4 Ways to Boost Your Immune System

If there’s anything that we’ve learned from the recent pandemic, it’s how big a role our immune system plays. Individuals with strong immune systems can fight off illnesses more efficiently than immunocompromised individuals. But how can you boost your immune system? Here are four ways that you can boost your immunity so that you can continue living your best life.

Eat the Rainbow

Food is an important factor when boosting your immune system. Eating various fruits and vegetables is a good way to know if you’re getting enough vitamins in your diet. Access to healthy fats and probiotic-rich food is also important.

Fruits and vegetables aren’t just a fantastic source of nutrients – they’re also fantastic antioxidants. They are especially great at reducing inflammation throughout the body, which affects the immune system. They’re fiber-rich too, which is great for your gut flora; this, in turn, will enhance your immune system.

Healthy fats are also great immunity boosters. Olive oil, for example, is a well-known anti-inflammatory agent that fights chronic inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish, meat, and eggs are also great in fighting off inflammation. This matters because chronic inflammation impairs the immune system.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can harm your physical performance, increasing your susceptibility to falling sick. Getting enough water in your system per se won’t boost your immune system in any way, but how it affects the rest of your body does.

For example: proper hydration is important in keeping your kidneys healthy. Should your kidney become impaired, it will affect your immune response. The same goes for proper digestion; proper hydration is key in ensuring that your digestive system is in optimal health.

There is something about too much hydration, however. As a rule of thumb, you need to drink while you’re thirsty and stop when you’re not–but this isn’t always a clear-cut indicator of how much water you need. If you’re older, very active, or bigger, your body may need more fluids than what you tend to drink.

Get Vaccinated

Ensure your vaccinations are up-to-date to protect yourself against preventable illnesses like influenza or hepatitis. Think of these vaccinations as a cheat sheet for your immune system; they prepare you to face the viruses that could weaken your body.

The vaccines prime the immune system to recognize and quickly respond to viral infections. This can reduce the severity of symptoms you may experience and can even keep the illness from developing into something more severe.

Prioritize Sleep

Quality sleep is the foundation of good health. You should aim for at least 7 hours of sleep every night. That’s because inadequate sleep has been associated with higher susceptibility to illness, which indicates that it affects the immune system’s efficacy.

Conversely, it also links sufficient rest to a stronger natural immunity. Patients and sick people are encouraged to rest as much as possible to speed up recovery. Get at least seven hours of sleep every night to keep your immune system functioning optimally.

But if you’re under the weather, get medical support early to feel better faster. Visit any of the Primary Care Clinics near you to get your check-up and lab test done. You may also opt to get a check-up through our 24/7 Teleconsult service.

Reference:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-boost-immune-health

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/4-immune-boosting-strategies-that-count-right-now-202201122669

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