of the fertility journey you are on. 

Holistic approaches

Acupuncture: studies show acupuncture can improve fertility outcomes for both men and women. Acupuncture helps to regulate the nervous system and has shown to activate certain neuropeptides in the brain that reduce inflammation and stimulate the immune system to heal. 

Males: It is important that male fertility is investigated. Studies show the virus can damage testicular cells and interfere with spermatogenesis causing problems with male fertility. Men should get tested for antibodies and also sperm health, preemptively they can freeze sperm for the future as well.