Tips For A Healthy Immune System!

The immune system is what gets you going. It protects an individual from various harmful pathogenic and microscopic (bacteria, virus, fungi) organisms. The immunity can be of two types- Innate and Acquired (Adaptive). The Innate immunity is the one that is present in a person from birth. The Adaptive immunity, on the other hand, is the immunity that a person develops over their lifetime. While some people are born with a strong immune system, others have to work towards developing one. The following tips and lifestyle practices can go a long way to give your immune system a much-needed boost:

A dietary immunological boost: Your immunity may be directly related to the food you need. Some foods are like a tonic for your immune system. Fruits and vegetables can do your immune system a world of good. Citrus fruits (orange, lemon, grapefruit, tangerines), Berries (particularly blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries), kiwi, and papaya are powerful immune boosters. The vegetables such carrots, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, onion, red bell peppers are extremely healthy, especially for your immune system. Garlic (Allium sativum), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) are known for their medical values. These three spices can bring about a significant improvement in people with a weak immune system. Almonds, yogurt, mushrooms (shiitake), and there are many benefits of flax seeds which can also work wonders for your immune system.

All work and no sleep: A sound sleep and proper rest can work miracles, especially for your immune system. Stress, anxiety, and fatigue are known to have a negative effect on the health. More than often, they trigger a hormonal imbalance that can wreak havoc, weakening the immune system. No matter how busy you are, never compromise on your sleep. Follow a healthy sleep cycle. An early to bed and early to rise is what should be your motto. Make sure that you sleep for 6-8 hours daily.

Reduce the stress: Exercise and physical activities can contribute significantly to building your immune system. Meditation is a not only a good stress buster but also a great immune booster, increasing the body's resistance to various bacterial and viral diseases and infections. The health benefits of exercise require no special mention. Like meditation, it also helps to increase the immunity by lowering the level of stress hormones in the body. Spending quality time with your family or loved ones, staying cheerful and positive can also help to reduce the stress to a great extent. In the case of professional stress, you can take short breaks or go on vacations to rejuvenate yourself. The lower the stress, the stronger is the immunity.

Lifestyle habits: The unhealthy lifestyle habits such as drinking and smoking (often unlimited) can spell doom for the immune system and are best left avoided if you want to enjoy a healthy immune system.
Also, drinking green tea regularly will go a long way in improving your immune system. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!