There’s never a good time to be sick, but during the holiday season, illness is especially inconvenient. To ensure that your holidays won’t be ruined with the flu or a bad cold, you need a strong immune system.
Of course, a strong immune system, like strong bones, is important any time of year. In fact, the following three fun, scientifically-proven ways to build your immunity have the additional benefit of building your bones.
Yes, bone-building and immunity are connected…
What Your Immune System Has To Do With Your Bone Health
Many things that nourish your bones also enhance your immune system. For example, several Foundation Foods have nutrients that do “double duty” as bone-builders and immunity-builders. Conversely, some practices, such as the flu shot, can actually harm your bones, your overall health, and add to your body’s toxic burden, all under the guise of immune protection.
When you build up your body’s own defenses, it’s like putting on a suit of armor against illness. That’s why I want to share these three tips for building that protective “suit,” starting with a surprising connection between social behavior and immunity.
1. Socializing Makes For A Stronger Immune System
You may really want to attend more holiday get-togethers this season. According to a fascinating study on personality types and immunity, the more socially-oriented a person is, the better his or her immune system.1 It seems ironic, since socializing exposes you to communicable germs; but it may be this very exposure that builds the immunity of social butterflies. I’ll explain.
The study examined the pro-inflammatory genes in the white blood cells of various personality types. Researchers found that those who engaged in a more extraverted social life actually had increased expression of the pro-inflammatory genes. That basically means that their immune systems were active and “alert,” making them less prone to illness.1
Head researcher Professor Kavita Vedhara notes that the exposure to more infections via socializing stimulates the immune system to “deal effectively with infection.”1
Not only will your body be dealing more effectively with infection if you socialize more; you’ll also be improving your mood and reducing anxiety, both key elements in bone health. That is why Chapter 14 of the Osteoporosis Reversal Program is entitled, “Relax and Have Fun.” Reducing stress and anxiety is crucial for decreasing levels of bone-damaging cortisol in the body. In addition, lifting your mood greatly lessens the likelihood that you’ll turn to anti-depressant drugs, which actually increase the risk of fracture.
2. Listen To Music
It’s amazing how we tend to forget how pleasurable it is to listen to music, especially when we’re very busy. But scientists have discovered a clear connection between listening to music, immunity, and stress reduction.
Dr. Ronny Enk and his research team at the Max Planck Institute in Germany discovered that listening to music actually changes the number of infection-fighting antibodies in our bloodstream. These antibodies are produced by white blood cells, and when we listen to music for about an hour, the body responds by increasing the production of these antibodies.2 Amazing!
What kind of music is best? According to Dr. Enk, it really doesn’t matter what music you listen to as long as it is uplifting and energizing for you personally.
“We’d expect that different kinds of music might show different physiological and immunological effects,” says Dr. Enk. “Not only the music itself is important but probably the personal appraisal of the listener will also be important. We did not use relaxing music, but rather exciting music that were joyful dance tunes from different centuries.”2
And finally, listening to music reduces cortisol, which is a key element in reversing osteoporosis. Cortisol is a steroid-like hormone produced by the adrenal glands in response to stress. Over time, your bones will lose density and strength when exposed to this hormone.
3. Exercise Regularly
It’s no secret that regular exercise offers a plethora of benefits for mind and body. But some interesting research published in the American Journal of Medicine shows a specific, immune system benefit of exercise.
After one year of regular exercise (45 minutes, five days a week), a group of postmenopausal, obese, previously-sedentary women experienced much fewer upper respiratory infections than the control group, which did stretching just once a week.3
The study’s conclusion could not be more evident:
“…1 year of moderate-intensity exercise training can reduce the incidence of colds among postmenopausal women. These findings…add a new facet to the growing literature on the health benefits of moderate exercise.”3
Indeed, The “Literature On The Health Benefits Of Moderate Exercise” Is Growing.
Research shows again and again that the human body is meant to be in motion, and movement stimulates muscle and bone strength. And, as this study shows, it’s also essential for building the immune system. Certainly exercising is a much better way to avoid illness than the toxic flu shot!
So regular exercise is just one more way to boost immunity and simultaneously build your bones. In fact, why not combine all three of these immune-boosting tips? Gather a group to exercise with you to get some social time, and listen to music while you work out!
Take Exercising For Your Bones to the Next Level!
Learn the 52 exercise moves that jumpstart bone-building – all backed by the latest in epigenetics research.
That’s one of the great things about the Densercise™ Epidensity Training System. It is easily tailored to fit your needs, regardless of the location or season. You can invite friends and relatives to Densercise™ with you, and don’t forget to play your favorite songs while you exercise, whether you are by yourself or with others.
Till next time,
References:
1 Vedhara, Kavita, et al. “Personality and gene expression: Do individual differences exist in the leukocyte transcriptome?” Psychoneuroendocrinology. February 2015. Vol. 52, pages 72-82. Web. https://www.psyneuen-journal.com/article/S0306-4530%2814%2900416-8/abstract
2 Sarich, Christina. “Research Links Music To Increased Immunity, Better Mood.” Natural Society. May 13, 2013. Web. https://naturalsociety.com/research-links-music-increased-immunity-better-mood/
3 Chubak, Jessica, et al. “Moderate-Intensity Exercise Reduces the Incidence of Colds Among Postmenopausal Women.” The American Journal of Medicine. November 2006. Volume 119, issue 11, pages 937-942.e5. Web. https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343%2806%2900782-0/abstract
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How To Avoid And Eliminate Neck PainComments on this article are closed.
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Thanks for your newsletters. I really appreciate all your good advice. I’ve had spinal fractures but I’m reluctant to get into medication so Saveourbones has helped me a lot. Especially the advice on sleep postures which I only recently became aware of. It’s encouraging to know that we can do so much for our bone health.
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It really is encouraging, isn’t it? I love the fact that we can take charge of our health and be proactive about it – and sharing that information with others is even better. 🙂
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I follow you Program all the time and it is helping me a
Lot. I am a vegetarian but I learnt what vegetables are
Good for us to eat. I just want to ask you if one has
Allergy of dairy, instead of whey protein which protein
Can she take.
Thanks for all you do
Kala -
What is the best calcium derived from marine algae and where can I purchase it?
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Dear Vivien,
I find that you are wonderful in your experience in field of nutrition for cure of bones and for all what concerns the health and I think that there can be very few in the world at your height. You are wonderful also for your special great humanity . Many many thanks and Merry Christmas from Donatella Torrice, Roma, Italy -
I was diagnosed of osteoporosis. I need to loose weight. Do you have any recommendations on a weight loss program that is safe for people living with that health condition? I am in desperate neez. Thanks.
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Hi Cathy,
While the Osteoporosis Reversal Program is not a weight loss program per se, there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat on the Program that it should be easy to adjust for either weight loss or weight gain. In fact, many Savers have found that their weight stabilizes while on the Program.
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Hello , Thank you so much for sending all these wonderful exercises for me to do, I take it very gently
because of the left arm pain, I wish you a merry
xmas & a safe new year to you Vivian and staff.
From all of us Mrs. Anna Frittitta.
Regards Anna. -
Thanks Vivian for your encouragement as well as the wonderful consistent resources you provide for our benefit. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! to you and all your staff!
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I agree with all three but am really missing exercise right now due to back pain and now hip as well. Only doing moderate physio exercise but try other ones if possible. Do miss my walking,
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Hang in there, Betty! I hope you find a resolution to your pain soon. You should be able to find some exercises that you can do safely – just make sure you check with your doctor or therapist first. You certainly don’t want to hurt yourself!
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What you have said is so very true. I will be86 yrs in Jan. I live alone, I have osteoporosis in my right hip, but I exercise every day,go to a class once a week,walk a lot,love listening to music as I do housework,ad love getting out and meeting people.I also eat as healthy as I can. I never take drugs unless it is absolutely vital.
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How inspiring, Isobel!
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I personally have turned around osteoporosis by taking 5000iu of vitamin D 3 per day. I would not take Fosamax as it made me sick as well as reading up literature on it. I had been on Didronel years ago for a few months and also Actonel for a months. It was not until Hyperparathyroid disease was found and dealt with that I started building bone. I went to gym and did light weighs. I have a doctor in UK that does Ecological medicine, he is an MD but changed over to Ecological Medicine and according to blood test results done a special lab in London he tells me how much of each supplement to take. I am writing this as I hope it will be helpful to others. I am as holistic as possible now. I eat as much organic food as I can get and eat things like organic nuts, vegetables I am not vegetarian but am not a big meat eater mainly fish. If I feel the need for something sweet I eat organic dates. I have chosen healthy options. I do not eat bread. I cook with Organic sesame oil. I am now back at gym doing weights after a sports injury – so pleased to be back doing exercise again.
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I have never been on line when this newsletter came out!! 3:00AM Just wanted to say that one could do all three by exercising in a group with music for one hour!!
Hi Vivian, May God continue to bless you and your family as you continue to bless us, and very many others with your love, care, and very important information, and wonderful healthy recipes. I also thank everyone of our friends here, for sharing with us too.