Taking care of your body and helping to support a healthy immune system has always been a critical component to maintaining good health. Now, more than ever, following the COVID-19 pandemic, people are paying even more attention to supporting their immune system. There are plenty of good practices everyone can implement into their health routine to help support a functioning immune system.
Before we explore ways to help support your immune system, it is important to acknowledge the definition of our immune system. This word is often thrown around by people without a full understanding of what it really means. So, what is an immune system?
What is the Immune System?
The immune system is an association of cells, tissues, enzymes, and organs which all work together to help protect your body from injuries, infections, and diseases. You can think of your immune system as a defense line against harmful external invaders like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other toxins.
The immune system can be quite complex, but the basic premise always applies: supporting your own immune system is essential to maintaining good health. When your immune system is weakened, your body may struggle to fight off diseases and viruses.
Supporting your Immune System
Check out these ways to help strengthen your immune system:
Watching Your Diet
Being mindful of your diet is always important, but it is essential to maintaining a healthy immune system. Avoid consuming large amounts of processed foods that are high in sugar, as they can weaken the immune system. Eating a well-rounded diet with nutrient-dense foods will help to support your immune system.
Some examples of foods to help support your immune system include fruits and vegetables high in Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Beta-Carotene. Eating good quality sources of protein can help support your immune system too. Some examples include nuts and seeds, meats, and dairy products.
Get Enough Sleep
A good night’s sleep helps your body recover and lets your immune system work properly. Lack of sleep can reduce the number of T cells in your body, which disrupts how the immune system works. Therefore, make sure you are getting enough good quality sleep each night so your immune system can work well.
To encourage good sleep, limit excessive caffeine intake and aim to get on a sleep schedule that your body can adapt to over time.
Supplementation
Though these practices can help encourage a healthy immune system, sometimes we need extra support. You are sure to have heard about Vitamin C helping boost your immune system, but there are many micronutrients and minerals which are required for a fully functioning immune system.
Standard Process Immuplex is a well-blended supplement to help give your immune system an extra boost this winter. This supplement helps support your body’s immune response via a combination of whole food and antioxidant support. The proprietary blend includes a research-backed blend of complex nutrients designed to help support your body’s inflammatory response and support everyday immune function.
Exercise
Did you know that daily exercise has been shown to help support positive immune responses? Whether you enjoy working out at the gym or in the comfort of your own home, healthy movement and activity levels can help encourage your overall immune system health.
Limiting Stress
In our day-to-day lives, we all experience varying levels of stressors. Too much stress can wreak havoc on your immune system’s ability to function correctly. Relaxing activities like mindfulness and yoga can help encourage lowered stress levels and thus indirectly help your immune system.
Cut out Substances
Smoking can weaken your immune system over time. If possible, aiming to cut smoking out can really help improve a weak immune system. The same goes for excessive alcohol consumption, which can impair your body’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens. Consume alcohol in moderation to encourage a healthy immune system.
These simple lifestyle changes can be implemented right away to help support your immune system this winter. Each and every one of your individual health and lifestyle choices all come together to make or break your body’s ability to fight off viruses and bacterias which make us sick. Give these suggestions a try to help limit your chances of getting sick so you can spend more time doing the things you love!
Build Your Immune System Naturally