If a person were to have the weakest of immune systems, simply breathing in outside air or touching a door knob would cause severe, irreversible health issues and possibly death. But even without such an extreme case, a lackluster immune system can still cause a host of debilitating ailments.
Fortunately, ensuring your immunity is in tip-top shape is simple and feasible and offers plenty of transformative health benefits!
Your immune system is a complex, interrelated system of cells and organs that support one another to help you handle attacks by bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and other pathogens. While there isn’t just one thing you can do to strengthen your immune system, there are day-to-day commitments you can make to boost your immunity overall.
Surefire Ways to Strengthen Your Immune System
Dedicate your food consumption to raw plants.
Bursting with macronutrients and micronutrients, raw plant-based foods instantly feed your cells with active nutrients, target inflammation and combat free-radical damage that causes everything from premature aging to heart disease to cancer and, of course, a weak immune system. A diet comprising 85% raw vegetables is the single best way to keep your immune system in check. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, “Malnutrition is the most common cause of immunodeficiency in the world.”
Detoxify your body.
Boosting your immune system involves bathing your cells with raw and active nutrients, but also getting rid of toxins and preventing the accumulation of them. If you’re not constantly detoxing, the bad stuff circulates inside your body and progressively impairs your immune system. Make sure you drink plenty of clean water and eat lots of fiber every day.
Supplement your diet with even more nutrition.
Due to the decreasing levels of nutrients in food from agricultural practices, along with your increasing need for nutrients as you age, it’s a great idea to treat your cells to a daily surge of nutrition by juicing greens and taking whole-food supplements. For an ultra-convenient juice, drink water with BarleyMax, which contains an extremely high level of active enzymes. If you’re looking for an extra dose of vitamin C, try Liposomal Vitamin C, which shuttles the nutrient directly to your bloodstream.
Minimize your intake of sugar.
A small amount of fresh fruits is totally fine, but excess sugar, especially the artificial variety, weakens the immune system.
Don’t ever let yourself be dehydrated.
Drinking pure, filtered water instantly alleviates your physical need to quench your thirst, but water does so much more for your immunity as well as your overall health. Clean water is key to healthy immunity since it helps oxygenate the blood, enabling the immune sytsem to function optimally, while helping to flush out toxins. On that note, avoiding caffeine and alchohol are great steps, too, since those substances immediately dehyrated your entire body.
Keep moving.
In an article published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, exercising has a direct impact on your immune system. One well-known theory, in their words: “Exercise causes changes in antibodies and white blood cells (the body's immune system cells that fight disease). These antibodies or white blood cells circulate more rapidly, so they could detect illnesses earlier than they might have before.”
Manage your stress.
While short bursts of stress are an inevitable part of life, chronic stress is incredibly damaging to your immunity. In one study, students who were very stressed prior to taking an exam saw “fewer natural killer cells, which fight tumors and viral infections… and almost stopped producing immunity-boosting gamma interferon and infection-fighting T-cells.” Make meaningful changes to help you cope with both everyday conflicts and life-changing events. Allot time every single day to connect with God by singing, praying, reading His Word and practicing gratitude.
Sleep well every night.
When you don’t get a sufficient amount of sleep, fewer cells and antibodies that fight infections are produced, making you more prone to disease. In fact, a report in the medical journal
Sleep suggests that your immune system responds to lack of sleep like it does with major stress.
Adopt habits that minimize the likelihood of sickness.
On top of nurturing you’re your immune system, you should also employ a first line of defense by taking extra precautions with your lifestyle and environment. Wash your hands and keep them away from your face. Focus on clean hygiene. Stay out of closed environments that breed toxic air. Avoid areas where people are smoking cigarettes.
Whether it’s protecting yourself from the slow formation of disease or fending off short-term ailments, your immune system is your #1 shield and provides you with the foundation for truly vibrant living and well-being. Don’t ignore it today, or ever!
Sources:
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/micronutrients-health/immunity
http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system
http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/six-ways-you-can-help-your-immune-system
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007165.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/expert-answers/lack-of-sleep/faq-20057757
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22754039
http://www.apa.org/research/action/immune.aspx
