Ways You Can Harm Your Immune System Health
Are you one of those people who always catch the latest bugs that are going around? There’s a good chance that your immune system is the weak link in your system. Healthy immunity not only protects you from the occasional cold, but also supports your body in fighting and warding off more serious infections, bacteria, and viruses.
According to Learner, the key to fighting off infections is a strong immune system. Here are four things that can cause serious harm to the health of your immune system.
Stress
WebMD suggests just how serious the need to manage stress is. It can have a seriously negative impact on the immune system. Being exposed to ongoing stress causes the adrenal glands to produce extra cortisol to help fight it.
Unfortunately, elevated cortisol levels decrease prostaglandin production. Prostaglandins support the healthy function of your immune system. A reduction in prostaglandin production increases the risk of inflammation and immune suppression. When you experience sustained high stress, it kills immune system cells.
Poor Sleep
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute states that quality sleep is vital to the health of the immune system. Studies have shown that sleeping less than 7 hours impairs the immune system’s function. While you sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines. Some cytokine proteins promote sleep, and others will increase when you are dealing with stress, infection, or inflammation.
Additionally, when you aren’t getting enough sleep, the levels of cells and antibodies that fight infection are reduced.
No Exercise
Harvard University points to just how vital exercise is to the immune system and your overall health. Everyone needs time to sit back and relax, but uptime is just as crucial as downtime. Studies suggest that exercise provides a significant boost to the immune system, strengthening the body’s cells and helping them attack bacteria.
For those who don’t exercise, these cells work slowly. During exercise, the body produces antibodies that react to viruses- they locate them and then destroy them. Exercise also plays an integral part in the immune system, serving as the cancer surveillance system.
Poor Nutrition & Dehydration
Our bodies need the right amounts of protein, calories, vitamins, and minerals for cells to grow and function effectively. According to WebMD, without these nutrients, our immune system will grow weak, becoming less effective at finding and destroying germs and viruses. If your diet is poor, your immune system will suffer.
A healthy diet should include vegetables, low-fat milk, whole grains, and fruit. A healthy diet that effectively supports the immune system should avoid excessive consumption of processed foods, refined sugar, and other highly processed foods, as well as chemical additives and pesticides.
Additionally, StayingHealthy.org reminds us that our bodies are two-thirds water. Drinking plenty of water is crucial for your body, and most importantly, it’s great for the immune system.
By staying hydrated, your body can eliminate waste products and toxins. It makes the immune system far more efficient at fighting infection.
Dehydration also affects energy levels and your ability to sleep, which makes exercise less likely. All of these are triggers for a weak immune system.
Conclusion
We only have one immune system. We must keep it healthy and strong, avoiding behaviour that can potentially weaken it. By keeping your immune system strong, you can help your body fight infections, lifestyle diseases, and even cancer. In addition to the four ways above, smoking and alcohol can also contribute to a weakened immune system. No matter your age, it isn’t too late to make changes.