How to Boost Your Immune System

Being able to boost your immune system is a complicated process. This is because the immune system itself is complex [1]. In fact, there are so many pieces to how to boost your immune system that scientists have only begun to understand how our bodies sometimes fight sickness and why the immune system fails in fend off disease and illness in other instances.

How to Boost Your Immune System 

For instance, scientists know there are a number of distinctive kinds of cells that work in the immune system [2]. These cells all play a different role in immunity; however, exactly how they all work together and coexist is unknown. As well, scientists have not pinpointed the optimal number of these cells to have in the body [2]. Is more always better? Does it differ from person to person? Are genetics involved? This all remains a scientific mystery.

What doctors and scientists do know is there are people who fight off disease and illness better than others. As the research dials in on what creates a stronger, more robust immune system, a few common factors have emerged among healthier individuals.

Engage in a Healthy Lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle is the best way to boost your immune system [2]. This includes daily habits such as avoiding toxins, such as smoking and catching enough ZZZZs at night. This means at least seven to eight hours each and every night [5]. A healthy lifestyle sets up the body for optimal performance, and this includes topnotch performance by your immune system.

One aspect of a healthy lifestyle is exercise [5]. An active lifestyle not only helps you fight off the common cold of flu, but also helps when you are already sick and need to nip the illness. It is a great way to build the T cells that are necessary to fight any sickness.

Another important part of a healthy lifestyle is avoiding chronic stress [4]. A small amount of stress or pressure can keep our minds sharp and focused. However, when that stress turns into a suffocating burden, it takes a toll on our bodies. In turn, this taxes our immune system.

It can be difficult to eliminate the chronic stressors in your life, as they are most commonly related to jobs, relationships, or living situations. Yet, you can boost your immune system by engaging in activities that lessen stress such as meditation or massages.  Now let’s jump into some more ways on how to boost your immune system.

Don’t Be a Bummer

Being sick makes us sad, but did you know that being sad could make you sick? Scientists know that helper T cells are one of the key fighters against disease and illness [2]. The theory is that a person with more helper T cells has a greater chance of staying healthy. This led to a number of studies and research into people who have more of these tough, little T cells and why.

One study found that people who are optimistic and upbeat have more helper T cells [4]. Thus, furthering the notion that happier people live healthier, longer lives. There is still more research to be done on the link between a healthy outlook and a healthy immune system, but, for now, preventing the common cold is a good reason to smile in the morning.

You Are What You Eat (and Drink)

One of the fastest ways to crash your immune system is a bad diet. This appears to be particularly true when it comes to alcohol consumption [3]. Another poor choice when it comes to food and beverage is a high consumption of caffeine [5]. Both alcohol and caffeine are fine when consumed in moderation, but have too much and it creates conflict and confusion in the body. All of these poor eating and drinking habits lead to a lesser ability to fight off disease and lesson not boost your immune system.

Another important part of a healthy immune system is to stay hydrated and drink a lot of water. It is recommended that a healthy individual have at least eight cups of water per day, and many people need more [5]. Water is quick into the blood stream and helps people eliminate toxins. Thus, drinking more water is a great and simple way to boost your immune system without changing a lot of things about your diet, lifestyle, or exercise habits.

When focusing on diet and exercise, people do great for their immune system to remember that sugars and fat are the primary suspects behind increased stress. Often, those who consume processed food are at a higher risk of consuming these awful sugars and fats [5]. One way to eliminate there food from a diet is to avoid cereals, flours, and baked goods that come from a box [5]. Other studies recommend limiting the amounts of processed foods that are consume within a day. Alternatively, many people forget that they consume coffees, teas, or other beverages that have a lot sugar added.  Now let’s jump into some one more way on how to boost your immune system.

A Healthy Skepticism

There are many products, supplements, and procedures that claim to boost your immune system. While these products promise incredible and mystical results, most of them do not produce the promised results[1]. Those consumers who are looking to obtain results fast are often disappointed by the consistency and reliability of results. More often than not these products do not boost your immune system at all.

For this reason many scientists and doctors recommend that their patients find other ways to stay healthy and improve immunity. Basically, when it comes to living a healthy and illness-free life style there are no shortcuts. Therefore, the best bet when shopping these supplements is to proceed with caution and not anticipate miracles or fast fixes. In some cases, these products or procedures can even be dangerous [2].

At this time there is no one-size-fits-all approach to boost your immunity system. However, there are decisions that you can make every day to improve your heath and ability to fight off disease. In the end, these decisions could lead to a new and improved body that is more capable of fending off the common cold or other illness that keeps you from living life to the fullest.

I hope you enjoyed this article on how to boost your immune system.  if you did like it, please share with your friends and family on facebook.

 

References:

[1] http://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2016-08-26/how-do-you-boost-your-immune-system/7541620

[2] http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system

[3] http://www.health.com/cold-flu-sinus/boost-immune-system

[4] www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/10-ways-youre-harming-your-immune-system/slide/1

[5] http://www.wikihow.com/Develop-a-Strong-Immune-System