How To Boost Immunity in 7 Steps
It’s human nature to want to live a long and healthy life, but to get there, we need a healthy immune system and a nutrient-supple body. Our immune system is crucial for fighting off infections like the common cold or the flu. The stronger the immune system, the less likely you are to get sick. Strengthening your immune system is especially important if you have a chronic illness and need extra support to boost the body’s immune cells.
Luckily, we can naturally boost our immunity and train our bodies to keep fighting off ailments.
A few ways by which we can boost our immunity are:
Stay Up-To-Date With Vaccinations
Vaccines are the best way to provide active immunity to the body, through which our body learns how to fight the disease. All vaccines work differently to offer protection. Most vaccines work by supplying the body with “memory” white blood cells that will remember how to fight that virus in the future.
Some vaccinations are effective for a long time, but other vaccines, like influenza, need to be administered every year to keep up with changing variants of the virus.
Vaccines like COVID-19 give the body enough immunity with the first and second shot but may need boosters to increase white blood cell memory. This extra boost will help effectively fight the virus in the future.
Eat A Balanced Diet
A healthy diet provides sufficient nutrients to the body that are also important to sustaining a healthy immune system. A healthy diet includes fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk products. You should also limit saturated fats, cholesterol, salty snacks, and added sugars.
Exercise Regularly
Exercising 2-3 times a week helps with healthy weight management, regulating the natural sleep cycle, and reducing anxiety by increasing feel-good chemicals in our brains. All of which boost immunity in the body.
Avoid Nicotine
Avoiding smoking has been linked to a healthier body with more capacity to fight diseases. Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemical compounds. Many of them can interfere with the immune system. It is easier for disease to progress when the immune system is weak. Many lung diseases, gum diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancers are associated with nicotine consumption.
Protect Yourself From Germs
Take steps to prevent infections by practicing good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap for 20 seconds. Properly wear a face mask around others when sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with the inside of your elbow to stop germs from spreading. Lastly, avoid direct contact with items used by others. These are just a few small steps to help prevent infections.
Practice Good Sleep Habits
Getting a good night’s sleep by developing good sleep habits such as being consistent, sleeping in a quiet and dark space at a comfortable temperature, avoiding electronic use right before bedtime, and avoiding large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bed may help tremendously with insomnia.
Take Vitamins & Supplements
Adding in a few supplements, in addition to a healthy diet, can help strengthen your immune system. Try including vitamin C for overall immunity, vitamin B6 to support important reactions in your cells to help bolster immunity, Zinc, and vitamin E a powerful antioxidant that helps to fight off diseases. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to know more about these supplements.
For comprehensive immunity support, try Thorne Immune Support Bundle. This bundle includes photogenic capsules, vitamin D liquid, and zinc picolinate capsules and is available at Ella Community Pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist if these supplements are right for you.
To better support our immune cells, it is necessary to view the process as a holistic approach rather than one health segment at a time. It’s never too late to start boosting your immune system. We hope you’ll incorporate these tips for better health and immunity. For any other health or supplement inquiries, always reach out to your doctor or pharmacist for accurate information.