5 research driven Ways to boost immunity with your pets!

1) Take a hike!:

​That’s right, collect your pets and go off and venture in the forest somewhere, it is proven that plants improve air quality, they also lower background noise and create an overall sense of well being. I also get my most creative thoughts when I am out on a hiking adventure, or in nature somewhere.
In a research study paper published in September 16, 2015 by University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences titled, ‘Immune system may be pathway between nature and good health’, the summary of the article states:
 
“Spending time in nature provides protections against a startling range of diseases, including depression, diabetes, obesity, ADHD, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and many more, research shows. How this exposure to green space leads to better health has remained a mystery. After reviewing hundreds of studies examining nature's effects on health, an environment and behavior researcher believes the answer lies in nature's ability to enhance the functioning of the body's immune system.”.
I conquer.
 Other than getting more oxygen into your system, exercise releases endorphins (the feel-good hormones), because no body every felt bad coming in from a refreshing stroll outside. 

2) Have a sense of humor:

​It is no secret that I have a German Shepherd and we both participate in a canine sport called Schutzhund, a very serious sport actually. This sport is to test a dog’s nerve, courage, and obedience.
But let me tell you, my dog is like me, he likes to learn but he also likes to have fun! I used to always get so frustrated when we were in front of people and he wasn’t ‘taking it seriously’, in fact, when we were participating in a seminar with a ‘world renowned trainer’ last fall, well lets just say, he made everyone laugh, when I stuck my foot out in front of him so we wouldn’t come forward after a command he wrapped his front legs around my foot!
It is good to lighten up, and honestly, to just go with the flow. I realized that I was trying to turn my dog into a robot, and unfortunately I have seen what this sport can do to dogs and let me just say- I am so glad my dog is still who he is and I would NEVER change that for the world!
Having a sense of humor in no matter what you are doing can not only lighten your mood, but it is also no secret that happy people live longer!

​A study from the UK that followed 3800 people from ages 52 to 79 for 5 years showed that older people who said they were happy were actually less likely to die over a five-year period. The happier they were, the longer they lived!
Overall, the results showed that older people who reported feeling happiest had a 35% lower risk of dying during the study than those who were least happy.
 

3) Get a treatment:

Whether you book an appointment for a chiropractor or an osteopath or massage both you and your pet will reap the immune enhancing benefits of such treatments!When there are subluxations (compression of nerve pathways) in the body, we call that interrupted pathways of healing, meaning there is a blockage that must be removed so the body’s normal pathways can flow. Our immune system functions optimally when things are flowing and releasing properly in the body as they should, blockage free.
Also, let’s not forget, the feel-good hormones (endorphins) released after such treatments. As an Equine Massage Therapist, I can see the difference between before and after treatments.
Jesse from Birch Animal Wellness offers an array of therapies for pets and is lovely to deal with.

​A 2013 research study paper claimed that receiving relaxing treatments like massages benefited the immune system by decreasing cortisol (a stress hormone) and vasopressin, a hormone believed to play a role in aggressive behavior, according to the researchers.

Can't afford any of those treatments right now? No problem, even just simply being with your pet and petting them can increase oxytocin levels in your body (and theirs!). Oxytocin is a hormone in our body that reduces stress, it is known as the 'love hormone', it is released when we hug, touch, or look lovingly into someone's eyes.

4) Nutrition:

​I often post pictures such as these on social media, indicating that I eat real food, as do my pets, I receive nutrition from whole foods, so do they.

What I eat/what they eat! #realwholefoods

​According to Pubmed, “Nutrition is a critical determinant of immune responses and malnutrition the most common cause of immunodeficiency worldwide. ... Of the micronutrients, zinc; selenium; iron; copper; vitamins A, C, E, and B-6; and folic acid have important influences on immune responses. Overnutrition and obesity also reduce immunity.”.

Nutrition helps support the building blocks of our immune systems, without it we have nothing.

5) Nutraceuticals:

According to the Issels Immuno-Oncology nutraceuticals are, “Natural bioactive compounds with medicinal properties that are used to promote health and prevent disease. They are sometimes referred to as phytochemicals or functional foods”.
 
I’m just going to say it, sometimes food does not give us enough, sometimes food has been contaminated and bioengineered and sometimes access to certain super foods that are so nutritionally dense can be a challenge. My pets and I rarely eat berries anymore, even though they are top on the ‘superfoods’ list of probably every nutritionist and dietician out there, they are just so heavily sprayed (yes, even organic), berries have such thin skins, they absorb everything, different story with a melon or avocado that have thicker skins (don’t bother buying those organic). Proper supplementation can do wonders for the body including our immune system, mental health, pain relief, treatments, etc.
 
Some human and pet friendly immune enhancing/ modulating supplements that are supported by research are;

• Medicinal mushrooms
• zinc
• Quercetin
• Vitamins A, C, D, E
• B- vitamins
• Colostrum
• Probiotics

 
Always consult with a health care practitioner and/or holistic vet for proper nutraceutical supplementation.