Immunity Boost

Some people seem to never get sick. As flu season approaches and we continue to fight the pandemic, no doubt you would like to fall into this category as well.

When we are exposed to foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses, the immune system is responsible to fight them off and prevent an illness or infection. Many of us do not think about the immune system until we begin to feel sick. But the best time to strengthen your immunity is before you are at an increased risk of getting sick.

Diet, exercise, age, psychological stress, as well as our lifestyle habits all play a role in how well the immune system functions. We need to make sure we are doing all we can to support it instead of weakening it. Here are some habits that may weaken the immune system:

·        Sleeping less than 7 hours.

·        Excessive alcohol intake (more than 1 drink per day for women and more than 2 drinks per day for men).

·        Smoking or using other tobacco products.

·        Chronically feeling stressed.

·        Strenuous exercise.

·        Poor eating habits.

Eating processed foods as well as those that are high in sugar, trans fat and saturated fat can also impair immunity. In addition to these foods promoting inflammation, they usually are lacking in many essential vitamins and other nutrients. Gravitating toward empty calories can limit our intake of nutritionally dense foods and can thus lead to nutritional deficiencies that can further exacerbate the problem.

Keeping unnecessary inflammation at a minimum can also help to promote the infection-fighting ability of the immune system. Inflammation is the immune system’s reaction to injury, irritation, and infection. When it goes into overdrive, it can result in chronic inflammation which is the leading cause of most health problems. We can make sure that we are providing our bodies what they need to build strong immunity by:

·        Keep social connections strong.

·        Maintain a healthy weight.

·        Exercise regularly, but not too much.

·        Only drink in moderation.

·        Get plenty of sleep.

·        Regularly wash your hands for at least 20-seconds with hot water.

·        Cook meats thoroughly.

·        Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables.

When we make sure to avoid habits that will weaken the immune system and provide the body with the tools it needs, we can strengthen our immunity. Then we will be more likely to fight off illness and infections.