Show 1057: How Can You Improve Your Immune Response?

In this season of colds and flu viruses, do you know how to improve your immune response and lower your susceptibility? Dr. Tieraona Low Dog discusses a wide range of natural approaches to improving your immunity, from simple steps like getting enough sleep to exotic herbs like ashwagandha, from the Ayurvedic tradition.

Cooking with Herbs Every Day:

We also discuss the role that other Ayurvedic herbs such as turmeric could play in reducing the chance of developing dementia. Indian herbs are not the only ones with the potential to improve our health. Dr. Low Dog believes that consistent use of culinary herbs typical of Mediterranean cuisine such as basil, thyme and rosemary as well as those found in other food traditions, from South Asia to South America, could help improve our cardiovascular and neurological health. Daily consumption of herbs could even help improve our immune response.

Health Care Controversies:

We invited Dr. Low Dog to share her perspective on some current controversies in medicine. She offers her take on the use of statins, the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorders and the benefits of nutritional supplements.

This Week's Guest:

Tieraona Low Dog, MD, is Fellowship Director of the Interprofessional Fellowship in Integrative Health & Medicine with the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine. She is an internationally recognized expert in the fields of integrative medicine, dietary supplements, herbal medicine and women’s health.

She is a founding member of the American Board of Physician Specialties, American Board of Integrative Medicine and the Academy of Women’s Health. She has served as Chair of the US Pharmacopeia Dietary Supplements/Botanicals Expert Committee and was appointed to the Scientific Advisory Council for the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Her books include: Women’s Health in Complementary and Integrative Medicine; Life Is Your Best Medicine; and Healthy at Home. Her latest is Fortify Your Life: Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and More. For more information, see her website: drlowdog.com