Bottom Line: Believe it or not, getting sick is a body signal that your immune system is working! Yes, you read that correctly. Every single day you encounter bacteria that could make you sick. Fortunately, when you come into contact with these germs, your immune system kicks in and starts fighting them off without you ever knowing. On rare occasions, when your immune system isn’t functioning at 100%, your body will give you a signal- like a fever or a runny nose, that sickness may be on the way. But, what if there was research showcasing how you could make a few simple changes and not only decrease your likelihood of getting sick, but also strengthen your immune system?

Why it Matters: You probably know someone who almost never gets sick. Are they built with a superhuman immune system? Probably not. Most people who rarely get sick are taking pro-active steps to keep their immune system in tip-top shape. And when your immune system is functioning correctly- it can fight off almost anything that it comes in contact with. By making smart choices with your diet, staying active, and getting enough rest, you can ensure your immune system remains strong. Also, emerging research has shown that chiropractic adjustments can also improve our ability to stay well!

QUICK TIPS

• Eat a healthy diet of vegetables and lean meats to boost your immune system
• Exercise daily to help your body (and mind) stay strong
• Stay well adjusted to decrease stress and improve your overall well-being
• Take time everyday for mental ‘self-care’ (journalling, meditation, walking,

February is the perfect time of year to take a few action steps and boost your immune system. A robust immune system will help you stay healthy and active, enjoying the things you love with the people you love.  And don’t forget to attend our upcoming health workshop where we will give you a custom-tailored plan to boost your immunity in 21 days!

Science Source:

Omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and autoimmune diseases. The Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Dec 2002

Medline Plus. Exercise and Immunity. 2017

Glucose Metabolic Changes in the Brain and Muscles of Patients with Nonspecific Neck Pain Treated by Spinal Manipulation Therapy. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2017

After seeking chiropractic help in her twenty’s for the usual (and expected –or so I thought) lower back issues that go with horseback riding, she experienced a new level of health. Not only has she made chiropractic a regular part of her life but she has made a commitment to changing her lifestyle and coaches others how to do the same. She is an avid outdoors person. You can find her walking her beagle, biking, painting and drinking great coffee. Her true passion is riding horses and has been a competitive rider/jumper for years.

Prolonged stress, long travel and maybe just one too many fruitcakes can all contribute to the dreaded holiday hangover.

Most of us have been there.  I find it odd that I can actually feel hungry the next day after binging on turkey dinner the night before.

How about you?

Well, with the New Year comes a new opportunity to get healthier, lose those extra pounds, and overcome the holiday hangover.  How we eat plays a huge role in our weight and our energy levels. When you have a low energy level, it’s difficult to get the motivation to stay active and exercise. However, when you give your body the proper nutrition, you can have more energy, lose more weight, and stay more active. So instead of focusing on the foods, you shouldn’t eat, let’s highlight a few foods and supplements that can help you stay active, energize, and get ready to shed those pounds.

Why it Matters:

For healthy foods to give you an energy boost, it’s all about eating the right ones at the right time. Eating small meals and snacking throughout the day is a great way to keep your body fueled and your energy levels high.

Eating well is critical to getting rid of the holiday hangover

• Here are a few high energy foods (without that sugar crash):  blueberries, strawberries, salmon, lean meats, nuts, whole grains, vegetables.
• Supplements such as fish oil and probiotics can help you reduce inflammation and keep your gut healthy and happy.
• Focus on having protein at every meal.
• Stop mixing fats and carbs or protein and carbs.  Fats and proteins.  Carbs on their own.
• Eat a handful of nuts once a day.

Next Steps – Hangover Cure:

Start by eating a few small meals per day and snacking every few hours in-between. This will help keep your energy up throughout the day. You’ll feel better, think better, and be more motivated to stick with your exercise routine. The New Year is a great time to improve your health, get a little extra motivation and even lose a few pounds in the process!

Science Source:

Harvard Health Publishing. 2017

Brain foods: the effects of nutrients on brain function. Nat Rev NeuroSci. 2008

Dr. Craig Hazel’s mission is to help families THRIVE. After graduating from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education, he went on to earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and a Bachelor of Science in Anatomy from Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas Texas. He is passionate about seeing children and families in his private practice at Synergy Chiropractic in Kanata Ontario. A sought after speaker, he has been featured regularly on TSN Team 1200, CTV and Rogers TV. He is also the Chairman of the Alliance for Chiropractic of Ontario.

I rarely get the flu. This morning however, Facebook reminded me that 7 years ago I had to miss receiving my Master’s diploma thanks to a flu. A flu so bad that I passed out in my hallway and fell against my bedroom door handle, leaving a gash on my forehead. I went to the doctor to see what they could do, only to fall asleep while waiting. Depleted of all possible energy, I couldn’t eat or drink and all I did was sleep for days. The worst part was my parents also had it so as much as I knew they wouldn’t make it to my graduation, I held out hope for myself until right before I had to leave, then I conceded defeat.

If you know me now, this probably seems completely out of character because I rarely get sick. The reason for that is that I’ve been under Chiropractic care for 9 years now and I take care of my immune system in order to ward off the year’s colds and flu. I know what to do to ensure that I don’t miss anymore important events in life. This was the last time I was really sick. That is, until October 1, 2016. Earlier this month, I

Ward off the flu with these simple tips

came down with an intense cold that lingered for a week, then just as that was finishing up, I got hit with a nasty flu for another week! Two weeks of ugh.

I know what you’re thinking. “Um don’t you tell people how not to get sick?” We do. But we’re also human and we make mistakes. My mistake was allowing my immune system to weaken. How did I do that? I let stress get the better of me. Mental and emotional stress can have a direct effect on the physical body. As soon as I allowed myself to succumb to the stress I was experiencing, my immune system weakened and altered my state from defensive to defenseless. To make matters worse, instead of doing what I could to nip it in the bud, I gave in to my lack of willpower and it lingered for longer than it should have.

So what did I do wrong and how can you avoid getting the flu?