Every year it seems I go through the same cycle of living a intensely healthy active lifestyle, feeling invincible and then ultimately getting sick. As I'm suffering from yet another respiratory infection today I've decided to step back and examine this. What am I missing? Is there some superfood out there that I'm not already adding to my smoothies that promises to boost my immune system? Is there another breathing technique that I'm not already making time out of my day to practice like the Wim Hof Method or Tummo? Is a plant-based diet not the best diet for me? Is there a stretch, a yoga move I need to know about. Sign me up!
Interesting enough there might be a way to combat this. Taking 3/4 of a tablespoon of nutritional yeast after excessive bouts of exercise has shown to increase the bodies white blood cell count and help preserve immune function. Even though the body sees the yeast as a foreign substance and triggers the immune system there is no unwanted inflammatory response to it. Amazingly enough, studies have shown an anti-inflammatory response. Nutritional Yeast by the way taste great on anything you want to give a cheesy flavor to.. soup, salads, pizza, nachos, etc..
After I'm up and running again I will for sure be incorporating this into my post workout meals in the future... and maybe take it a little easier when I feel like putting that cape and tights on again.