The Immune System Army Within

While you are sitting, standing, working, or sleeping, you have a well-oiled machine inside of you fighting and warding off bacteria and antigens that can make you sick. This strong, capable army is your immune system with many parts all playing a role to help you stay healthy, by continuously fighting the onslaught of bacteria and viruses that want to invade your body. While it is capable of doing extraordinary feats on its own, there are ways to make your immune system even stronger.

One of the best things about enhancing one’s immune system is that it doesn't always have to involve buying expensive vitamins and supplements. For starters, a trip to your own fridge or pantry may reveal plenty of immune-boosting foods already in your possession. It is also the starting point from which you can begin to modify your diet so that your food intake includes plenty of fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables.

How to Naturally Boost Your Immune System

Below are five of many ways you can start today on the path to a healthier lifestyle and give your immune system a boost at the same time. If you are on medications, any changes to your diet should be first approved by your doctor.

1. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. As immune-boosting celebrities, fruits and veggies are a vital part of a healthy diet. Vegetables like broccoli and spinach have antioxidant properties, beta keratin, calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron, all of which are excellent immune-boosting vitamins. And, your immune system relies on vitamins to maintain its strength. You can also get additional vitamins through natural supplements.
2. Drink plenty of water. Water is a very important aspect of an immune-boosting regimen. A well-hydrated body aids the immune system in fighting infection by participating in circulating cells that ward off infection. Humans constantly lose water in several ways. That water should be replaced to avoid dehydration, which can impact the immune system in ways that do not benefit you.

Also drink lemon and other citrus-infused water. Citrus fruits such as lemons, limes and grapefruits are great sources of vitamin c. These vitamin c heavyweights are antioxidant-rich anti-inflammatories that will help your immune system fight off infections. And, even if you catch a cold, vitamin c can shorten its length.

3. Get that body moving with regular exercise. Getting that heart rate up through exercise can help you lose weight and keep fit, which is conducive to fortifying the work of your hard-at-work immune system. A healthier diet in conjunction with regular exercise cannot only strengthen you physically, but it can give those infection-fighting cells more power to fight.
4. Getting proper rest cannot be understated. Sleep gives your body the opportunity to recharge itself. Lack of sleep has a ripple effect which, in turn, can negatively impact the immune system. A good night's rest is one of the many ways to help your body restore and strengthen.
5. Get rid of stress. There are no good outcomes for repeated and long-term stresses. Stress-based health conditions can impair your immune system. Therefore, participating in activities that have a calming effect and help you bid goodbye to unwanted stress can be beneficial to your immune system’s function.

A Boosted Immune System Is Well Within Your Reach

Your immune system is a complex, powerful mechanism that works hard to keep you well. Doing your part to keep it in tip-top shape is key and well within your physical and mental reach. The bottom line? A few simple changes to your daily rhythm and lifestyle will have an overwhelming positive result in boosting your immune system. 

Looking for more health tips? Check out the Complete Care Medical blog where we talk about medical conditions and supplies, pregnancy, nutritional supplements and more.