How to Boost Your Immune System to Prevent Illness
Your immune system is one of the most powerful pieces of the human body. With various germs and bacteria in this world, this system works to keep you healthy and prevents you from getting sick. If you have issues with your immune system or you find it is not very strong, then you should learn how to boost your immune system to protect you from illness.
Undeniably, it is critical to keep your immune system in tip-top shape. Technically, your life depends on it. What can you do to keep this system running as it should? In this article, we look at the immune system parts, how it works to keep you healthy and immune system booster foods.
How Your Immune System Functions
The immune system structure is an army of cells dedicated to protecting your body from foreign invaders. First and foremost, this powerful army works to recognize any invaders. This means it has to be able to tell the difference between the cells of your body and the cells of any foreign entities.
How does it do this? It labels them. Certain cells place red flags on foreign invaders, signaling to other cells that these cells do not belong in the body.
Then, your white blood cells come into play. The white blood cells do the dirty work. They seek and destroy any foreign invader cells. There are further cells that signal to the white blood cells where new foreign entities are gathering. All these aspects work together as a unified army to rid your body of any germs or bacteria.
In addition to the direct fight, there are also other immune cells that aid from the sidelines. For instance, cytokines cause the inflammatory response. This usually occurs when there is a wound or injury. The cytokines cause the area to become warm, red and swollen. This helps repair tissue and cleanse the area.
Interestingly, autoimmune disorders happen when this system malfunctions. The body begins attacking its own cells, often causing various issues and adverse effects. Allergies also develop due to the immune system response. Typically, these situations are caused by genetic components.
Keeping Your Immune System Strong
Now, it’s time to learn how to keep your immune system performing the best it can. The following provides an overview of things you can do to give your immune system an extra kick.
Exercise
Exercise keeps your body healthy and when you have a strong and body, your immune system is able to function without any hindrances. It keeps your heart, lungs and bones strong, all of which are important for immune function. The heart pushes your blood throughout your body, bringing cells and nutrients to the areas that need it. Your lungs allow you to take in the optimal amount of oxygen, contributing to better energy and overall function. In addition, your bones are the sites where certain immune cells develop.
Exercise further decreases stress throughout the body. Everything in the body is connected. When the body is stressed, it sends a chain reaction through the different body systems causing few to work as they should. In turn, you may experience decreased immune function.
Most experts recommend exercising at least 150 minutes per week. By ensuring you get regular physical activity, you can maintain optimal health and optimal immunity.
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Focus on Your Nutrition
Technically, you really are what you eat. Your body requires certain amounts of various nutrients, minerals and vitamins. These substances contribute to proper functioning of every system and cell throughout your body. It’s no wonder most people refer to nutrition as your foundation to good health. Do your research, test and measure, and get your nutrition on point. From there your immune system will be able to function as it should.
Make Sure You Have Proper Vaccines
Immunity is gained through exposure and you have probably noticed this. You get certain illnesses as a child that you do not ever experience again as an adult, such as the chicken pox. While some sicknesses you have to be exposed to and experience to gain life-long immunity to, others you receive vaccines for. These vaccines work through the same way. You are given a small dosage of the virus or bacteria, just enough so that your body can build up proper immunity to it. It’s a small enough dosage to not make you sick.
Check in on your vaccines. Are you up to date? If not, book an appointment with your doctor to ensure you get your proper routine shots.
Manage Stress Levels
A positive outlook can go a long way. In fact, experts claim it might even be good for your health and your immunity. When you are more positive and less negative or stressed, your body is able to function as it should.
Raise Your Body’s Temperature
Interestingly, experts also claim that raising your body’s temperature can improve your immune function and response. By maintaining a body temperature closer to 37C, you enhance your natural healing mechanisms and are better able to maintain proper health. How can you do this? Generally, looking after yourself will get you to this state. Further, you may choose to use certain sauna therapies to increase your body’s temperature.
In addition, there has been varying evidence indicating that cold showers or baths can increase the immune response, as demonstrated through the Wim Hof method. A study proved this method to not only improve the immune system but also effectively prevented any symptoms of an injected virus in individuals who practiced this method.
Most Importantly, Take Care of Yourself
While taking care of your physical self is important, your mental health also needs to be looked after. These two are interlinked. Thus, it is critical to give yourself downtime and find relaxation techniques to unwind and de-stress. When you start looking after your general health, your entire body and mind improves. This further contributes to your whole body, including your immune system functioning at its best. When you function at your best, you are less likely to get sick.