Say hello to a stronger, healthier immune system!
The human immune system is a wonderful yet complicated machine. It is constantly working to protect us from infections, toxins, and diseases. This complex machine is made up of different organs, cells, and proteins that recognise and fight harmful invaders while remembering past infections to respond faster next time.
Quick Read:
- Small habits can make a big impact on your immune system; focus on sustainable healthy habits.
- Make your home as healthy as possible and invest in small green plants, if possible, to boost the air quality.
- Don’t underestimate the power of sleep for a strong and vibrant immune system.
What is the immune system?
If your body is a house, think of your immune system as the security system – the alarm, fence and gate that help to keep intruders out. How safe (and healthy) you are depends on the quality of your immune system.
Technically, your immune system is far more sophisticated than any old burglar alarm. It comprises a complicated network of proteins and cells that work as little protectors against infection. But it’s even more amazing than that – every time you’ve been sick, or had a virus or infection, your immune system kept a record of that. And knows just how to recognise and destroy the intruder again. Imagine it as a little built-in computer…
A pair of helpers
Your immune system has two main parts: innate immunity and adaptive immunity.
Innate immunity is the immune system you’re born with. It includes physical barriers like your skin (your largest organ), and the lining of your gastrointestinal tract, which act as your first line of defense. Adaptive immunity is how your immune system “learns.” It develops after having been exposed to new germs or viruses, allowing your body to recognise and respond more effectively in the future.
Can you boost your immune system?
We take vitamins, eat fruit and vegetables, and exercise regularly. Are all these measures boosting our immune system? It’s not so much about “boosting” – more about balance. A good balance ensures that your immune system is working as well as it’s supposed to because – as weird as this sounds – you don’t want too strong an immune response either.
An overactive immune response can lead to the development of autoimmune diseases. This is when antibodies form against the body’s tissues.
So, the sweet spot we want to find is the perfect balance.
The balancing act
We know that stress is not good for overall health. But for your immune system, it’s a killer. A 30-year study of stress and its effects found that brief natural sources of stress tend to suppress cellular immunity. Chronic stress (long-term) affects both cellular and humoral (antibodies) immunity. What this tells us is that stress can affect your immune system, so managing stress is essential.
Exercise is consistently recommended by all experts, for good reason. According to Harvard Health Publishing, “Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health, lowers blood pressure, helps control body weight, and protects against a variety of diseases. Just like a healthy diet, exercise can contribute to general good health and therefore to a healthy immune system.” Nurture that good balance with foods like blueberries, dark chocolate (in moderation), broccoli, oily fish, spinach, ginger, and garlic. These (and many more) have proven health benefits for your immunity.
Most importantly, take steps to live as healthily as possible. This includes quitting smoking, cutting down on excess alcohol, choosing lean meats, and staying away from greasy, oily foods. Chronic conditions (like diabetes) can also wreak havoc on your immunity, so be sure to take your medication and maintain a healthy diet. While your immune system does its best to protect you, you can also be proactive in boosting your overall wellbeing.
Images: Freepik
