Enhance Your Body's Defense Mechanism Using Four Easy Methods
In a recent interview, preventive medicine physician and wellness expert Dr. Sandra Darling, DO, shared her top tips for staying healthy. Here's a summary of her advice:
Dr. Darling emphasises the importance of focusing on food as a strategy for boosting immunity. She recommends incorporating prebiotics into your diet, as they are beneficial for maintaining healthy gut bacteria. Inulin fiber, a type of prebiotic, can be found in sources such as Jerusalem artichokes, green bananas or plantains, Jicama root, and asparagus.
Vitamin C is another essential nutrient for a strong immune system. Dr. Darling suggests eating kiwi, oranges, broccoli, or cantaloupe for a natural source of vitamin C. Interestingly, a study found that older adults who ate kiwi every day for a month had a significant decrease in the severity and duration of upper respiratory infection symptoms.
Dr. Darling also highlights the role of antioxidants in protecting against oxidative stress, which can lead to immune suppression. Colorful fruits and vegetables such as berries, carrots, and spinach are rich in antioxidants.
In addition to a balanced diet, Dr. Darling recommends getting adequate sleep, especially deep sleep, which supports immune function and body repair. Regular physical activity is also important, as it helps regulate immune responses.
Lastly, Dr. Darling advises on basic measures to stay healthy, such as washing hands for 20 seconds, avoiding touching the face, and taking social distancing seriously.
While specific guidance from Dr. Darling on immunity advice may not be found in the search results, general expert-recommended tips typically include stress management to avoid immune suppression, staying hydrated, and practicing good hygiene.
For more detailed or personalised recommendations attributed to Dr. Sandra Darling, it may be necessary to consult her official publications, interviews, or direct sources. Garlic, for instance, is another food Dr. Darling mentions, as it has a compound called allicin that boosts the immune system.
- Dr. Sandra Darling suggests eating foods rich in prebiotics, like Jerusalem artichokes and asparagus, to maintain healthy gut bacteria and boost immunity.
- For a natural source of vitamin C, Dr. Darling recommends eating kiwi, oranges, broccoli, or cantaloupe to strengthen the immune system.
- Antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting the immune system against oxidative stress, according to Dr. Darling, and can be found in colorful fruits and vegetables like berries, carrots, and spinach.
- Besides a balanced diet, Dr. Darling advises adequate sleep, regular physical activity, stress management, good hygiene, and taking social distancing seriously for overall health and wellness.
