127: Girl, Know Your Immune System! with Carly Stagg, BSN, RN, FNTP
In these crazy health times, you’ve got to know your immune system. You’ve got to understand how awesome God made it. And you’ve got to do all that you can to help it do its job.
In this week’s episode Carly is explaining how things work and giving us prevention and lifestyle strategies (including supplement recommendations).
Now is the perfect time to listen and learn how to optimize your immune function.
EPISODE 127: Girl, Know Your Immune System
Show Notes
(00:00) Intro
(04:24) How the immune system works
3 components/ “layers” a pathogen must pass through
Physical + Chemical Barriers ex: skin, antimicrobial peptides in secretions
Non-Specific ex: immune system “sees” pathogen, sends white blood cells to fight off
Specific ex: “learned” or adaptive immune response
Includes T- cells (cell-mediated)
And B-cells (antibody-mediate)
(10:37) How illness spreads
Contact with infected people, surfaces, air
Different pathogens have different types of transmission
3 basic types
Airborne
Droplet
Contact
(13:30) Pathogen examples
Viruses: not technically living- can’t replicate unless attached to another organism’s cells
Basically, the ultimate freeloader 😂
Bacteria: most are neutral or good; fewer than 1% can cause disease in people, can reproduce on their own
Good bacteria help us digest food, produce essential nutrients in the GI tract through their life cycle (ex: butyrate and vitamin K).
(17:00) Symptoms of sickness- why do they happen?
Because of inflammation, body trying to expel the pathogen
Fevers are due to endogenous compounds called pyrogens that raise body temperature to kill pathogens
(23:35) Is your immune system both SMART and STRONG?
Smart vs. Strong
Smart- Your immune system fights off the RIGHT things.
Strong- Has enough strength to it to pack a PUNCH to target any foreign invaders (pathogens, etc).
We need both components in place.
EX: Strong but not smart: Autoimmune disease or Allergies.
(26:01): Sleep and Circadian Rhythm
Wake up with sun; go to sleep when it’s dark.
Sunlight in your eyes in the morning
Goal is to be connected to the Earth and to God’s rhythm for our lives
(28:40) Breath, Dental Health and Oral Hygiene
Oil pulling with ozonated coconut oil
(34:09) Nutrition
Balance blood sugar and insulin levels
High blood sugar causes dysfunctional immune response
Focus on easy to digest foods.
Carly likes to avoid cold, sweet, “damp” foods while sick- cold/raw foods, dairy, peanuts, sugar/sweets per TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).
(44:30): Supplement Support
Grab recommended supplements here.
Vitamin C- Antioxidant and fuel for immune cells
Vitamin C and immune function (2009). Strohle, A. & Hahn, A.
Suggested Brands
Pure Radiance Vitamin C
Vitamin Code Raw Vitamin C
Vitamin D- Immune system balancer
Immune modulatory effects of vitamin D on viral infections (2020). Siddiqui et al.
Combine D3 with Vitamin K2 for optimal absorption.
Suggested Brands
Seeking Health K2/D3
Zinc/Quercetin
We like this zinc & quercetin combination along with complementary microbiome tea and tincture (see below).
Quercetin is a zinc ionophore which means it opens up the cell channel to allow zinc inside the cell to fight viruses.
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
Why take NAC versus glutathione?
NAC is a precursor to glutathione (body’s main antioxidant) and also disrupts bacterial biofilms.
Best on empty stomach (if taken with food will assist in digestion; if taken without food, more likely to be used for anti-inflammatory/biofilm-busting effects.)
Bacterial biofilm as an invisibility cloak
(66:37): Anchor Questions
Isaiah 41:10 “Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear– for I am your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”
Other Resources
Thanks for listening! Have a healthy and blessed week!