Τhere are everyday lifestyle habits you can focus on to help give your immune system what it needs to fight off an infection or illness.
Here are five science-backed ways to ensure your immune system has everything it needs to function optimally, as well as why you shouldn’t rely on supplements to boost your immune system.
Maintain a healthy diet
As with most things in your body, a healthy diet is key to a strong immune system. This means making sure you eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats.In addition to providing your immune system the energy it needs, a healthy diet can help ensure you’re getting sufficient amounts of the micronutrients that play a role in maintaining your immune system.
Exercise regularly
Physical activity isn’t just for building muscles and helping yourself de-stress — it’s also an important part of being healthy and supporting a healthy immune system.One way exercise may improve immune function is by boosting your overall circulation, making it easier for immune cells and other infection-fighting molecules to travel more easily throughout your body.
Get plenty of sleep
Sleep certainly doesn’t feel like an active process, but there are plenty of important activities happening in your body when you’re not awake — even if you don’t realize it. For instance, important infection-fighting molecules are created while you sleep.
Minimize stress
Whether it comes on quick or builds over time, it’s important to understand how stress affects your health — including the impact it has on your immune system. During a period of stress, particularly chronic stress that’s frequent and long-lasting, your body responds by initiating a stress response. This stress response, in turn, suppresses your immune system — increasing your chance of infection or illness.
Dietary supplements
If you’re looking to support your health, increase your energy levels, boost your mood and mental acuity, and even improve your chronic health condition symptoms, getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals each day is vital.While diet is the best way to get the nutrients you need, dietary supplements can be an important way to fill in the gaps.
Source: solgar.gr