How to strengthen your immune system
The human immune system is one of the most impressive aspects of our biology. For the most part, it does a good job of defending the body against harmful microbes and toxins that can damage our health. However, it is not a perfect system for fighting disease and there are many habits and lifestyle choices that people make that can inhibit immune system function and leave us more susceptible to illness and disease. By following a few tips for strengthening the immune system, you can improve this function of the body and by doing so, prevent disease and live a healthier life.
The important thing for people to understand about the immune system is that it is actually made up of many different components within the human body. With this being the case, there is no single cure-all that will work for achieving optimal immune system function. Each of these tips may help to improve certain aspects of the immune system, but to get your immune system as strong as possible, you need to address a range of different issues that may exist in different areas of your life.
Work on nutrition and diet
Proper nutrition is a fundamental part of being healthy in so many different ways. Your immune system and the overall proper function of the body are dependent upon getting the nutrients that are needed. A lack of nutrition can degrade body function as a whole and this includes the proper function of the immune system. Along with that, there are many dietary choices that people make that will have a negative effect on the immune system.
A diet that is high in sugar will certainly inhibit immune system function. Reducing your regular intake of things like sugary drinks and snacks will work wonders for your immune system. You want to aim for a diet that is low in sugar and saturated fats, while eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and foods that are rich in nutrients like beta-carotene, vitamins C & E, zinc and potassium.
Have healthy sleeping habits
The value of proper sleeping habits for having a healthy immune system cannot be overstated. So many people deprive themselves of sleep and this will have a negative effect on their ability to fight off disease. A lack of sleep can lead to an increase in the levels of stress hormones in the blood and studies have shown that people who are lacking in sleep produce fewer antibodies when they are exposed to a virus. It is recommended that an adult should try to average 7-9 hours of sleep per night to have a healthy life and a properly functioning immune system.
Get regular exercise
Regular exercise is also one of the fundamentals for a healthy life. People that exercise regularly have better resistance to germs and the improved fitness also helps them to recover faster when they do get sick. Exercise helps to reduce the levels of stress hormones in the blood and increase the levels of hormones that make you feel good. Antibodies and white blood cells are important for fighting infection and exercise aids them in circulating through the body more freely and this helps them to detect and fight disease quicker and more efficiently. Just 20-30 minutes of exercise per day can make a big difference when it comes to immune system function.
Chiropractic care
Visiting a chiropractor can also be a good way to improve immune system function. Chiropractic treatment helps to improve the health and function of the nervous system and as a result, this improves the performance of the human immune system. The nervous system plays a key role in every function of your body and when it is not working correctly, it can affect every aspect of your health.
For most people, it will not a take a huge, life-changing effort for them to achieve improved immune system function. A few key adjustments and a little bit of effort and you will be well on your way. One way that you can make this goal even easier to reach is to schedule an appointment with a chiropractor. Along with regular chiropractic treatments, they can provide valuable advice about nutrition, they can help you to form a regular exercise routine and a chiropractor provide you with tips that can help to improve your sleeping habits. Additionally, a chiropractor can check your progress in follow up visits and help you to make adjustments to the plan based on the results that you have achieved.