Tips For Maintaining A Healthy Immune System
Introduction
Our immune system is essential to our health, and even our existence – if our immune system ceased to exist, or if it failed totally, we would very quickly succumb to a host of microscopic invaders.
While most people are aware of their immune system in a general or abstract way, at times of a generalized contagious disease outbreak, our interest in our self-protection mechanisms become heightened.
(The short video in this article explains more about the current understanding of the various components of our immune system.)
When a global pandemic occurs, the interest becomes acute, which is understandable and essential.
And those most at risk from viral attacks are those whose immune systems have been compromised.
This can be due to a variety of causes and factors, such as age and existing health conditions, as well as environmental toxins.
This report explains how you can recognize if your immune system is not at its best, and what you can do yourself to boost your immune system.
Signs You Have A Weakened Immune System
Your immune system plays a vital role in keeping infections and illnesses under control. Every day, you are exposed to germs, bacteria, bugs, and various pathogens from other people, pets, or the environment.
With a strong immune system, you will less easily be infected by a virus or bacteria, or succumb to a serious or chronic disease.
Due to unhealthy habits, poor lifestyle, and external factors, you might sometimes find your immune system compromised. Lack of sleep, smoking, drinking alcohol, and over-exercising can also weaken your immunity.
So, how do you know when you have a weakened immune system? Here are the common signs:
Feeling Stressed All The Time
When you experience an emotional rollercoaster or you are put under too much pressure at work or at home, you are likely to experience stress.
And when you are stressed, your body produces fewer white blood cells, which help to fight off infections.
When you are often ill, your body is subject to more stress, so the cycle worsens.
You Always Catch A Cold
It’s normal to catch a cold about three times a year, especially during the so-called “cold season”.
Your body will produce antibodies in three to four days, and you can expect the cold to last for a week, or even ten days.
However, if you catch a cold quite often, and it persists, then your immune system is clearly struggling.
You Get Tired Easily
Another sign of a weakened immune system is constantly feeling fatigued and tired, which is because your energy is being diverted to essential maintenance and repair.
So, if you’re getting enough sleep, yet you still feel exhausted, you might have to check other factors that could be contributing to weakened immunity.
You Have Relentless Infections
If you tend to suffer from infections multiple times a year, your immune system is most likely weak. You may have urinary tract infections, gingivitis, ear infections, or chronic sinusitis.
Some infections may require antibiotics, and if you need them more than twice a year, that means your body cannot fight infections alone.
You Often Have An Upset Stomach
Around 75% of your immunity is based on your gut health, where millions of microbes thrive and help fight off infections.
When your immune system is weak, you’ll notice frequent digestive problems. For example, you may have a frequent upset stomach, constipation, diarrhoea, or gas.
Your Skin Suffers From Rashes
Your skin is your primary physical defense system against outside factors, keeping the germs and bacteria away.
When you have a weak immune system, you’ll often notice a rash that just won’t go away easily, and you may also experience dry, itchy, and red skin, which are signs of inflammation.
Wounds Take Forever to Heal
When you get a wound, your immune system goes to work to repair the damaged and infected cells.
A small scrape or cut may close after a few hours and heal in no time, but if it feels like your wound is taking forever to heal, then your immune system is most likely weak.
How Do You Ensure A Robust Immune System?
Knowing the signs of a weakened immune system is crucial so that you can take the necessary steps to bring it to a healthy level once again.
You can take vitamins and dietary supplements to get the nutrients that your body is deficient in, including prebiotics and probiotics, which will help boost your immune response.
However, prevention is generally better than a cure, and there are steps you can take to keep your immune system healthy.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise strengthens the body and stimulates the release of endorphins, which reduces stress levels.
Remember not to overdo it, though, as too much exercise can weaken your immunity, as in when the body needs more effort to repair muscles than it is capable of at the time.
Get Enough Sleep
Your body needs time to rest and repair on a cellular level, which happens when you sleep – and lack of sleep can reduce the production of white blood cells.
Eat A Balanced Diet
While you can take supplements, the best way to get the vitamins and minerals that your body needs is by eating healthy foods.
Stick to whole foods and strenuously avoid sugary and processed foods and drinks.
The Takeaway
In summary, having a healthy immune system is crucial to your well-being, so:
- Be self-aware and monitor yourself for any signs of a weak system.
- Address any such signs immediately to prevent your condition from worsening.
Soups To Boost The Immune System
The immune system, which is a network of cells and proteins that help protect the body from harmful microbes, is what keeps you protected from infection and illnesses, as best it can.
You know when your immune system is hard at work when you notice a swollen lymph node or a low-grade fever, which means that it is fighting off infections.
However, when you have a weak immune system, you are more prone to sickness.
Do you often catch a cold or a cough? Or ‘flu?
There are many different ways to boost your immune system. These include:
- eating healthy foods
- exercising regularly
- getting enough sleep
Even with a healthy lifestyle, you may still sometimes feel under the weather, and before you know it, you’re running a fever or nursing a stuffy nose and headache.
One of the quick remedies that your parents or carers might have given you when you were a child is chicken soup – and as it turns out, there is a scientific basis for soups in boosting the immune system.
You might therefore want to incorporate hearty soups into your diet, not only to make you feel a lot better when you are sick but also to boost your immune system all year-round.
Here are a few soups you should give a try:
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