Your immune system is your body’s defense against illness and disease. While you can’t control when you catch a cold or flu, you can take measures to strengthen your immune system and reduce the frequency of illnesses.
What is the Immune System?
The immune system is a network of organs, tissues, cells, and substances that fight disease by creating antibodies that neutralize and destroy pathogens. Your immune system can be compared to an army continually fighting invisible battles against harmful bacteria, viruses, and other invaders.
Why is a Healthy Immune System Important?
A healthy immune system is vital because it helps protect you from various diseases, infections, and other health concerns. When the system is strong, it can recognize pathogens and bacteria that might cause you harm. Your body produces antibodies to neutralize the pathogens and flush them out of your body. A healthy immune system also helps you recover from injuries and heal more quickly than someone with a weakened immune system.
7 Ways To Naturally Improve Your Health
1. Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is one of the best ways to improve overall health. A balanced diet with abundant fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein will naturally provide a good balance of antioxidants and vitamins. These foods contain vitamins and minerals that help strengthen your immune system and help keep you healthy.
2. Drink Plenty of Water
Each person varies, but try to drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Your body gets dehydrated after hours of sleep, so drinking a glass of water when you wake up is an excellent way to start your day. Setting reminders during the day can help you increase your water intake. Drinking 8 ounces before each meal is another good way to get enough water daily.
3. Get Enough Sleep
Sleep is crucial for maintaining good health. Being well-rested helps your body heal, repair, and rejuvenate. Sleep will also help improve your memory and focus, enabling you to perform better when awake. You might not associate all these things with sleep, but they’re all critical to your overall health.
4. Stay Active
Regular exercise has been shown to improve the function of your immune system. Exercising helps strengthen your muscles and bones, which can help you recover faster from illnesses and injuries. Being active also helps you sleep better and reduce stress, which is vital in maintaining your overall well-being.
5. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Excess weight can impact how your body functions. Obesity is generally defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more in adults and is linked to impaired immune functions. Obesity may also decrease vaccine effectiveness for numerous diseases, including influenza, hepatitis B, and tetanus. If you need help with weight loss, the Shape ReClaimed Program has helped numerous people with weight loss by decreasing inflammation within the body.
6. Stop Smoking
Cigarette smoking is associated with numerous diseases and can make your body less successful at fighting illness and disease. Smoking increases the risk of serious immune system problems, including rheumatoid arthritis. Stopping smoking will improve your immune system and your overall health. Talk to a doctor about ways to quit smoking.
7. Avoid Too Much Alcohol
Too much alcohol harms your body. Drinking too much on a single occasion slows your body’s ability to fight off infections – even up to 24 hours later. Excessive drinking includes binge, heavy, and any drinking by pregnant women. Binge drinking is the most common form of excessive drinking and is defined for women as consuming four or more drinks during a single occasion and five or more on a single occasion for men.
A Healthy Body Depends On a Strong Immune System
Your immune system is critical in protecting you from illness and disease. When it’s operating at peak performance, you’re less likely to get sick or experience serious illness when you do. Healthy habits are the best way to protect your health and promote overall well-being.
Call The Bluffs Chiropractic & Family Wellness Team
If you’re ready to take the next step in achieving pain relief and overall wellness, contact The Bluffs Chiropractic & Family Wellness team today. Dr. Joshua Lippincott has been serving patients for over 12 years and is passionate about helping people achieve their best health. Contact us online or call (636) 326-2525 to schedule your initial consultation.