How to Reset Your Immune System

If you are anything like me and suffer from chronic pain in your muscles and joints, according to previous studies by The University of Michigan, “chronic inflammation in aging – known as “inflammaging” – is a significant risk factor for mortality among older adults. This inflammation is also associated with lower grip strength and may be a significant predictor on the pathway between lower grip strength and both disability and chronic disease multimorbidity”.
Consequently, it is essential for the population of elderly individuals and those who are significantly injured to be mindful of their inflammation troubles. Keeping a journal not only serves as an excellent personal tool but also assists your healthcare team.
One way that was suggested to help combat and manage inflammation is to reset your immune system. Various studies have found an association between the gut microbiome and pain, now indicating that diets with high fat, high sugar content, and low fiber, along with a lack of exercise, make it more likely you will experience low-grade inflammation.
When your immune system is overburdened with senescent immune cells, it can become unbalanced and its functions impaired. Unfortunately, just solely boosting the immune system won’t provide any lasting benefits; instead, it will perpetuate the dysfunction.
It may be more effective to reset the immune system so it can restore balance and replace senescent cells with younger, stronger ones. This type of reset works by kickstarting your immune system and aiding in maintaining a normal balance of cells.
- Fasting is a well-known method for stimulating the production of new immune cells and resetting and kickstarting your immune system function. As you fast, your body uses autophagy to break down old and damaged white blood cells, discarding the damaged parts and recycling the remaining macromolecules throughout the body.
While some researchers recommend fasting for 24-48 hours to stimulate an immune system reset, some may prefer regular intermittent fasting (14-16 hours daily). It provides many of the same benefits without the discomfort of a longer fast.
- Exercise is another powerful way to kickstart your immune system and clear out old immune cells. The more intense the exercise, the more the immune system is stimulated to rejuvenate.
- Sleep and the immune system have a bidirectional relationship. Getting enough quality sleep every night profoundly impacts the immune system.
- Follow a supportive diet high in polyphenols from fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids from cold-water fish.
- Avoid GPS: gluten, processed foods, and sugar. Also, avoid DNA: dairy, nicotine, and artificial sweeteners.
- A low-carbohydrate diet reduces the damaging effect of glucose on your immune system.
But what is a senescent immune cell? Senescent cells are older, damaged cells that accumulate in the body over time. They have lost their ability to divide and reproduce and instead start spilling out inflammatory molecules that can damage surrounding tissue. This can result in chronic inflammation and the onset of pain.
It has been demonstrated that it is crucial to maintain a healthy gut microbiome to reset your immune system. So, can gut issues cause muscle pain? Let’s find out…
Can gut issues cause muscle pain?
That’s right, microbiome changes in the gut can lead to chronic inflammation, which can lead to chronic pain in the muscles and joints. With gut health increasingly being identified as a factor in physical and mental health, researchers are beginning to investigate the direct link between gut issues and muscle pain.
And as a result, we see more and more gut health taking center stage in many people’s health routines. So it’s not surprising to learn that gut issues can indeed cause pain in the muscles and joints.
Studies have found that gut imbalance can lead to heightened inflammation throughout the body, setting off a chain reaction that can lead to chronic muscle pain. But it doesn’t end there: researchers from Harvard Medical School have discovered links between gut dysfunction and rheumatoid arthritis.
So if you’re experiencing persistent joint or muscle pain, it might be worth looking into your gut health for potential answers. Regardless, it’s clear that it is worth paying attention to; if left unchecked, a gut imbalance can wreak havoc on our muscles and joints.
How do I know if my gut health is poor?
Here are ten potential warning signs you might have an unhealthy gut:
- Frequent upset stomach episodes
- Tired more often than not
- Trouble sleeping in general
- Intolerant to some foods
- Extreme food cravings, especially sugar
- Unintentional weight gain or loss
- Frequent skin irritations
- Migraines
- Autoimmune problems
- Frequent mood changes
As already stated, good gut health is increasingly linked to overall health and well-being, so it’s essential to be mindful of signs that can indicate a problem.
If you’re experiencing frequent episodes of any of these above symptoms, it could be your body attempting to tell you something isn’t quite right with your gut. Paying close attention to signs such as these will allow you to take proactive steps in restoring good gut health.
Remember to always consult with a professional healthcare provider first. This article is meant for entertainment purposes only.
Healthy ways to strengthen your immune system
Here are a few tips on how to strengthen your immune system:
- Don’t smoke
- Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation or quit
- Get adequate sleep
- Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly
- Keep current with all recommended vaccines. Vaccines prime your immune system to fight off infections before they take hold in your body
- Try to minimize stress. Stress can weaken your immune system’s ability to fight off infection
Additionally, there are several supplements that can help support your immune system and aid in resetting it, such as vitamins C, D and E, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics and ginger. And, of course, always make sure to consult with your doctor before taking any new supplement or altering your diet.
How to reset your immune system
When it comes to resetting your immune system, the steps outlined above should be part of a long-term lifestyle shift. With a holistic approach that includes lifestyle changes as well as supplements, you should be able to reset your immune system for optimal balance and health.
~ Good luck!
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