At a time where viral diseases are easily passed on from one person to the next, to boost the immune system is the best defense our bodies can have.
Unfortunately, fast-paced lifestyles don’t always leave room for healthy habits. It is easier to pick up greasy takeaway fast food on your way home from work rather than put in the effort of cooking up a hearty meal.
Unless we start making conscious choices on our daily routines, healthy goals will remain just that—goals. No worries, you’re not required to disregard all of your previous habits overnight. Habits are formed when you do them consistently, over a period of time.
This article will help list a few things that might help you get started on healthy living and give a much-needed boost to your immune system.
Overview of the Immune System
The general function of the immune system is to prevent or limit infection in the human body. This makes it an effective guard system against foreign microbes, bacteria, and viruses that try to invade the body. It immediately responds to cells that have been infected.
In many cases, however, the immune system either fails to respond or is activated without any real threat. The former usually causes an infection that can become fatal if left untreated. On the other hand, the latter often signals autoimmune diseases.
The entire system contains cells, antibodies, lymph nodes, and other components located in varying central parts of the body. This includes vital organs. They are responsible for building up immunity against many diseases that have long plagued humanity.
By understanding how it functions and protects you against harmful bioagents, a boost in the immune system could not only save your lives but those around you as well.
What are the Signs of a Weak Immune System?
Someone with a weak immune system could suffer from frequent infections and allergies. In some cases, a boost in the immune system is not enough. Genetic disorders or other factors may hinder their immunity response. This condition is called being immunocompromised.
Certain types of cancer, hepatitis, HIV, malnutrition, chemotherapy, and other forms of medical treatments can often result in a weak immune system. When the immune system is down, viral infections can have a devastating effect on the body.
This could lead to being more prone to infections like pneumonia, meningitis, kidney failure, heart disease, and other fatal consequences. These diseases can also become recurring and be more difficult to treat.
For common and mild cases of a weakened immune system, the symptoms usually include fatigue, loss of appetite, the onset of the common cold, fluctuating blood pressure, digestive problems, and body pains.
What can I Take Daily to Boost My Immune System?
Parents are highly recommended to have their children vaccinated at birth. Adults are also advised to keep their vaccines updated. However, vaccines are not a panacea as those with compromised immune systems can develop complications from taking them.
A healthy diet is the most optimal choice for a strong immune system. The body needs vitamins, organic compounds that are sometimes self-producing and other times need to come from outside sources.
With the rise in vitamins or supplement trends in the health community, it’s easy to pop in a capsule and get your daily dose on-the-go.
CBD Oil
One of the newer products on the market that people can help boost your immune system is the best CBD oil. Its main active ingredient is the cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD), which is abundant in hemp plants.
Unlike THC, this compound is non-psychoactive. Ingesting it does not induce a high in users. It is mostly bought in varying forms such as capsules, tinctures, topicals, and candies.
Many have found multiple health benefits from using CBD oil including pain relief, soothing anxiety, and aid in sleeping. Recent studies have also found that CBD could positively boost the immune system.
More specifically, it’s attributed to the cannabinoid’s anti-inflammatory properties and how it could help with infections and inflammations.
Experts have found that CBD’s molecular structure is identical to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Its effectiveness in suppressing inflammation could be a vital response to isolate infected areas and avoid the spread of infection.
CBD is also just as effective as a daily source of vitamins and minerals. Overall, cannabidiol is a well-known supplement for those who want to try something different but recommended by many.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the biggest immunity boosters out there. In fact, many studies link a deficiency of vitamin C to a weaker immunity response. Also known by its chemical name ascorbic acid, the body itself cannot produce nor store the compound.
It is vital that your diet consists of eating and drinking food, fruits, and vegetables that are rich in this vitamin.
On average, experts recommend an intake of at least 1,000 mg to 2,000 mg of the vitamin daily. There are many foods rich in vitamin C including citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, tomatoes, and strawberries. It is also present in green vegetables like spinach, broccoli, and bell peppers.
Supplements that mostly contain vitamin C are also available in many grocery stores and wellness shops.
How to Boost Immune System
If you are an otherwise healthy individual, vaccines are recommended to boost your immune system.
Apart from this, you can also help the process of strengthening your antibodies by taking vitamins and minerals daily, eating healthy fats and needed nutrients, and getting enough and proper sleep.
Avoiding too much stress and getting enough rest are also key to keeping in good shape. For a healthy immune system to function well, your best bet is to give your body what it needs. This includes practices and habits that could help keep you in better shape.
Getting Enough Sleep
Sleep and immunity are closely tied together. Inadequate or poor-quality sleep is linked to many sicknesses. Sleeping disorders can also manifest due to poor health and vice versa. A recommended seven to ten hours of sleep can result in more productivity and less fatigue.
Sleep deprivation can also hinder natural immunity. As the body heals and protects itself, it also needs rest and sleep is the best way to attain that. Additionally, try to create a good sleeping habit by going to bed at a consistent time.
Disrupting your circadian rhythm or your natural body clock can result in sleep deprivation. It can also disrupt the production of white blood cells, which can in turn affect your immune system. Depending on your lifestyle, make adjustments to improve your sleep cycle.
Exercising Regularly
Any form of exercise is good for your cardiovascular health. If done in moderation and consistency, it can give a good boost to your immune system as well as keep you in the best shape, physical-wise.
Sweating also helps get rid of toxins and unhealthy fats that the body might have accumulated over time. Be careful not to overdo it, though, as intense exercise has also been linked to several health complications.
Brisk walking, bicycling, jogging, swimming, and dancing are all forms of physical activity you can try right at home. The average period for physical exertion should be around one to two hours at most.
Drink Plenty of Water
Staying hydrated is vital to your body’s overall health. It doesn’t necessarily keep out microbes and viruses, but drinking plenty of fluids keeps organs in good shape. This in turn could help them function better and regulate the production of antibodies from your immune system.
Dehydration can be due to severe loss of fluids caused by varying factors such as intense environmental heat, excessive sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, and the like.
Water is your best choice as it is free of calories, sugar, and additives.
If you want to make your water taste interesting, try detox water infused with fruits and herbs like lemon and mint. Hydrating foods, like cucumbers, celery, or watermelon, are also good options.
Avoid Excessive Alcohol and Smoking
Studies have long observed a correlation between excessive alcohol consumption and smoking with a negative impact on the immune function.
These include increased susceptibility to pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndromes (ARDS), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and certain types of cancers.
Drinking and smoking also prevent wounds and infections from healing faster, and cold and flu to go away longer.
Alcohol is a strong substance that could damage the liver eventually. Nicotine is also one addictive compound that creates dependency and attacks immune cells. These habits can also affect equilibrium and even mess with the brain’s capacity to function well.
Is CBD Legal? Hemp-derived CBD products (with less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal on the federal level. Moreover, these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and products that have not been FDA approved. Likewise, you must be at least 21 years old to purchase these products. Talk to your physician or medical doctor for additional information.