No matter how strong our immune systems are, it seems impossible for everyone to not get sick at all every once in a while. But what about the cold winter months if your immune system is already low? The majority of time is probably spent stuck in bed, surrounded by boxes of tissues and over-the-counter cold and flu medicines. However, it doesn't have to be that way, and this article aims to explain some of the best ways to strengthen your immune system until its in tip-top shape, with pointers on everything from diet to exercise to stress levels.
For starters, your diet is the cornerstone of your immune system strength, since the food we feed ourselves is truly our bodies fuel, and to run with optimum performance, we need to be running on the most efficient and cleanest fuel possible. It is absolutely essential to incorporate as many fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your diet as possible, and keep it to a minimum with foods high in fat or sugar. A general rule of thumb: if it is raw, it is good for you; if it is processed, it is bad for you.
Vitamins A, B, C and E are also wonderful for your immune system, as are antioxidants, so consuming foods high in all of those is a great way to boost your immune system. A diet heavy in greens (such as kale, spinach and broccoli) as well as plenty of other veggies and fruits (especially mushrooms, carrots, sweet potatoes, nuts, seeds, berries, bell peppers, citrus fruits, and even lean meats) can be healthy staples of your diet that will help encourage the strongest immune system possible. All of the vitamins and minerals contained within help the body to fight off infections easier and are simply good for your overall health in general.
A healthy diet is generally the first step towards an overall healthy lifestyle, which includes incorporating daily exercise (even in moderate doses), and keeping your body fat content at an appropriate weight, and lowering your stress level. All of these systems work together in one little nicely-tied-up package, as a healthy diet and regular exercise lowers your stress and begets a healthy weight, much as maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly demands a healthy diet and naturally keeps stress levels lower, and so on. Cutting out foods that are high in sugar and fat is essential, and by doing all of these things you will also lessen your stress level, which is another contributing factor to a weak immune system. When faced with chronic stress your body over-produces both cortisol and adrenaline, two stress hormones that can actually boost your immune system in small doses, but can only repress it.
Keeping stress levels low is also incredibly important. When your body is under chronic stress, your cortisol and adrenaline remain excessively high, which represses your immune system over time (versus actually boosting it slightly such as when short term stress happens). Additionally, three other easy techniques will help to boost your immune system to its highest potency. Wash your hands often, get plenty of sleep, and consume alcohol moderately.
For starters, your diet is the cornerstone of your immune system strength, since the food we feed ourselves is truly our bodies fuel, and to run with optimum performance, we need to be running on the most efficient and cleanest fuel possible. It is absolutely essential to incorporate as many fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your diet as possible, and keep it to a minimum with foods high in fat or sugar. A general rule of thumb: if it is raw, it is good for you; if it is processed, it is bad for you.
Vitamins A, B, C and E are also wonderful for your immune system, as are antioxidants, so consuming foods high in all of those is a great way to boost your immune system. A diet heavy in greens (such as kale, spinach and broccoli) as well as plenty of other veggies and fruits (especially mushrooms, carrots, sweet potatoes, nuts, seeds, berries, bell peppers, citrus fruits, and even lean meats) can be healthy staples of your diet that will help encourage the strongest immune system possible. All of the vitamins and minerals contained within help the body to fight off infections easier and are simply good for your overall health in general.
A healthy diet is generally the first step towards an overall healthy lifestyle, which includes incorporating daily exercise (even in moderate doses), and keeping your body fat content at an appropriate weight, and lowering your stress level. All of these systems work together in one little nicely-tied-up package, as a healthy diet and regular exercise lowers your stress and begets a healthy weight, much as maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly demands a healthy diet and naturally keeps stress levels lower, and so on. Cutting out foods that are high in sugar and fat is essential, and by doing all of these things you will also lessen your stress level, which is another contributing factor to a weak immune system. When faced with chronic stress your body over-produces both cortisol and adrenaline, two stress hormones that can actually boost your immune system in small doses, but can only repress it.
Keeping stress levels low is also incredibly important. When your body is under chronic stress, your cortisol and adrenaline remain excessively high, which represses your immune system over time (versus actually boosting it slightly such as when short term stress happens). Additionally, three other easy techniques will help to boost your immune system to its highest potency. Wash your hands often, get plenty of sleep, and consume alcohol moderately.
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