If you want to boost your immune system, there are many natural ways to do it. These include diet, social ties, and exercise. Many ancient spices are also known to be immune-boosting. Citrus fruits also contain high amounts of vitamin C, which may help your body fight off infection. You can eat these fruits whole or make juice from them.
Exercise
Exercise supports immune system function by increasing white blood cell count and activity levels. This helps identify viruses and bacteria that cause illness. Moreover, physical activity allows immune cells to remain active for about three hours after an intense workout, which increases their ability to detect intruders and protect the body. Thus, regular exercise is a natural way to support immune system health.
Walking is a low-impact exercise that can boost the immune system. A recent study found that people who walked for at least half an hour daily were 43 percent less likely to be sick than those who stayed home. Regular brisk walks are an easy way to get more exercise into your daily routine. You can also try rebounding, a type of exercise that involves jumping on a mini fitness trampoline, which drains the lymphatic system and detoxifies the body.
Diet
While there are many reasons to eat a healthy diet, there are certain foods that are especially beneficial for the immune system. Incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your daily meals can boost your body’s ability to fight infections. Adding more healthy fats to your diet is an especially good idea, because they help the immune system fight off oxidative stress and cellular damage. Additionally, foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids like fish and avocados may help improve your blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity. Additionally, taking vitamins and minerals regularly can also support immune function and reduce the risk of infection.
A balanced diet is the best way to provide the immune system with nutrients that it needs. This includes a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein sources. You should also consider taking oral nutritional supplements to supplement your diet if it is lacking in specific nutrients. Some examples include the BOOST(r) Nutritional Drink, which contains essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to fight off bacteria and viruses.
Social ties
Recent research has shown that social ties have an impact on immune function. Individuals with stronger social ties have higher life expectancies and lower rates of illness. The immune system helps maintain health by regulating inflammation, which helps the body heal wounds and fight infection. However, lack of social ties makes a person more susceptible to infection.
Social ties are important for the immune system, but there are many factors that influence the strength of these ties. Among them is the presence of a partner. Studies have shown that having a spouse helps the person stay mentally healthy. However, there are mixed results with having children.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a micronutrient essential to human health and is a powerful antioxidant. It also plays an important role in immune functions, including stimulating white blood cells. The antioxidant properties of vitamin C also make it useful in preventing certain diseases. The best sources of vitamin C are fruits and vegetables.
Immune support products contain small amounts of vitamin C, which are well tolerated. Higher doses, however, can cause side effects. Common side effects of high doses of vitamin C include nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Some people also develop kidney stones if they take large doses of vitamin C.
Vitamin C is important for normal connective tissue growth and repair. It also supports the production of interferons, which allow cells to initiate protective cellular defenses. It also boosts the function of phagocytes, which help the immune system eliminate harmful particles.
Echinacea
Echinacea is a powerful herbal remedy that stimulates the immune system. It also has antimicrobial properties that inhibit the growth of microorganisms. This herb is effective against many common ailments, including colds and flu. It can also help the body fight off cancer.
Echinacea has been used as a remedy for a variety of illnesses for at least 400 years. It is also known to cure wounds and infections. It has even been used to treat malaria and blood poisoning. However, the popularity of echinacea in the United States began to decline after the introduction of antibiotics. Since then, most scientific research on the herb has been performed in Germany.
One study showed that taking echinacea during a cold helped prevent a relapse of the infection. However, this effect was not consistent across studies. In addition, studies have shown that echinacea may not be effective in treating other illnesses, such as other types of colds.