Facts of Immune System:
Here are some immune system facts:

• If the immune system attacks any harmless substance, it results in allergic reactions.
• Mucus membrane acts like the physical barrier to harmful substances and organisms. Innate immune system is the second protective layer. This acts like a short term non specific immune response. If the microbes cross these two protective layers, then they encounter third and other active immune responses.
• Our immune system has four phases – 1. Recognition 2. Defense amplification 3. Attack 4. Suppression
• It is must to have strong sleep for about 8 hours as less than 5 hours can depress the functionality of the immune system.
• Our environment plays a vital role in afflicting immune system. Pesticides, second-hand smoke, air pollution and toxic substances afflict the immune system.
• Human body has nearly 50 million WBC (white blood cells) which protect the defense system.
• While donating blood, you may lose about 5 billion white blood cells and still be left with sufficient WBCs.
• Psychological stress severely affects catecholamine and CD8 cells. If the normal levels of these cells are altered, they may weaken the immune system.
• If you are on diet, it can reduce the killer cells number, resulting in weaker immunity.
• Pumping excess iron in gym can make the body to produce more adrenaline and cortisol. These can temporarily impair immune system.
• Regular massages help to overcome fatigue and stress. But, these massages can increase the aggressiveness of protective antibodies and natural killer cells. This improves the immunity to fight invading bodies.
• Quit smoking. This helps to strengthen the immune system.
• Excess of anything is harmful. Likewise, a little exposure to sunlight aids in producing vitamin D and too much exposure suppresses immune system.
• Lymph nodes are the important defense mechanisms of body. These are not present in feet.
• ‘Laughter is the best medicine’, an old saying. It’s true. It induces proactive immune response which results in healthy body.

These are a few immune system facts. Human body has a strong defense mechanism. Follow a healthy diet to keep your immune system strong. Regular exercising and staying away from alcohol, narcotics and smoke strengthens the immune system. Stay away from stress and keep smiling to obtain strong immunity.

It is essential for all of us to have a robust immune system that can keep away illnesses and ailments. In the West, the cold winter season usually heralds an onslaught of minor ailments like sniffles and runny noses. You can avoid the discomfort and inconvenience of such experiences if you have good immunity. In this article, we tell you simple yet effective tips on

how to improve immune system.

Try to implement at least a few of the following suggestions to enjoy robust health even in the harshest weather.

How to Improve Immune System

Drink Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is a great drink to boost your immunity. You can drink lemonade, or add lemon juice to tea and salad dressings. Lemon juice keeps at bay harmful bacteria and viruses. Besides, lemonade tastes great too.

Make Use of Herbs

Natural herbs and herbal supplements can also

improve your immune system

. It is preferable to take fresh herbs in food as these are more potent and also get more efficiently absorbed in the body. If that is not possible, try an effective herbal supplement after getting the go-ahead from your doctor.

Sleep Well

Quality sleep for about eight hours a day can keep you healthy and refreshed. A good night’s sleep balances your hormone levels, keeps weight down, enables clear reasoning and thinking, improves mood and gives you healthy, radiant skin.

Take Lots of Protein

Your diet should be rich in proteins rather than carbs. Proteins pave the way for a robust immune system, and healthy mind and body. But, carbs get converted into glucose which spikes blood sugar and stresses the immune system and pancreas.

Drink Lots of Water Every Day

Drink plenty of water even during the cold winter season. Most people slack off in winter as it is too cold to go the gym or anywhere outdoors. This affects their body and they fall prey to constipation and other ailments. To prevent this, keep drinking plenty of water in winter to keep your bowels moving and remove toxins. In summer, drinking plenty of water is essential to ward off thirst and dehydration.

Avoid Coffee

Of late, coffee has been touted almost as a health drink which has many benefits. But, the fact is too much coffee can affect your health and immune system. Caffeine removes vitamins and minerals and also causes dehydration. If you are a coffee buff, add more water to your coffee. You should also take mineral supplements to offset the damage caused by caffeine.

White Sugar is Unhealthy

The best thing you can do to

improve immune system

is to eliminate refined white sugar from your diet. This will boost your immunity and energy levels, and keep your weight steady. Many nutritionists categorize sugar as a drug for its adverse impact on the body. Some dieticians equate consuming sugar with smoking. You should also stay away from artificial sweeteners which are worse than white sugar.

Eat Plenty of Vegetables and Fruits

It is recommended to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day as they are rich in fiber, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. Vitamin C in fruits protects your body from environmental toxins. Broccoli, kale and berries are rich in antioxidants. Seaweed is a great source of minerals.

Play Outdoor Games

As mentioned earlier, it is daunting to go outside during the cold winter. But, you need to strengthen your resolve and go out and play, even if it is just a snowball fight. Exercise can improve your happiness and health as it releases endorphins. Besides, playing in the cold revs up the thyroid gland.

Think Positive

Health experts are finding out that many physical ailments actually have mental causes. So, it is imperative to be positive and happy to

improve immune system

. To ward off stress and tension, you can try yoga, meditation, tai chi and other arts. Do not get caught up in the daily rat race, but take some time off to smell the roses. When you are happy and content, you are much less likely to fall sick.

Nutrients that Improve Immunity

• Vitamin C

  : This is perhaps the number one immunity booster. It is found in many vegetables and fruits and you can also find Vitamin C-fortified foods.

• Vitamin E

  : is important to improve your immune system. It is found in grains, vegetable oils and seeds.

• Carotenoids

  : Boost immunity by fighting infection. Beta carotene is the most famous carotenoid.

• Bioflavenoids

  : Protect the body from environmental pollutants.

• Zinc

  : Aggressively fights off infection. It is found in beans, oysters, turkey, beef and crab.

• Garlic

  :
  

  Improves immune system

  by producing more antibodies.

• Selenium

  : stimulates cells that fight cancer and infections. It is found in lamb chops, Brazil nuts, garlic, sunflower seeds, chicken, cottage cheese, egg yolks, brown rice, vegetables, whole grains, shrimp, lobster, red snapper and tuna.

• Omega-3 fatty acids

  : Protect against infection. You can take supplements like fish or flax oils to boost immunity.

Summary

We hope the above information on


how to improve immune system

will help you ward off infections and stay healthy. Try to implement at least a few of them to garner effective results. Here’s to your healthy immune system and happy life.

]]> http://www.drgranny.com/2011/10/03/how-to-improve-immune-system/feed/ 0 http://www.drgranny.com/2010/03/15/top-5-immune-boosters/ http://www.drgranny.com/2010/03/15/top-5-immune-boosters/#comments Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:59:44 +0000 admin http://www.drgranny.com/?p=1406 Immune system of the body protects it from weather changes, cold and flu. It is for the same reason that boosting of your immune system is very necessary. There are some food items which can play a major role in increasing your immunity.

Top 5 Immune Boosters:

Top 5 immune boosters are:

• Lemon Intake:

  Intake of freshly squeezed lemon in a glass of water or in tea or in salad or in bakery products can improve the internal environment of your body. It supports the growth of good bacteria, maintains the pH level of body.

• Good Sleep At Night:

  Make sure that you take a good sleep of 7 hours at least in the entire day. A good sleep at night rejuvenates your body and also maintain the hormonal levels. It improves the mood, enhances the thinking and reasoning power of the body.

• Intake of Protein:

  It is very necessary because it is the building block of the mind, body and immune system. A diet lacking protein can be directly converted into glucose which can increase the blood sugar level of the body.

• Avoid The Intake Of Caffeine:

  Caffeine has antioxidants which can harm your immune system. Excess intake of caffeine either from tea or coffee can result in acidity and number of the related diseases.

• Drink Plenty Of Water:

  Intake of water rejuvenate your body. Moreover it also removes the toxic content and keep the body neat and clean. It also keeps your body hydrated thus preventing it from a number of diseases.

]]> http://www.drgranny.com/2010/03/15/top-5-immune-boosters/feed/ 0 http://www.drgranny.com/2007/03/22/yoga-for-a-healthy-immune-system/ http://www.drgranny.com/2007/03/22/yoga-for-a-healthy-immune-system/#comments Thu, 22 Mar 2007 12:00:36 +0000 admin http://www.drgranny.com/health-news/yoga-for-a-healthy-immune-system/  

Yoga has proved to be very helpful in the healthy functioning of the immune system. People benefit a lot from the yogasanas that are meant to reduce stress and fatigue. These restorative asanas are unlike the standing poses. They are the relaxation poses that counteracts on the stress causing factors that affects the proper functioning of immune system. Props are used for proper support and alignment. But make sure that the props d not make you feel uncomfortable. You can change its dimensions according to your comfort. As you continue with the practice, the prop requirements might change. Practice the yogasanas in the following sequence for best results.

With enough props begin with supported


Supta Virasana

(Reclining Hero’s Pose). Use a folded towel to support your head and neck. After practicing this pose, try out supported


Sethu Bandhasana

(Bridge Pose).  This pose is followed by


Viparita Karani

which is a modification of the shoulder stand. This is the the most powerful and affective restorative pose. The sequence can be concluded by doing


Shavasana

.

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