How to "Boost" Your Immune System Long Term
Ok- lets make one thing clear: Its not really possible to “boost” your immune system- if you read my “What is the Immune System” blog, you’ll know that your immune health is largely dependent on your overall health based on your everyday lifestyle. There is no special trick or supplement in the world that will save you from an unfavorable lifestyle! Here are some daily things that can help to improve your immune function:
Balanced eating, whole foods, drinking water
An essential contributor to a healthy immune system is making sure your body has all of the nutrients, vitamins, and fuel it needs on a daily basis. Being well nourished allows every cell and system in your body to function properly. When you are deficient in something, your immune system’s focus is on compensating for that deficiency- therefore taking its attention away from other things like pathogens. Eating a diverse diet composed mostly of organic meats, vegetables, fruit, nuts, and seeds will contribute to a strong immune system, and a healthy body overall.
Buying organic and washing foods
Our bodies are designed to digest and metabolize foods in their natural states. If you know anything about how humans have evolved, it makes sense that we thrive on food that has not been manipulated (because… biology! chemistry!).
Unfortunately, so many pesticides and herbicides are used that even organic fruits and vegetables have trace amounts of these chemicals even though they aren’t being sprayed directly. Sure, eating trace amounts of these chemicals probably isn’t a big deal- which is why they’re approved for use. But eating trace amounts of these chemicals every day, every meal, for years on end?…
When buying produce, I recommend buying organic for things like berries because they are exposed, and ALWAYS wash them. Things like avocados and bananas aren’t as much of a concern because of their protective peel (although I would still buy organic if possible!).
CERTIFIED ORGANIC: food or products that are produced following a list of standards created by the USDA, includes: non GMO, good quality soil and water, no synthetic or toxic products used, humanely raised & grown
GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are created by scientists who use genetic engineering to alter the genetic material of an organism in a way that does not occur in nature. In other words, they manipulate the chemistry that makes up our food for certain benefits. These benefits include things like being resistant to bugs or viruses, growing bigger or faster, lasting longer, etc. all in hopes to feed more people and maximize profit. It sounds like a no brainer, it is truly amazing that we figured out how to do things like this- but there are definitely prices to pay. Research has found an increase in food allergies, synthesis of toxic compounds in the body, influencing incorrect cell function, developing antibiotic resistance, and compromising immune function as a result of regular consumption of GMOs. We still have a long way to go with researching GMOs and their effects, but those risks alone are enough for me to spend a little extra on non-GMO foods.
CERTIFIED NON-GMO: food or products that are produced following a list of standards created by the Non-GMO Project
Regularly strength training
It is true that exercise temporarily weakens the immune system just like any other stress put on the body. The cool thing is that our bodies want to move, and they are adaptation machines when it comes to physical fitness. As the body adapts to muscle building physical activity, the immune system strengthens its abilities, and triggers other important chemical reactions in the body that contribute to optimal health.
Get your hands dirty!
Give your body and immune system the exposure it needs to strengthen itself! Being afraid of germs will only lead to lack of exposure and immune experience, so when you do get out and come into contact with pathogens, your body can’t fight them off efficiently. For the most part, germs are kind of like our parents when we were teenagers- they’re annoying, they make us do things we don’t want to do, but we wouldn’t be alive without them. Germs can make you do things you don’t want to do like sneeze, cough, get a rash, maybe even vomit- but you’ll be better off in the long run, and you wouldn’t be alive without them!
When your body comes into contact with pathogens, sometimes your first line of defense fails. Technically it isn’t the virus itself making you have a runny nose. Your immune system decides it needs to take more aggressive action, so it triggers an increased production of mucous in the body. Mucous is found in the stomas (openings like the mouth, eyes, nose) of the body where pathogens can easily enter, and an increased production of mucous can help filter out a lot of those pathogens!
This is just one of the many immune responses the human body is capable of. Others include swelling/inflammation, fever, vomiting, etc.
All that to say- get your hands dirty! Don’t be afraid of these pathogens because they quite literally keep you alive. The more exposure you get (especially as a child), the more “practice” you give your immune system in identifying and fighting off pathogens!
YOU can take action, you have more control over your health than anything else. Evaluate your diet and make necessary changes (with a professional, if needed), incorporate strength training into your life, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty!
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