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BUILDING A TITANIUM IMMUNE SYSTEM

By Link LeGrand

Real Estate Broker/Owner with LeGrand Brokerage

March 21, 2011 11:46 PM

From KW Commercial's www.kwcommercialsa.com Ask the Expert Page from Dr. Michael Williams Wellness Page http://kwcommercialsa.com/blog/?category_name=dr-williams-chiropractic-wellness-page under the topic of BUILDING A TITANIUM IMMUNE SYSTEM http://kwcommercialsa.com/blog/?p=638

BUILDING A TITANIUM IMMUNE SYSTEM

[Dr. Michael Williams at 2011-3-22 in: Dr. Michael Williams' Chiropractic & Wellness Page]

Before we start learning how to build up our immune system, we need to know what it is. I believe our immune system is truly a gift from God. He has given us the inborn innate ability to fight off sickness and disease. The Immune system is made up of several different organs. These organs consist of the thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes. Although it is not an organ, bone marrow is considered part of this system as well. These organs all play a vital role in producing, maturing, and filtering all of our immune fighting cells. We must help in this life long battle. Below I will talk about 7 steps you can take to build a Titanium Immune System.

The first step is FEEDING the immune system. Take a look at our diet as a society; Americans consume too much fast food and not enough healthy food. If you have not seen Morgan Spurlock's 2004 documentary, Super Size Me, then it is a must watch. It tells a great story about what our fast food craze is really doing to us. So, what can you eat? Try to stay organic if you can. This can be a little more expensive so try purchasing organic items that you cook with or use on a regular basis. For instance, organic milk or free range organic eggs. Next, eat more fruits and vegetables. I know I sound like your Mom, but seriously...did you know that 60-80% of your diet should be made up of green leafy vegetables! Try foods like spinach, broccoli, and romaine lettuce, and soft skinned fruits like berries and grapes. If you have to peal the skin to eat it, you can get by with regular fruits like apples, bananas, and oranges. Once again, try to stay as organic as you can and always remember to wash your fruits and vegetables before eating them.

The second step is DAILY VITAMIN CONSUMPTION. Due to our improper diet, Americans now have to rely on vitamin supplements to receive their recommended daily nutrition. The most important of all to have is a multivitamin. Because your body can not always completely break down a pill before it is passed out of your system, I would suggest trying one in liquid form. Liquid multivitamins begin to immediately be absorbed from the moment you start to drink them. Another vitamin to have is a good fish oil supplement. Fish oils have amazing attributes that we do not get enough of such as Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids which help with all basic body functions. Most fish oil supplements require refrigeration and should not omit a fishy smell when opened. Finally, the last important supplement is Vitamin D. While some foods may say they contain vitamin D, the best way to absorb it is through natural sun light. I believe we should all try to get at least 30 minutes of natural sun light a day, reaching our arms and legs. Unfortunately, absorption through only the face and neck is not enough. Although it can sometimes be impossible to get that much sun on a daily basis, do not plan a 6 hour float on an inner-tube down the Guadalupe River on Saturday to make up for what you have missed during the week. Too much of anything can be bad for you. Before beginning any new vitamin regimen, be sure to research your possibilities and discuss them with a professional and always follow the directions on the label unless informed otherwise.

Our next step is to REDUCE YOUR SUGAR INTAKE. While I believe natural sugar is very important and can be used and excreted throughout your body, consuming too much sugar can cause slow healing and decrease immune resistance. People who eat high sugar diets are constantly immune compromised. One table spoon of sugar reduces immune function by 400%. Each white blood cell (immune fighting cell) will eat 14 bad bacteria an hour. After consuming just one soda, the white blood cell is reduced to eating 8 bad bacteria an hour. This effect can last for hours. So, if your typical day goes like this: wake up in the morning and have a cup of coffee with a couple tea spoons of sugar; with lunch, you have one soda; to battle that afternoon fatigue, you have a red bull to wake you up; and finally, after a hard day's work, a glass of sweet tea at home, yep, I would say your immune system is probably decreased and has been ALL DAY! Try drinking a glass of water at lunch and instead of the red bull, take some vitamin B. But, by all means, do not supplement with diet or sugar free products as these have manmade chemicals in them - such as Aspertame (a known cancer causing agent) - that are far worse than natural sugar.

In step 4, we are going to talk about MOTION. Motion is life and life is motion: exercise your immune system. Exercising not only builds muscle but it increases your circulatory flow which in turn, oxygenates your body and moves proper nutrients to much needed cells. For example, light exercise such as walking 5 times a week for 30 minutes can lower heart disease by 50%! Now, do not jump up right now and go run 10 miles unless your body is used to it. Each individual has different needs and capabilities and will require a different workout regimen. Start light and slowly increase the amount of exertion as time goes by. Remember to discuss any new exercise routine with a professional before you begin and always listen to your body.

Step number 5 is AVOID IMMUNE CRASHERS. Immune crashers can be many things such as poor nutrition, excessive alcohol, and smoking. A major immune crasher today is stress. In today's society, stress may be your number one enemy. You have to live, love, and let go. Everyone needs to develop appropriate coping skills to deal with and relieve stress. Another major immune system Sabatier is antibiotics. Is there a time and place for them? Absolutely! But, I believe our nation is significantly over-medicated. Your body was given a natural ability (immune system) to protect and fight off sickness. Understand it, help it, and allow it to do its designed job.

The 6^th step is MEDITATION, such as silence or prayer. Research shows that prayer/meditation changes brain chemistry and produces healing chemicals and hormones. On the flip side, stressful thoughts can cause disease and destruction to cells and tissue. It is imperative to take some time for yourself and relax. Try not to bring the physical and emotional stresses of work home with you. Go on a walk or enjoy nature if possible. Take time to go outside and throw a ball with little Johnny or your favorite pet. Massage, yoga and other types of stress relievers are also highly recommended.

The 7^th and last step to building a Titanium Immune System is the one I feel is MOST important! You need 100% BRAIN TO BODY COMMUNICATION every day. The central nervous system - composed of your brain and spinal cord - is like your body's switchboard. It's the "central command center" that manages the total operation of your body. Every movement, sense, feeling and body function - from immune response to breathing and thinking - is monitored by your central nervous system. When the spine experiences stress or injury, it can become misaligned. This misalignment can occur when faced with such traumas as car wrecks, slips and falls. It can also occur from other unobvious things like our daily work habits, holding a phone to our ear for too long, or staring at a computer all day, and can begin as early as birth. The delivery process can be very trying on the mother, but can be highly traumatic to your child's neck and head as they travel down and out of the birth canal.

These are reasons why I highly recommend a rapidly growing form of health care called Upper Cervical Care. It focuses on the innate relationship between the first two bones in your neck called the upper cervical spine. These top two vertebrae are known as the Atlas and Axis, and they are especially vulnerable to injury or misalignment because they are the most movable segments in your spine. Their location plays a key factor in your health as well. The most valuable part of our nervous system rests gently inside these two bones. It is referred to as the brain stem. The brainstem works like a telephone cable with thousands of individual wires or nerve fibers sending signals back and forth between the brain and spinal cord to every cell, organ, and system in the body. When these two vertebrae become misaligned, it can cause pressure or a pinching of the brainstem. When this happens, the brain is unable to communicate with the rest of the body properly and we may start to see certain symptoms such as decreased immune function, headaches, allergies, fatigue, neck, arm, and lower back pain. These are just a few of the thousands of symptoms that Upper Cervical Care can help with. Upper Cervical Doctors focus their effort on locating and removing interference to the nervous system that may be the cause of your health condition. Removing this interference can allow the body to heal itself naturally without the use of potentially harmful drugs or surgery. An Upper Cervical correction is gentle and there is no forceful pulling, twisting or jerking motion of your neck. The correction is applied using a precise and controlled touch that allows the head, neck, and spine to return to their proper positions, restoring balance to the body and removing the interference.

Luckily for many San Antonio patients that have been traveling to Austin to get this specific care, Williams Upper Cervical Chiropractic & Wellness Center will be opening its doors in Stone Oak in April 2011. I would love nothing more than to sit down with my new neighbors and discuss some of the symptoms you may be having, and determine if Upper Cervical Care is right for you. Until then, follow these precise steps to start Building a Titanium Immune System!

Innately yours,

Michael Williams D.C.