#285 - Immune health explained: Inflammation, white blood cells, and resilience | Dr. Sharon Bergquist & Mike Haney

Your immune system isn’t just about fighting infections—it’s a mirror of your overall metabolic health.

In this episode of A Whole New Level, Dr. Sharon Bergquist, physician and Director of Emory’s Healthy Aging and Resilient Aging Center, joins Mike Haney to unpack the science of immune resilience—how chronic inflammation, white blood cell patterns, and metabolism intertwine to shape long-term health.

Dr. Bergquist explains why inflammation isn’t always bad, how the immune system ages, and what you can do daily to build resilience.

They discuss:

• The link between metabolic dysfunction and chronic low-grade inflammation
• How white blood cell counts reveal immune status and stress levels
• Why gut and liver health are central to immune balance
• Practical habits that calm inflammation and support immune recovery
• What it really means to have a “resilient” immune system

Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl

🎙 What Dr. Sharon Bergquist & Mike Haney discuss:

[3:24] — How inflammation protects—and harms—your body

[10:11] — Why immune health depends on metabolism

[17:42] — White blood cells as a window into immune function

[24:38] — How the gut and liver shape immunity

[32:27] — Why modern lifestyles fuel inflammation

[40:55] — How to measure your own inflammation

[48:33] — The science of immune aging (inflammaging)

[56:22] — Building immune resilience through daily habits

[1:03:44] — Why immune balance is better than immune ‘boosting’

[1:11:08] — The hopeful message: immunity is adaptable

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🔗 Helpful links:
Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/k1XpdFGVx1o

Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1

📲 Connect with Dr. Sharon Bergquist on LinkedIn: Dr. Sharon Horesh Bergquist 

Dr. Sharon Bergquist: https://drsharonbergquist.com/