Our immune systems age much like any other part of the body. Staying up for half the night in our teens and 20s only to get up the next day without missing a beat came easy and with minimal repercussions. Once we reach our 30s, 40s, and 50s, we know we’ll pay a price for pushing the limit as we did before. The body’s immune system takes longer to respond. Over-taxed cells and systems take longer to heal.
The risk of developing chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease also increases as the body slows down. For these reasons, supporting and strengthening the body’s immune system health becomes necessary with age. Fortunately, there are things you can do to strengthen your immune system health, many of which have to do with diet and nutrition.
The Hallelujah Diet offers a plant-based eating alternative that works to support and strengthen the body’s cells, chemical processes, and major systems, including the immune system. Ultimately, most every lifestyle choice you make has an impact on immune system health, so it’s important to choose wisely along the way. For now, here are five things you can start doing right now to help strengthen your immune system.
Eat Lots of Fruits & Vegetables
A healthy immune system starts at the cellular level. The individual T-cells and B-cells that make up your immune system require adequate nutrition to function effectively. Fruits and vegetables are the “meat and potatoes” of the Hallelujah Diet, containing a wealth of carotenoids, antioxidants, and flavonoids. These nutrients are exactly what T and B cells need to build, repair, and multiply. By making fruits and vegetables a central part of your daily diet, you face
a lower risk of chronic diseases, including:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
- Stroke
Replace Animal Fats with Foods Rich in Omega Fatty Acids
Animal-based, saturated fats not only clog up your arteries but also
wreak havoc on the body’s immune system response. Saturated fats also disrupt the “good” vs “bad” bacteria ratio in your gut. Since 80 percent of the immune system resides in the gut, a diet high in saturated fats can weaken your immune health in a big way. The Hallelujah Diet replaces animal-based fats with vegetables and supplements that contain high levels of omega fatty acids, such as chia seeds and flaxseeds and/or oil and a clean fish oil. Omega fatty acids have the opposite effect, boosting immune system activity, which helps the body fight off disease-causing bacteria before they take root.
Consider Taking a Daily Probiotic Supplement
The “good” bacteria inside your gut flora plays a pivotal role in keeping harmful materials from entering the bloodstream. In this respect, good bacteria help regulate inflammation throughout the body by controlling what goes into the bloodstream and what’s excreted.
Our Hallelujah Diet probiotic supplement is designed to boost immune system health by lining the digestive tract with good bacteria. When the number of good bacteria outnumbers the bad, your immune system health improves.
Keep Stress to a Minimum
While a certain degree of stress can be a good thing, high levels or ongoing stress really does a number on your immune system health. Stress triggers the release of corticosteroid, a hormone that lowers the number of white blood cells (T cells) in the body. Stress also interferes with digestive system functions, disrupting healthy nutrient absorption. Finding an outlet for stress like yoga or taking up a hobby can help keep your immune system going strong.
Exercise Regularly
Exercising on a regular basis has widespread health benefits, including strengthening the immune system. Exercise promotes good circulation, which helps T cells and B cells circulate through the body at a faster rate. These conditions help your immune system detect threats sooner rather than later. Physical activity also helps flush harmful bacteria out of the lungs and airways, which lowers the risk of catching a cold or the flu.
The Hallelujah Diet – Strengthening Your Immune System the Natural Way
Immune system health begins at the cellular level where the building and repair of the body take place. Ensuring cells receive the nutrients they need to carry out these tasks goes a long way toward supporting immune system health. The Hallelujah Diet not only meets the body’s nutritional needs but the different foods that make up our diet all work together to help the body fully absorb available nutrients.
Strengthening your immune system is as easy as eating the types of foods that feed the body’s natural self-healing abilities. When combined with regular exercise and stress management practices, healthy eating enables the body to be and feel its very best at any age.