Being protected against an illness is a health goal emphasized by some of our integrative functional medicine Toronto patients.  

So, with the help of lifestyle modifications, integrative therapies, and supportive tools, like IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC), you can take steps to improve your well-being, which could lower your susceptibility to illness. This may involve improving your current lifestyle with nutrients, which may not only affect immunity, but also other aspects of health, such as daily energy levels and mood.  

In our private clinic, we provide health support using integrative medicine strategies. This means a wide variety of modalities are adapted for your personal needs, such as individualized nutraceutical protocols, medications, or acupuncture with intravenous therapy drips. In fact, oral supplementation and/or IV drips may be advised as adjunctive therapy for fixing nutritional deficiencies, improving energy levels, and for addressing other health concerns.  

For this blog post, the TFMC discusses how the immune system works and how functional medicine can help maximize your overall winter wellness. We also highlight some key nutrients that could help fortify your defenses for the season. 

What does your immune system do?

Optimizing your body’s functionality can help you survive germs that may hinder cellular functioning. Elevating your overall wellness is important for combatting and removing dangerous components from the body, such as pathogens that can instigate seasonal infections. Keep in mind, though, there are factors that can increase your vulnerability to disease, bacterial and viral illnesses. These include: 

• • Lack of energy/sleep and low physical activity
  • Chronic stress
  • Vitamin D deficiency
  • Certain medications
  • Poor diet of processed foods or high-fat items
  • Excessive substance use (i.e. alcohol, nicotine, etc.)

It should be noted that the body’s capacity to combat illnesses can lessen as we age; in turn, it can leave us vulnerable to other health concerns, such as heart disease or other chronic conditions. Some studies have concluded that certain populations (i.e. the elderly) tend to have high likelihoods of catching infections – and this can come with harmful consequences. 

But by implementing practical strategies with a customized, proactive, long-term health plan, you may reduce the chances of falling ill, while promoting general health benefits.  

How functional medicine works

Individuality is embraced by the functional medicine model. By knowing your unique constituents (i.e. comprehensive health history, environmental/lifestyle factors, nutritional deficiencies, etc.), an integrative functional medicine clinic like ours can diagnose, treat, and potentially prevent a chronic illness down the road. This requires drafting a custom program for your health needs, which is something the TFMC can offer.

To help maximize your winter wellness, we may ask you to get functional lab tests completed. These can help us dissect your current health issues, while pinpointing shortcomings that need to be treated for optimal health. For example, we can conduct a personalized nutritional assessment, which is a non-invasive test that measures for specific biomarkers. The results can help us determine if your body requires additional nutrients, such as B vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, and more. 

After analyzing core test results and your whole health background, we customize your treatments. Depending on lab results and the state of your current health conditions, we can suggest comprehensive health restoration approaches to enhance immune function and promote overall well-being. Below are samples of supplementation tips we may provide for maximizing winter wellness:

Herbal medicines: There are herbs with antimicrobial properties, such as black turmeric (curcuma caesia). It’s been suggested by lab studies that this herb can help inhibit the growth of some bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Some scientists propose that black turmeric could be amalgamated into traditional medicine treatments for sustaining immune function and helping alleviate current infections. 

Oral nutrients: To foster bodily defenses against seasonal immune challenges, some oral nutrients can be considered. We may suggest beta-glucans, which are polysaccharides naturally found in rye and barley. They’re known as soluble fibers found in the cell walls of fungi and can act as immunomodulators, stimulating immune cells. 

Adjunctive IV therapy support: IV therapy drips assure you get a full absorption of nutrients related to general wellness. If you were to visit a TFMC functional medicine practitioner, they may advise on these nutrients (among others) for an immune-related IV drip:

• • Vitamin C: Known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that shields your cellular health; in particular, it protects the body against ROS (reactive oxygen species), which are chemicals that can form from excessive inflammation.
  • Glutathione: Made up of glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine, glutathione can prevent the development of free radicals and encourage detoxification.   
  • Selenium: This is a mineral known for supporting white blood cell formation, which are cells needed to ward off infections. Some lab studies have alluded that selenium could help prevent bacterial infections.

Our personalized integrative medicine services may include supportive intravenous drips, which are administered in our IV Lounge. We can also instruct you on how to take supplements orally (i.e. liquid format, capsules, etc.). Keep reading to learn about our functional medicine therapies and how to reach us.  

Tailoring treatment plans at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC)

Custom therapies from the TFMC are uniquely designed for your biological needs. This is how our treatments can help replenish the body with nutrients, regulate inflammation, alleviate hormone imbalances, and nurture cellular function. 

If low energy levels, digestive issues, chronic pain, and wonky blood sugar levels are affecting you, please speak to one of our health practitioners. We can discuss functional medicine testing, which can give us a glimpse into factors that may be impeding cognitive function, adrenal hormones, athletic performance, and immune health. 

Suggested Reading: Chronic Pain Support With Functional Medicine in Toronto

A personalized treatment service with integrated therapies – such as conventional medicine (Western medicine), naturopathic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, IV nutrient therapy, bioidentical hormones, and more – could offer surprising health benefits. In fact, we offer these modalities inside the TFMC! When combined with a balanced lifestyle and other functional medicine therapies, our IV therapies and supplement recommendations could assist with optimal functioning. 

Be proactive this winter with a personalized approach to your health! The TFMC can tailor your health tips, lifestyle modifications and more using integrated health care. Our downtown clinic is accepting new functional medicine Toronto patients – contact us to request your initial appointment. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

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“How to boost your immune system” from Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, published February 15, 2021, viewed on August 29, 2023. 

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