There’s no way to remarkably strengthen your immune system but there is a selection of surefire ways that can help support your immune system, keep it in top shape and prepare it to do its job when needed.
One tried and tested way? A healthy lifestyle [1]. That’s right, by making a few tweaks in your day to day life you could improve your immune system over time. These changes include:
- Don’t smoke
- Eat a diet high in fruit and vegetable
- Exercise regularly
- Drink alcohol in moderation
- Manage your stress levels
Can you boost your immune system?
With so much research still required to know more about what makes the immune system tick, there’s no known overnight cure to improve it. That said, making a few healthy changes to your everyday life could help strengthen your immune system over time.
Don’t smoke
Known to bring with it many complications, smoking is primarily responsible for compromising the balance of the immune system - this can increase the risk of autoimmune disorders and ultimately weaken your immune system [2].
See also: What Happens When You Quit Smoking?
Eat a diet high in fruit and vegetables
Though further research is needed, providing your body with certain foods might help keep your immune system strong [3]. That said, filling your diet with foods packed with healthy vitamins and minerals is always a good idea, as is monitoring your vitamin levels on a regular basis.
See also: What Are The Functions of Vitamins?
Exercise regularly
As many of us know, regular exercise brings with it plenty of positive effects - it can improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure and ultimately contributes to good health - including a healthy immune system [4].
Drink alcohol in moderation
Drinking alcohol in excessive amounts can weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to serious infections [5].
Manage your stress levels
In a series of studies undertaken by Carnegie Mellon University, a number of volunteers were exposed to the virus which causes the common cold and then quarantined for observation. It was found that those who reported less stress in their lives were less likely to develop symptoms of the common cold [6].
See also: Stressed Out? The Dangers Of High Cortisol And Stress
With proper intake of vitamins being an important part of maintaining a healthy immune system - it’s important to keep an eye on your vitamin levels and monitor them regularly.
LetsGetChecked’s at-home Vitamin Deficiency test identifies key deficiencies in Vitamin B12, Vitamin D or both - each of which play a vital role in regulating your immune system function.
You should take the Essential Vitamin test if:
- You want to improve your overall health
- You are suffering from chronic fatigue
- You are following a plant-based diet
- You are planning on becoming pregnant
- You are over the age of 50
- You suffer from Crohn's disease
- You suffer from Celiac disease
- You are deficient in the intrinsic factor, a glycoprotein which plays an important role in absorbing vitamin B12
- You are going through the menopause
- You are at risk of developing osteoporosis
References
- Harvard Health Publishing. How to boost your immune system. Online: Health.harvard.edu, 2014
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking and overall health. Online: Cdc.gov
- Harvard Health Publishing. How to boost your immune system. Online: Health.harvard.edu, 2014
- Harvard Health Publishing. How to boost your immune system. Online: Health.harvard.edu, 2014
- NHS. Alcohol Misuse. Online: NHS.uk, 2018
6. Carnegie Mellon University. The Common Cold Project. Online: Cmu.edu
