Numerous supplements and products on the market today state their ability to improve one’s immune system. However, boosting the immune system requires more than just swallowing a pill or powder containing a variety of vitamins and minerals.
Your defense system is in a very delicate balance. It needs to be highly effective against a wide range of pathogens without being so powerful that it causes unwarranted side effects.
To accomplish this, it is under stringent control from a variety of sources and in reaction to events occurring within your body. In a word, complicated.
You can give your immune system a boost and make it more effective at warding off all sorts of illnesses, from the common cold to the flu to COVID-19. There isn’t a single one that involves taking a pill. Here are six ways supported by research that can help you keep your immune system in tip-top shape:
Contents
1. Keep Up-To-Date On All Of The Necessary Vaccinations
The best weapon we have against dangerous diseases is a healthy immune system, and that involves using vaccines, as reported by Houston Methodist.
Vaccines make your already-advanced immune system even more so by teaching it to identify and combat certain pathogens. Learning immunity to these pathogens by vaccination is far safer than acquiring them naturally.
According to Dr. Chen Lin, an allergist and immunologist at Houston Methodist, “it is always important to be up-to-date on recommended vaccinations, especially your COVID-19 vaccine or booster as well as your annual flu sh0t.”
To learn more about the immune response a vaccine elicits, please visit the following link:
2. Keep A Balanced Diet
A good immune system relies on a balanced diet, just like the rest of your body. Vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats should all play a significant role in achieving this goal.
“When your body has sufficient amounts of the micronutrients found in these foods, it helps to maintain your immune system homeostasis,” says Dr. Lin.
Examples of such micronutrients are:
- Chicken, fish, tuna, bananas, green vegetables, and potatoes (with the skin) are all good sources of vitamin B6.
- Vitamin C can be found in oranges, strawberries, tomatoes, and green leafy vegetables like broccoli and spinach.
- Almonds, sunflower and safflower oil, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, spinach, and other foods rich in vitamin E.
- Zinc, which is present in oysters, red meat, chicken, beans, and dairy
- Magnesium, which can be found in foods including whole wheat, almonds, and seeds
The greatest strategy to strengthen your immune system is to consume a well-balanced diet, as your body absorbs vitamins more efficiently from dietary sources than from supplements. You can see the official tweet by Fancied Facts below:
Sunshine, supplements, or salmon? 🌞💊🐟 The choice is yours! Boost your mood and immune system with these 3 simple ways to get more Vitamin D. #HealthTip
— Fancied Facts (@FanciedF) April 29, 2023
3. Keep An Exercise Schedule.
In addition to helping you gain muscle and reduce stress, regular physical activity is crucial to your overall health and can even boost your immune system.
Water is continually being lost by breathing, urinating, and defecating, even while you’re not exercising or sweating. Replace the water you lose with water your body can absorb; this is the first step in maintaining a healthy immune system.
5. Get A Good Night Sleep
Sleep may not feel like an active activity, but it actually involves a lot of vital processes for your body. According to Dr. Lin, “Sleep is important for immune function and the homeostasis of the immune system.”
Knowing how much sleep you should be getting each night and what to do if your sleep is poor can provide your immune system the best chance to fight off infection and sickness. Below is another tweet from Fancied Facts that may help you strengthen your immune system:
Sunshine on your skin? A supplement? A healthy meal? ☀️ Discover the best ways to get more vitamin D and boost your mood, energy, and immune system! 💪 #VitaminD
— Fancied Facts (@FanciedF) April 29, 2023
6. Reducing Stress
The effects of stress on your health are significant whether it hits suddenly or builds up over time. Secondary effects of stress on immune system function include changes in sleep and eating habits, decreased water and exercise consumption, and other behaviors.
Everyone has their own unique way of dealing with stress and releasing tension. Knowing the signs of stress is vital because of the damage it can do to your body. Learn the techniques that work best for you to relax, whether it’s deep breathing, meditation, prayer, or exercise.
Be aware of supplements claiming to strengthen your immune system even more if you are otherwise healthy and taking the steps above. You should save serveupdate.com to your bookmarks and check it frequently in order to be informed on the most recent developments.
