Friday, 8 March 2013

Boosting Your Immune System Through Healthy Living

By Emily Baker


No matter who you are, it seems quite impossible to keep yourself from getting sick ever, even with a strong immune system. But what for those with an already low immune system, especially in the winter months? Days are filled with boxes of Kleenex and over-the-counter medicines. However, there are certain measures you can take to make your immune system as strong as it can be, and this article will give you some tips on how to do that.

For starters, your diet is the cornerstone of your immune system strength, since the food we feed ourselves is truly our bodies fuel, and to run with optimum performance, we need to be running on the most efficient and cleanest fuel possible. It is absolutely essential to incorporate as many fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your diet as possible, and keep it to a minimum with foods high in fat or sugar. A general rule of thumb: if it is raw, it is good for you; if it is processed, it is bad for you.

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.

Additionally, keeping your stress levels as low as possible is another great way to boost your immune system. Stress releases both cortisol and adrenaline in one's body, and while these two stress hormones can help boost your immune system when present in small doses, it will eventually repress it when there is too much present. Also, don't forget these three easy tips that will never fail to help your immune system get as strong as possible: wash your hands with frequency, get plenty of sleep, and consume alcohol only in moderation.




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