How can you strengthen your immune system by strengthening your lungs?

According to Traditional Chinese medicine, the body’s defensive energy is directly dependent on the strength of the lungs. The job of the lungs is not just about breathing in and out, but also to help the circulation of blood; which is considered the body’s defensive layer against outside pathogenic factors (i.e. viruses).

In the lung’s most healthy state, immunity is strong, recovery from illness is quick and effective, skin is hydrated and the complexion is bright and fresh. Body posture is another physical expression of the state of the lungs, so a strong posture shows healthy lung energy.

If the lung’s health is weak, it will present as low energy and a poor immune system. Breathing may be shallow, and skin may appear unhealthy because energy and blood circulation may be weak. Emotionally, the dysfunction of lung energy can show up as grief and sadness.

Here are some of the ways that you can strengthen your lungs and ultimately your respiratory system:

Deep Breathing
By far the best way to strengthen the lungs is with deep breathing (or diaphragmatic breathing). Diaphragm breathing isn’t complicated, but you’d be surprised at how many people don’t do it; it’s consciously breathing deep into the belly (rather than just chest) on a regular basis. Deep breathing also helps to reduce stress and detoxify the body.

Eating the Right Foods
The best way to support the lungs is eating foods that are easier to digest. This could be leafy greens, fresh organic vegetables with sprouted seeds and grains. Other foods can include, clean white foods (cauliflower and potatoes), turnips, parsnips, almonds, daikon, apples, pears, rice, oats, sesame seeds, onion, garlic and white peppercorns. Be sure to also include plenty of warm foods and drinks in your diet as well.

Exercise Regularly
Exercise forces the muscles to work harder, which increases the body’s breathing rate, resulting in a greater supply of oxygen to the muscles. It also improves circulation, making the body more efficient in removing the excess carbon dioxide that the body produces when exercising. You can start off small by doing easy at-home workouts to get the heart pumping and get more oxygen in your system.

These tips were recently featured in an e-mail newsletter Nourishing Life Wellness, article, “How can you strenghten your immune system by strengthening your lungs”, Dr. Khanh Nyguen