Can you really boost your immune system? Here's what experts say
Newsy
It's not always easy to stay healthy through the winter, but medical professionals offer tips for taking care of yourself.
Colder weather means more time spent indoors and gathering in close quarters with friends and family. Does it also bring on more colds, or is that just a myth? We spoke to a board-certified doctor and physician nutrition specialist and two registered dietitian nutritionists who take a “food-first” approach to wellness to see what they suggest for helping us maintain optimum health during this time of year and year-round.
Seattle-based integrative registered dietitian nutritionist Ginger Hultin, owner of Ginger Hultin Nutrition and author of “Anti-Inflammatory Diet Meal Prep,” said there’s truth to the notion that people tend to get sicker this time of year.
“Potential reasons why include the fact that people spend more time indoors, closer to each other, and there’s evidence that colder air can also affect the healthy microbiome inside the nose, possibly lowering the immune system’s ability to protect against viruses or bacteria when we first encounter them,” Hultin explained.
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