Can you really boost your Immune System?

Can I really ‘boost’ my immune system?

Your immune system is made up of a number of different cells, organs and proteins.

All of these work together, to help protect your body from bacteria, fungi and toxins and this helps to stop you from getting ill, from viruses or infections.

If you feel like you are always getting ill, catching bugs and colds and never quite feeling yourself, then you may be wondering exactly how you can boost your immune system.

Unfortunately, “boosting your immune system” is actually a myth.

However, although it cannot be boosted, there are several things you can do to support it and ensure that it is functioning normally.

Here is your guide to supporting your immune system.

Can I naturally boost my immune system?

We have said to you that it is not possible to actually “boost” your immune system, but there are several things you can do to naturally support it.

The first is to ensure that you are getting enough sleep each night, as poor quality sleep can make you more susceptible to getting ill.

In a recent study of healthy adults, those who got fewer than six hours sleep each night were more likely to catch a cold. So investing in a good mattress, keeping off electronic devices and getting an early night could really pay dividends, when it comes to your health.

Now that your sleep is sorted, it is time to look at your diet. You should ensure that you are eating plenty of fruit and vegetables each day, which are rich in both antioxidants and immune system supporting vitamins, such as vitamin C.

It is not new advice but it really can make a difference.

What are the signs of a weak immune system?

The main sign that your immune system is weak is that you are susceptible to infections.

On average, most people splutter and sniff their way through two or three colds per year. But if you are getting more than that, then it may just be a sign that your immune system is weak.

If you often suffer from digestive issues such as constipation, flatulence and diarrhoea, this could also be a sign of a weakened immune system.

Almost 70% of your immune system can be found within the digestive tract and so when the good bacteria count in your gut is low, this can leave you at greater risk of viruses and infections.

What can cause a low immune system?

Stress is one of the biggest causes of a weakened, or compromised, immune system.

People who are under excessive or prolonged stress are more likely to fall ill than others.

Lifestyle factors, such as smoking, drinking alcohol and a poor diet can also negatively affect your immune system.

At what age does your immune system weaken?

Ah yes, another joy of ageing! As we get older, our immune system naturally starts to gradually deteriorate.

This start to affect your health around the age of 60 and then continues to decline the older you get.

What are the best vitamins to help the immune system?

Some of the best vitamins for the immune system include vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A and vitamin D.

You should therefore ensure that your diet is rich in these vitamins, in order to help support your immune system.

Vitamin D can also be produced by the body through direct exposure to sunlight, so make sure that you are spending plenty of time outside in the sun when you can.

If you do not feel like you are getting enough of these vital vitamins through your diet alone, then you may want to consider adding a food supplement to your daily routine.