When you are younger, you think you are invincible to the world and everything around it. You never think about getting sick or needing to rest, but as you get older, you become more aware of factors related to your health.
According to Webster, an immune system is a network of biological processes that detects and responds to a variety of germs. We are born with an innate immune system but later develop an adaptive one.
Our adaptive immune system changes throughout our lifetime to protect our bodies from illnesses and diseases. However, as we age, our immune system begins to weaken, which makes us more susceptible to being sick and causes us to struggle with serious illnesses.
You have certainly heard, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Can an apple really help keep you healthy? Even though apples contribute certain nutrients, your body needs many more things to thrive.
Is there really a way to boost your immune system? Taking vitamins, exercising, drinking water, getting plenty of rest, and visiting your doctor is a sure way to help boost your immune system. Let’s see how!
1. Vitamins
According to Live Science, these are the best vitamins for immune system health: Vitamin C, B-Vitamins, Vitamin D, and Zinc. If you’re not getting enough of these vitamins for immunity support in your diet, discuss taking a supplement with your doctor.
- Vitamin C
Vitamin C supports your immune system by fortifying white blood cells while maintaining a strong skin barrier and protecting against oxidative stress. - B-Vitamins
There are a total of eight different types of B-Vitamins, which are responsible for a range of metabolic and regulatory processes. These B-Vitamins play an important role in strengthening the immune system. - Vitamin D
The National Library of Medicine reports that Vitamin D contributes to boosting immune health by regulating the innate and adaptive immune responses. A decrease in Vitamin D will cause your body to be more susceptible to infections. - Zinc
According to Centrum, Zinc helps produce white blood cells and helps protect your body against cellular damage.
It has been proven that vitamins will help with many different functions within your body, but taking them will help boost your immune system. Be sure to consult with your doctor regarding the right regimen for you.
2. Exercise
According to PubMed.gov, regular exercise can boost your immune system by enhancing vaccination response, increasing T-cells, and boosting the function of the natural killer cells within the immune system.
Exercising can be walking, running, water aerobics, yoga, cycling, or dancing. If you haven’t been physically active for a while , be sure to consult with your doctor to determine an exercise regimen that is right for you.
3. Water
Staying hydrated is very important to everyday function and staying healthy. It has been reported by Vēdix that, according to Dr. Zeel Gandhi, water aids in many different processes which are crucial to the immune system.
Water aids in the process of lymph production, transporting white blood cells and nutrients to all of your body’s tissues. Water contributes to digestion, oxygenation, and detoxification. So, make sure you are drinking a lot of water to help boost your immune system health.
4. Rest
Getting enough sleep at night will contribute to a healthy lifestyle. The ideal amount of sleep for an adult is 7 to 8 hours per night. Getting a few nights of bad sleep will not affect you immediately, but over time having this consistent behavior will lead to some health issues. Lack of sleep may be a contributing factor to how fast you may recover from an illness.
It has been reported by the Mayo Clinic that, according to Eric J. Olson, M.D., during sleep, your body releases proteins that aid in fighting infections. Lack of sleep will cause infection-fighting antibodies and cells to decrease. If you have any concerns about your sleeping ability or pattern, please consult with your doctor.
5. Doctor Visits
Visit your doctor regularly to ensure you make the right choices to support your health, including a strong immune system. Regular health screenings can detect any early symptoms that may occur during an illness. Taking care of yourself is a sure way to help your immune system take care of you. Ask your doctor for recommendations on how to boost your immunity based on your medical history.
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