Why do I get sick so often? 5 reasons and how to fix them
If you or someone you know frequently experiences the following symptoms, this content is for you:
- Allergies
- Fatigue
- Migraines or headaches
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
- Respiratory symptoms like nasal congestion, cold symptoms, sore throat, flu or colds
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
We invite you to read this article so you can take action!
5 Reasons Why You Get Sick So Often and How to Fix It
1. Poor diet
It may seem obvious to think of food as medicine because of the nutrients it contains. But this is only true (or possible) if you can properly digest the food you consume daily in order to absorb its nutrients.
If you eat foods you can’t digest, your immune system—70% of which resides in your gut—will identify them as enemy foods. Inflammation then occurs to try to neutralize them, and if this happens constantly, your gut becomes permeable, allowing these antinutrients and toxins to enter various parts of your body.
That’s why Hippocrates said: “All disease begins in the gut.”
These enemy foods are common in modern diets and include:
- Foods high in sugar
- Foods high in trans fats
- Processed foods
But not enough attention is paid to other staples of the standard American diet, such as:
- Grains and derivatives: due to their gluten content
- Dairy and derivatives: not just because of lactose, but also casein
- Sugars: because they spike and dysregulate your glucose and insulin levels and feed harmful gut microbes
- Non-fermented soy
- Processed foods
Do you know of any other enemy foods for you?
[Related: Chronic Inflammation: Symptoms, Causes, and How to Fight It]
2. Mental health issues
You probably think that psychological stress and anxiety trigger your symptoms, illnesses, or even autoimmune disorders. And it’s true—this is one of the burdens you can learn to manage to restore your health. But what if we told you it might be the other way around?
Yes! When you consume enemy foods that are hard to digest—like those mentioned above—or ones you’re particularly sensitive to, you inflame and permeate your gut. Your body identifies this reaction as a threat. It’s like being under stress or facing danger, which also increases cortisol, leading to feelings of depression and anxiety, while also weakening your immune system and creating a vicious cycle.
Have you noticed that when you eat heavy meals, your anxiety increases?
3. Lack of sleep
Lack of sleep can also raise your cortisol levels and worsen anxiety or mood. But going back to your diet—if it’s hard to digest or you eat late at night and digestion is slow and heavy—you won’t sleep well either!
It’s important to establish a routine:
- Always apply the 3R Protocol to your last meal and throughout the day to reduce inflammation and stress levels
- Take Epsom salt baths 4 hours before bed
- Eat your last meal at the same time each night, at least 3 hours before bed
- Leave at least 12–13 hours between your last meal and your first meal the next day to allow for digestive rest
- Go to bed at the same time every night
Have you noticed that poor eating habits lead to insomnia?
4. Little physical activity
Several studies have shown that physical activity improves gut microbiota, enhances your mood, and strengthens your immune system (Villegas García, 2014).
Do you know what kind of exercise benefits your microbiota?
5. Poor or excessive hygiene
Everything in balance! Hygiene is important to avoid overgrowth or infectious diseases from pathogens that can disrupt your immune system. But too much can strip protective microbiota from your skin, for example.
How many times a day do you wash your hands?
So… what can you do to manage these factors?
Remove them through Immunonutrition! In addition to seeking medical care when you need it, we also recommend booking a consultation with a nutritionist to strengthen your immune system—someone who can guide not just your diet, but your overall lifestyle.
Remember, nutrition—and more specifically, Immunonutrition—is not about calories, but about specific nutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, micronutrients, and even fats.
These nutrients can help you reach your ideal weight, whether you’re over or under, prevent heart and metabolic diseases, and regulate your immune system to prevent autoimmune disorders as well.
Through your personalized 3R Immunonutrition Protocol in your NutriWhite Consultation, you’ll be able to specifically adjust which key nutrients you need to replenish so you can say: “Goodbye, illness!”
References:
Dyall Simon. (2015) Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and the brain: a review of the independent and shared effects of EPA, DPA and DHA. Front Aging Neurosci. 2015; 7: 52. Disponible en línea: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4404917/
C.M.C. Nascimento y col (2015) Efectos del ejercicio físico y pautas básicas para su prescripción en la enfermedad de Alzheimer. Efectos del ejercicio físico y pautas básicas para su prescripción en la enfermedad de Alzheimer - ScienceDirect
Bath, et all. (2015). Effect of inadequate iodine status in UK pregnant women on cognitive outcomes in their children: results from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). The Lancet. Volume 382, No. 9889, p331–337, 27 July 2013. Disponible en línea: Effect of inadequate iodine status in UK pregnant women on cognitive outcomes in their children: results from the Avon
The Doctor's Farmacy with Dr. Shebani Sethi Dalai How Does Ultra-Processed Food Affect Our Mental Health?
Prevalencia de migraña y su relación con la ingesta de alimentos. Sofía Manca, 2011
Fisiopatología de la migraña: Teoría vascular, ¿Cierta o no? David Benavides, 2018
NutriWhite Editorial Team
