Overview of Stop Getting Sick: The Immune System Hygiene Protocol with Carly Kremer
This episode of The Model Health Show focuses on how to reduce how often you get sick, recover faster when you do, and build a more resilient immune system through what Shawn Stevenson calls immune system hygiene. Shawn opens with research-backed evidence that exercise and sleep meaningfully strengthen immune function, then brings on Carly Kremer, founder of Beekeepers Naturals, to discuss her personal journey with autoimmune issues and how bee-derived products like propolis, royal jelly, and honey became core tools in her health routine. The conversation expands beyond supplements into practical lifestyle habits, environmental health, stress reduction, and advocacy against pesticides.
Main Takeaways
Exercise supports immune resilience
Shawn highlights studies showing that regular exercise:
- Improves immune response to infections
- Reduces susceptibility to viruses
- Lowers the risk of severe illness
He explains the key mechanisms as:
- Immunosurveillance: better detection of pathogens
- Reduced inflammation
- Immunomodulation: the immune system responds appropriately instead of overreacting
- Slower immunosenescence: delays age-related immune decline
Sleep is a major immune-system lever
The episode emphasizes that poor sleep and sleep deprivation:
- Suppress immune cell production and performance
- Increase susceptibility to illness after exposure to pathogens
- Slow recovery when you’re sick
Immune system hygiene is the core concept
Carly frames immune health like oral hygiene:
- It needs to be practiced consistently
- It should be part of a daily routine
- The goal is to create a strong first line of defense against modern stressors, toxins, pollution, and processed foods
Carly Kremer’s Immune Routine
Her daily protocol
Carly says she hasn’t been sick in years because she follows a consistent routine:
- Propolis spray in the morning and at night
- Nasal propolis spray to support the upper respiratory tract
- Liposomal vitamin C + propolis
- Gut health product with pre-, pro-, and postbiotics
- Additional nasal and propolis use before bed
Her toddler follows a similar routine
Carly shares that her daughter:
- Uses kids’ propolis and nasal sprays daily
- Takes liposomal vitamin C weekly
- Eats bee pollen and superfood honey
- Has rarely gotten sick despite regular exposure to other children
Why Propolis Matters
What it is
Carly explains that propolis is a resin-based bee product made from plant/tree resins and bee enzymes. She describes it as:
- A powerful immune-supporting compound
- An antioxidant-rich substance
- An immunomodulator that helps balance immune responses
Reported benefits
The discussion covers propolis as a tool for:
- Supporting immune defense
- Reducing inflammation
- Helping recovery from illness
- Supporting respiratory health
- Potentially helping with issues like cold sores
Historical context
Carly notes that propolis has a long history of human use:
- The term is attributed to ancient Greek usage
- Socrates reportedly spoke about it
- It has been used historically as an “OG antibiotic”
Stress, Gut Health, and Brain Support
Stress support
Carly describes Beekeepers Naturals’ stress formula, which includes:
- Honey
- Propolis
- Ashwagandha
- L-theanine
She says it helps calm the nervous system and reduce the inflammatory effects of chronic stress.
Gut health
She also emphasizes that immune health is closely tied to the microbiome and recommends their gut formula because it supports:
- Regularity
- Reduced bloating
- Better immune balance
- Less inflammation in the colon
- Better gut barrier integrity
Brain health
Their brain formula is designed for:
- Focus
- Memory
- Concentration
It includes ingredients like royal jelly, ginkgo, and a potent form of acetylcholine support, with the goal of aiding brain health long term.
Environmental Health and Pesticides
Pesticides as a public health issue
A major segment of the conversation is Carly’s advocacy work around pesticides. She argues that:
- Bees are highly sensitive to environmental toxins
- Bee health is a warning sign for human health
- Modern pesticide exposure is widespread and harmful
Advocacy wins and current concerns
She mentions progress made through public pressure, including:
- Blocking a proposed liability shield for pesticide companies
- Increasing transparency in some regions around fumigation spraying
She also warns about current concerns involving fumigants near agricultural areas and says exposure may increase cancer risk in nearby communities.
What individuals can do
Carly recommends:
- Buying organic when possible, especially for the Dirty Dozen
- Shopping at farmer’s markets
- Talking directly with small farmers about their practices
- Using filtered water and baking soda to clean produce
- Contacting local representatives about pesticide regulation
- Using AI tools to draft emails or advocacy messages
Honey, Manuka, and Product Transparency
Carly’s view on Manuka honey
She strongly pushes back on the popular belief that Manuka is automatically the best honey:
- Claims around Manuka are often marketing-driven
- Other honeys can have equal or better antioxidant profiles
- Darker honeys, such as buckwheat honey, may outperform Manuka in antioxidant content
- For internal use, regular high-quality honey often performs just as well
- Manuka’s main edge is topical use, not immune support
Beekeepers Naturals’ philosophy
Carly says the company is built on:
- Efficacy
- Transparency
- Authenticity
She emphasizes that they won’t sell products they don’t personally use or believe in.
Lifestyle Foundations Beyond Supplements
Carly also credits several broader habits for her health:
- Regular time in nature
- Family and connection
- Spirituality
- Clean water, especially reverse osmosis
- Tracking vitamin D
- Taking high-quality omega-3s
- Gardening and connecting with pollinators
- Doing joyful activities like karaoke
Notable Quotes and Ideas
- “Immune system hygiene is the next frontier.”
- “The nose is the hose” — a reminder to keep nasal passages clear for better breathing and sleep
- “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”
- “Your voice matters” — on pesticide advocacy and public health change
Practical Action Items
Daily health habits
- Exercise regularly
- Prioritize sleep
- Build an immune-support routine
- Support gut health
- Reduce stress consistently
Environmental protection
- Buy organic when possible
- Wash produce with filtered water and baking soda
- Support local farmers and sustainable beekeepers
- Advocate against harmful pesticide practices
Products and resources mentioned
- Beekeepers Naturals propolis spray
- Nasal propolis spray
- Liposomal vitamin C with propolis
- Gut health formula
- Stress support formula
- Brain support formula
Where to Find Carly Kremer and Beekeepers Naturals
- Beekeepers Naturals:
beekeepersnaturals.com/modelfor 20% off - Instagram:
beekeepers_naturals,carly.kremer - TikTok:
beekeepersnaturals,carlykremer - Substack: Clean Thoughts by Carly Kremer
Final Message
The episode’s core message is that getting sick less often is not just about treating symptoms after the fact. It’s about building a healthier baseline through exercise, sleep, nutrition, stress management, and environmental awareness. Carly Kremer’s approach centers on using science-backed bee products as part of a broader lifestyle strategy to support immune resilience, while also fighting for safer food systems and cleaner environmental practices.