What’s in your medicine cabinet?
Make sure your medicine cabinet is well-stocked to combat any bugs trying to challenge your defenses! The immune system acts as your body’s primary defense against harmful invaders like pathogens and antigens. Comprising various cells and substances, including white blood cells and antibodies, the immune system works tirelessly to keep you healthy.
This crucial defense system operates through two key responses: the innate immune response and the adaptive immune response. While the innate response provides a generalized defense against invaders, the adaptive response is a learned reaction to specific pathogens encountered in the past. Being aware of these immune system functions is vital for maintaining optimal health and preparedness.
How does the immune system get compromised?
Several factors may be associated with dysregulated immune function and increased susceptibility to disease, including:
Antibiotic use
Certain health conditions (e.g., allergic asthma, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, diabetes)
Certain nutrient deficiencies (e.g., vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, copper, iron, selenium, zinc)
Chronic stress
Excessive alcohol consumption
Intense or excessive exercise
Intestinal dysbiosis (imbalanced gut microbiota)
Lack of sleep
Physical inactivity
Smoking
How to Naturally Boost Your Immunity:
Maintain a healthy diet. Research suggests that a poor nutritional state impairs immune function and increases susceptibility to disease, while getting sick may also worsen nutritional status. Consuming a balanced, whole-foods diet supports overall health and immune function.
The table below summarizes immune-supportive dietary components and their food sources:
Start your journey to better immune health with a personalized nutrition plan. Schedule your appointment today by clicking the button below. ↓
Manage stress effectively. While short-term stress may stimulate both innate and adaptive immune responses, chronic stress has been shown to suppress immune function. Long-term or chronic stress may decrease immune cell count and increase inflammatory responses. Incorporate ways to manage your stress, such as counseling, mindfulness, and yoga.
Exercise regularly. Research has shown that lifelong regular physical activity may have immunoprotective effects and may reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as breast cancer. On impared immune system and increase the risk of infections, such as upper respiratory infections.
Get adequate, good quality sleep. Chronic sleep loss has been associated with immunodeficiency, increased inflammatory markers and increased susceptibility to the common cold.
Nan’s Other Recommendations:
Be prepared to defend against seasonal sniffles and coughs with remedies designed to support your immune system. Understanding and maintaining the health of your mucous membranes—the body’s first line of defense—can make all the difference.
Discover how to strengthen your respiratory readiness and learn about key strategies like natural remedies, NAC, and more in my latest blog post. Click below to explore practical tips for staying proactive during airborne assault season.