FOOD+NUTRITION By Kate Lyman
The Best Way to Support Your Immune System It’s easy to feel overwhelmed about how to be your healthiest self during this time when health feels extra important (hello, worldwide pandemic and the fast approach of winter). Countless products tout the ability to boost immune systems, but what does that actually mean?
THE TRUTH: The goal is not to boost your immune system, but to support its optimal function. The immune system is a network of many working parts, and boosting cellular functions would probably (ironically) result in sickness, rather than increasing immunity. Consuming certain micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) is important for it to function optimally, but green teas, juice cleanses, supplements, and essential oils aren’t the magic cure to create optimal immune health.
Supporting immune health looks like: • M anaging stress levels • G etting adequate sleep • P rioritizing exercise and movement • E ating a balanced diet filled with micronutrients (vitamins and minerals that come from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein sources like organ meat; meat; and eggs) It’s generally boring lifestyle changes that reap greater benefits than quick fixes and fast-acting products. It’s also these same actions that lead to overall long-term health.
Focusing on quick fixes like supplements and vitamins that claim to boost or enhance the immune system is far less important than prioritizing basic practices that support your overall health and allow for an optimally functioning immune system.
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Kate Lyman, MPH, CHES is a Memphis-based nutrition coach who believes in ditching restrictive diet rules and building flexible eating habits so that you can eat the foods you enjoy while still working towards your goals. She provides personalized online nutrition coaching and creates resources that can help anyone improve their diet. Find her cookbooks, nutrition guides, and other resources at katelymannutrition.com or on follow along at @klnutrition.
