How To Boost Immunity

By: Tony Oldhand

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Anyone serious about their health wants to know how to boost immunity. Immunity is important to stay healthy. What you do, eat and put into your body can drastically change your immune system. The immune system is made up of two types of white blood cells. The phagocytes cells are the cells that attack new viruses that come into your body. The lymphocytes cells are the cells that keep memory of what harmful things have perviously came into your body and how to fight them. Boosting immunity is a very important part of staying healthy.

  1. Keep a healthy blood pressure. This can be achieved by cutting down on salty foods and foods high in fat.
  2. Stay away from harmful drugs, smoking included. Quitting smoking is hard, but it isn't impossible. Get help from loved ones if you decide to quit smoking.
  3. Get enough sleep. The average person will get around eight hours of sleep a night, but it varies from person to person.
  4. Wash your hands after you handle raw meat and after you use the bathroom. Raw meat has germs on it that, if reached room temperature, can cause salmonella poisoning.
  5. Eat immunity-boosting foods. Foods like yogurt, fruit, garlic and green tea will help boost your immune system. Be warned, some products that claim to boost your immune system may actually not help at all. Before you invest in a product claiming to boost your immune system, read reviews on it.
  6. Cut down on drinking. Instead of having a beer or glass of wine with dinner every night, it's best to cut down your alcohol intake to every other night or less. If you plan on taking alcohol completely out of your diet, it's best to quit cold turkey.
  7. Get enough exercise. Exercise is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise will keep you healthy.
  8. Make sure you're getting enough vitamins. Vitamin deficiency is one of the main causes of a low immune system.

Whenever you're looking to boost immunity, talk to your doctor. Your doctor could have some advice for you personally based on your body's history. Also take into account that as we age, our body's immunity weakens. If you're elderly, you might want to take more steps to boost immunity that only your doctor and you would be able to discuss.

Posted on: Aug. 25, 2010