(THE NOURISHED EPICUREAN ) Kathryn Matthews , October 12, 2017 — Fall is officially here. As we transition deeper into the season, our “back-to-school” schedule quickly fills with projects, people and places. How can we keep pace with our work and social obligations without falling prey to long-lingering colds or the flu this fall?

By doing an autumn detox.

If you’ve been experiencing post-nasal drip, crusty eyes, a runny nose, cough, sore throat, allergies (ragweed and mold), fatigue, sluggishness, or digestive distress (bloating, gas, constipation, acid reflux), your body will benefit from a fall cleanse.

Why? Because the key to boosting immunity is to optimize digestive health.

How your immune system protects you

Your immune system is a complex system of specialized cells (including a network of white blood cells throughout your body) and organs—and their signaling patterns—that act as a your personal bodyguard.  In addition to fighting off bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and other foreign invaders, your immune system also affects many other systems in your body, from your hormones, to your nervous system.

Your skin is the first line of defense. Pathogens also commonly enter the body through mucosal surfaces—such as the lungs, upper airways and the digestive tract—which your immune system vigilantly defends.¹

A healthy immune system recognizes and responds to danger cues, like unhealthy cells with danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMP).²  A weakened immune system—one that fails to activate or to respond sufficiently in the presence of pathogens—leaves the body vulnerable to infection.  On the other hand, an overactive immune system that never “turns off”—even after danger has passed, or in the absence of a real threat—manifests as allergic reactions or autoimmune disease, where the immune system mistakenly identifies—then attacks—healthy cells as “foreign invaders”.³

Source: 9 Fall Detox Tips to Boost Immunity – the nourished epicurean