Modern medical practices have paved the way for healthcare professionals to prevent, treat, and even cure various forms of illness and disease. While a majority of medical advancements have undoubtedly improved quality of life or extended life expectancy, it’s important to remember that taking care of your body and paying attention to your immune response is essential to your health and wellbeing. So much so, that with the proper care and preventative action, a well boosted immune system can not only act as a preventative measure but can also help minimize the duration and severity of illness. Let’s take a look at some natural ways you can boost your immune system and combat illness.
Increase Whole Plant and Plant-Based Foods
Your diet is one of the most critical health factors when it comes to the condition of your immune system. Aside from contributing to weight loss or gain, the food you consume correlates to your immune response and how your body reacts to different ailments. Whole plant foods like fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts are packed with various nutrients and antioxidants that boost your immune system . Plant-derived food is a strong fighter of inflammation, which is regularly linked to many health conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis, heart disease, and other auto-immune illnesses.
Reduce Processed Foods and Added Sugars
Added sugars are a standard ingredient in many of the processed foods you’ll find in your local grocery store. While some of these foods may satisfy a sweet tooth, regular consumption can lead to obesity, increased inflammation, and various chronic health conditions that directly attack your immune system and influence how it responds. Chronic illnesses such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes are often a result of obesity and poor nutrition. A healthy diet with limited consumption of added sugars is a great way to prevent illness
Regular Physical Activity
Regular exercise and physical activity can be challenging to incorporate into your daily routine. However, simple forms of exercise are essential to your overall health and contribute much more than just the benefit of staying in shape. According to a Harvard Health article, exercise promotes proper circulation throughout your body, increases oxygen flow to your cells helping your cells regenerate; a key part of your immune function.
Be Mindful of Stress Level
High-stress levels impact your physical health just as much as your mental wellbeing. It’s not uncommon to have a physical reaction from a high-stress situation; increased in heart rate, hives, and stomach upset have all been linked to emotional stress. Harvard Health’s article also mentioned the impact stress has on the physical body is still undergoing many studies, as conducting accurate “controlled experiments” on human beings proves to be more subjective and challenging.
Don’t Forget Your Vitamins
Supplements like Vitamin C, D, Zinc, and Magnesium are extremely important for boosting your immune system. They have been proven to improve immune response, help reduce inflammation in the body, and fight off stress. It is not uncommon, however, to have deficiencies in Zinc of Vitamin D, so supplements can be used as a preventative measure to keep your immune system boosted.