Even if your immune system is typically pretty strong, it seems hard to avoid sick at least once every once in a while. And what about those poor souls who tend to have lower immune systems from the get-go? A majority of their winter months are probably spent stuck in bed, stocking up on tissues and OTC cold and flu medicines. But fear not, because it doesn't have to be this way any more! This article aims to explain to you some ways to help optimize your immune system so that its in its strongest form ever.
To begin with, it is important to know that diet is the most important factor regarding your immune system. The foods we ingest get translated into the fuel our bodies run on, and it goes without saying that for optimum performance, we want to be running on the cleanest fuel possible. Incorporating whole grains, as well as as many fruits and vegetables as possible are a great start. Make sure to eat a minimum of foods high in sugar and fat. A good rule of thumb to follow is that if it raw, it is great for your system, but if it is processed, it may not be as much so.
Eating foods high in vitamins A, C, E and B are excellent for your immune system, as well as consuming foods that are natural antioxidants. Greens (such as kale, broccoli, and spinach) as well as plenty of other fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruit, bell peppers, nuts, seeds, berries, sweet potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, and even lean meat all lend some type of healthy addition - be it vitamins or minerals - to your body which will help it fight off infections more effectively as well as be good for your general overall health.
A healthy diet is generally the first step towards an overall healthy lifestyle, which includes incorporating daily exercise (even in moderate doses), and keeping your body fat content at an appropriate weight, and lowering your stress level. All of these systems work together in one little nicely-tied-up package, as a healthy diet and regular exercise lowers your stress and begets a healthy weight, much as maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly demands a healthy diet and naturally keeps stress levels lower, and so on. Cutting out foods that are high in sugar and fat is essential, and by doing all of these things you will also lessen your stress level, which is another contributing factor to a weak immune system. When faced with chronic stress your body over-produces both cortisol and adrenaline, two stress hormones that can actually boost your immune system in small doses, but can only repress it.
Keeping stress levels low is also incredibly important. When your body is under chronic stress, your cortisol and adrenaline remain excessively high, which represses your immune system over time (versus actually boosting it slightly such as when short term stress happens). Additionally, three other easy techniques will help to boost your immune system to its highest potency. Wash your hands often, get plenty of sleep, and consume alcohol moderately.
To begin with, it is important to know that diet is the most important factor regarding your immune system. The foods we ingest get translated into the fuel our bodies run on, and it goes without saying that for optimum performance, we want to be running on the cleanest fuel possible. Incorporating whole grains, as well as as many fruits and vegetables as possible are a great start. Make sure to eat a minimum of foods high in sugar and fat. A good rule of thumb to follow is that if it raw, it is great for your system, but if it is processed, it may not be as much so.
Eating foods high in vitamins A, C, E and B are excellent for your immune system, as well as consuming foods that are natural antioxidants. Greens (such as kale, broccoli, and spinach) as well as plenty of other fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruit, bell peppers, nuts, seeds, berries, sweet potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, and even lean meat all lend some type of healthy addition - be it vitamins or minerals - to your body which will help it fight off infections more effectively as well as be good for your general overall health.
A healthy diet is generally the first step towards an overall healthy lifestyle, which includes incorporating daily exercise (even in moderate doses), and keeping your body fat content at an appropriate weight, and lowering your stress level. All of these systems work together in one little nicely-tied-up package, as a healthy diet and regular exercise lowers your stress and begets a healthy weight, much as maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly demands a healthy diet and naturally keeps stress levels lower, and so on. Cutting out foods that are high in sugar and fat is essential, and by doing all of these things you will also lessen your stress level, which is another contributing factor to a weak immune system. When faced with chronic stress your body over-produces both cortisol and adrenaline, two stress hormones that can actually boost your immune system in small doses, but can only repress it.
Keeping stress levels low is also incredibly important. When your body is under chronic stress, your cortisol and adrenaline remain excessively high, which represses your immune system over time (versus actually boosting it slightly such as when short term stress happens). Additionally, three other easy techniques will help to boost your immune system to its highest potency. Wash your hands often, get plenty of sleep, and consume alcohol moderately.
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