Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Overindulging in alcohol can negatively impact your immune system, leaving you at risk for developing colds, viruses or worse. Learn about how alcohol can suppress immune responses from Amanda Williams, MPH.
The mineral magnesium performs hundreds of functions within the body. It is important for sleep, bones, immunity and more. Recent studies have continued to look at the benefits of this mineral in the human body.
shingles
InViteⓇ Health Podcast, Episode hosted by Jerry Hickey, Ph.
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If you suffered with chickenpox as a kid, it can come back to haunt you later in life as shingles.†
According to research, approximately 99% of adults over the age of 40 have had chickenpox. This virus remains in your body in a dormant state, but it can be reactivated at any time and the risk of reactivating it increases with age, as your immune system naturally declines. Anybody who has had chickenpox is at risk for developing shingles. In the United States, one out of three people will eventually develop shingles. That’s an estimated yearly rate of one million people.†
Shingles presents as a painful rash with many blisters that typically occur on one side of the body. The blisters will typically scab over in seven to ten days and they typically clear up fully within two to four weeks. Its biggest complication is severe, long-lasting nerve pain known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). It can also cause scarring. If you develop these issues around your eyes, it may impact your eye health.†
There are natural things that can help with the pain and symptoms of shingles. My number one go-to supplement for people with nerve pain of any stripe is Alcar with ALA. There are many studies indicating that these nutrients can help people with nerve pain related to issues such as diabetes, back issues and more.†
DIABETIC NEUROPATHY BASICS – INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 352. Listen Now>>
B vitamins are also helpful for nerve pain. If you get the active forms of B12, folic acid and B6, these are great for nerve pain. These can be found in our Methyl-B formulation. There’s a fatty soluble form of Vitamin B1 called benfotiamine that can also be helpful.†
These supplements can help with nerve pain, but they are also beneficial for supporting brain health, energy levels and more.†
In this episode, Jerry Hickey, Ph. explains what shingles is, what causes it and how it presents itself. He also offers recommendations for nutrients that can help your body fend off nerve pain.†
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Thank you for tuning in to the Invite Health Podcast. You can find all of our episodes for free wherever you listen to podcasts or by visiting www.invitehealth.com/podcast. Make sure you subscribe and leave us a review! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at Invite Health today. We’ll see you next time on another episode of the Invite Health Podcast.
You’ve probably heard of the microbiome and good bacteria before, but do you know what role they play in your body? Learn about how your microbiome impacts digestion, immunity, skin health and so much more from Amanda Williams, MPH.
Have you been taking care of your immune system? There are important nutrients that the body needs to properly defend itself from invading cells. Learn about the factors that can help or harm the immune system.
immune system
Invite Health Podcast, Episode hosted by Jerry Hickey, Ph.
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Our immune system has many jobs. Right at the peak of all of those jobs is protecting you from the outside world. The immune system is designed so it can find and kill foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. When it’s working well, your immune system is strong enough to prevent you from getting sick when you’re exposed to germs. But there are many factors that impact your body’s immunity.†
About 70% of your immune cells come in contact with your digestive tract, so the shape of your microbiome can impact the way your body defends itself. The microbiome refers to all of the organisms that live with us and use us as their home. Most of this is bacteria, but there is also yeast and viruses. These visitors outnumber us manyfold.†
The organisms in our microbiome certainly impact our health. For instance, when there’s an imbalance in bacteria on the scalp, you experience dandruff. You have to take care of the multitude of organisms that live in your intestines because they are the easiest to shape. This, in turn, will impact the bacteria on your skin, in your lungs, in your bloodstream and elsewhere.†
There are good strains of bacteria as well as bad strains. When there is an excess of bad strains, this can cause inflammation or infections. On the other hand, studies have found that good strains of probiotic bacteria can help promote good immune system function to help fight off viruses and colds, even in very elderly people. These good bacteria help contain the bad ones and calm the immune system, helping to fend off allergies, bacteria, viruses and other harmful cells. You can promote the health of your microbiome by following a good, nutrient-rich diet like the Mediterranean diet, eating some fermented foods and taking a probiotic supplement.†
THE BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS FOR ALLERGIES – INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 124. Listen Now>>
Your sleep cycle is very important. You have an internal clock called the circadian rhythm. It is controlled by the hypothalamus, which is found in the back of the brain. Your sleep cycle can be thrown off if you go to bed at all different times, drinking alcohol and exercising too late at night.†
Sleep is important because it gives your immune system a chance to recharge. Then, in the morning, when you’re waking up, your immune system needs to be more active because you are often in public and around more people and possible contaminants. When your sleep cycle is inappropriate, the immune system gets muddled and it may become active at the wrong time, making it easier to catch bacteria or viruses.†
SLEEP IS SLEEP, RIGHT? WRONG! – INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 342. Listen Now>>
There are nutrients found in food that can help promote our body’s ability to defend itself. Curry, for instance, has turmeric, which is rich in alkylamines. Alkylamines look like the outside of the virus, so this helps to wake up and activate the immune system. Green tea is also beneficial because it contains polyphenols called catechins. These catechins are also alkylamines. Green tea can also help to weaken viruses and mobilize certain immune cells. Mushrooms are also beneficial as they contain ergothioneine, which is arguably the most powerful natural antioxidant known to science. They also have Vitamin D and beta 1,3 glucan that help adjust the immune system.†
In this episode, Jerry Hickey, Ph. explains multiple factors that impact the body’s ability to defend itself from invading bacteria, viruses and more. He details the importance of taking care of your digestive tract, getting good quality sleep and eating the right foods. Tune in tomorrow for part 2 of this podcast!†
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Thank you for tuning in to the Invite Health Podcast. You can find all of our episodes for free wherever you listen to podcasts or by visiting www.invitehealth.com/podcast. Make sure you subscribe and leave us a review! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at Invite Health today. We’ll see you next time on another episode of the Invite Health Podcast.