A healthy immune system is a sign of well-being. To prevent infections and illnesses from affecting us and making us ill, a robust immune system is essential. So, how strong is your immunity?
Immunity is still very much on people’s minds as we remain confronted by a global pandemic. If you are not sure of the state of your immune system, Dr Owen Wiseman proffers six indicators of a robust immune system:
- You have good gut health – So how do you know if you have a variety of healthy gut bacteria? Consuming different foods is essential. Learn what you can endure by experimenting with a variety of foods.
- You eat a nutritious diet – Some things to remember is to eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables that are rich in vitamins A and C like sweet potatoes, carrots, citrus fruit and berries. Try to work a few of these into each meal. Cut down on packet foods and try cooking your foods from scratch so you get the best quality of your diet.
- You enjoy drinking water – Adequate hydration promotes healthy circulation. Improved blood flow can facilitate normal healing processes. Through internal hydration, water also keeps your skin healthy.
- You recover quickly from the flu and cold – A more accurate measure of how effectively your immune system is functioning is how quickly you recover after getting sick. It may be a sign that your immune system is having trouble if your symptoms persist for a week or more.
- You get good sleep – Going to bed at a reasonable hour and getting quality sleep can both have a significant regulatory impact on your immune system. Your immune system can mend and recover during this downtime since the body is not under as much stress.
- You enjoy a good laugh! – Research has revealed that laughing has favourable, immune-boosting effects, which may be at least in part due to laughter’s ability to reduce stress.
If your immune system appears to be struggling or not functioning at its maximum capacity, some quick tips to revamp it and get you back on track are:
- Keep abreast of recommended vaccinations. Your immune system is intelligent, but vaccinations help it become even more so by teaching it how to identify and combat particular diseases. Your immune system will learn much more safely through vaccination than through direct contact with these potential diseases.
- Maintain a healthy diet. Eating a well-balanced diet is the best method to help your immune system because experts believe that your body absorbs vitamins more effectively from food sources than from supplements.
- Regular exercise can help your immune system by increasing circulation, which facilitates the movement of immune cells and other substances that fight infections throughout your body. According to studies, even just 30 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous exercise can boost your immune system.
- Hydrate yourself thoroughly. Water makes up the majority of lymph, fluid in your circulatory system that transports vital immune cells across your body to combat infections. Dehydration slows down lymphatic flow, which can occasionally compromise the immune system. Make sure you’re replenishing the water you lose with water you can utilize to strengthen your immune system, which begins with understanding how much water you should be drinking each day.
- Get lots of sleep – Although it may not seem like it, your body is engaged in several vital processes while you are asleep. For instance, vital chemicals that fight infections are produced while you sleep. According to studies, persons who don’t get enough good sleep are more likely to become ill after being exposed to viruses like the ones that cause the common cold.
- Reduce stress – Everyone handles stress differently, and this also holds for how we cope with it. Your body reacts to stress by starting what is known as a stress reaction, especially when that stress is persistent, ongoing, and frequent. It’s designed to assist you in managing the demanding circumstances you’ll encounter. Unfortunately, this reaction also weakens your immune system, raising your risk of getting sick or infected.
So try some immune-boosting beverages like:
- Orange, grapefruit and other citrus juice
- Green apple, carrot and orange juice
- Beet, carrot, ginger and apple juice
- Tomato juice
- Kale, tomato and celery juice
- Strawberry and kiwi juice
- Strawberry and mango juice
- Watermelon mint juice
- Pumpkin seed juice
- Green apple, lettuce and kale juice
Keep your immune system strong so that you remain healthy, work efficiently, learn properly and live long. Remember: ATAFOM UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL CARES!!!