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TOP 10 HABITS THAT DAMAGE YOUR IMMUNITY - How to Boost Immunity

Immunity boosting habits -

If you want to boost your immune health, you may wonder how to help your body fight off illnesses. In a study in healthy adults, those who slept fewer than 6 hours each night were more likely to catch a cold than those who slept 6 hours or more each night 1.

Getting adequate rest may strengthen your natural immunity. Also, you may sleep more when sick to allow your immune system to better fight the illness 2. Adults should aim to get 7 or more hours of sleep each night, while teens need 8—10 hours and younger children and infants up to 14 hours 3.

Other sleep hygiene tips include sleeping in a completely dark room or using a sleep mask, going to bed at the same time every night, and exercising regularly 3. Inadequate sleep may increase your risk of getting sick. Most adults should get at least 7 hours of sleep per night.

Whole plant foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes are rich in nutrients and antioxidants that may give you an upper hand against harmful pathogens. The antioxidants in these foods help decrease inflammation by combatting unstable compounds called free radicals, which can cause inflammation when they build up in your body in high levels 5.

Meanwhile, the fiber in plant foods feeds your gut microbiome, or the community of healthy bacteria in your gut. A robust gut microbiome can improve your immunity and help keep harmful pathogens from entering your body via your digestive tract 6. Furthermore, fruits and vegetables are rich in nutrients like vitamin C , which may reduce the duration of the common cold 7.

Several whole plant foods contain antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C, all of which may lower your susceptibility to illness. Although low-level inflammation is a normal response to stress or injury, chronic inflammation can suppress your immune system 8.

Olive oil, which is highly anti-inflammatory, is linked to a decreased risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Plus, its anti-inflammatory properties may help your body fight off harmful disease-causing bacteria and viruses 9 , Omega-3 fatty acids , such as those in salmon and chia seeds, fight inflammation as well Healthy fats like olive oil and omega-3s are highly anti-inflammatory.

Since chronic inflammation can suppress your immune system, these fats may naturally combat illnesses. Fermented foods are rich in beneficial bacteria called probiotics, which populate your digestive tract Research suggests that a flourishing network of gut bacteria can help your immune cells differentiate between normal, healthy cells and harmful invader organisms In a 3-month study in children, those who drank just 2.

In a day study in people infected with rhinovirus, those who supplemented with probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis had a stronger immune response and lower levels of the virus in their nasal mucus than a control group Gut health and immunity are deeply interconnected.

Fermented foods and probiotics may bolster your immune system by helping it identify and target harmful pathogens. Emerging research suggests that added sugars and refined carbs may contribute disproportionately to overweight and obesity 16 , According to an observational study in around 1, people, people with obesity who were administered the flu vaccine were twice as likely to still get the flu than individuals without obesity who received the vaccine Curbing your sugar intake can decrease inflammation and aid weight loss, thus reducing your risk of chronic health conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease 19 , Given that obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease can all weaken your immune system, limiting added sugars is an important part of an immune-boosting diet 18 , 21 , This equals about 2 tablespoons 25 grams of sugar for someone on a 2,calorie diet.

Added sugars contribute significantly to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, all of which can suppress your immune system. Lowering your sugar intake may decrease inflammation and your risk of these conditions. Although prolonged intense exercise can suppress your immune system, moderate exercise can give it a boost.

Studies indicate that even a single session of moderate exercise can boost the effectiveness of vaccines in people with compromised immune systems Examples of moderate exercise include brisk walking , steady bicycling, jogging, swimming, and light hiking. Most people should aim for at least minutes of moderate exercise per week Moderate exercise can reduce inflammation and promote the healthy turnover of immune cells.

Jogging, biking, walking, swimming, and hiking are great options. Dehydration can cause headaches and hinder your physical performance, focus, mood, digestion, and heart and kidney function. These complications can increase your susceptibility to illness To prevent dehydration, you should drink enough fluid daily to make your urine pale yellow.

You may need more fluids if you exercise intensely, work outside, or live in a hot climate Older adults need to drink regularly even if they do not feel thirsty. Relieving stress and anxiety is key to immune health. Long-term stress promotes inflammation, as well as imbalances in immune cell function 7 , 9.

In particular, prolonged psychological stress can suppress the immune response in children Activities that may help you manage your stress include meditation , exercise, journaling, yoga, and other mindfulness practices. You may also benefit from seeing a licensed counselor or therapist, whether virtually or in person.

Lowering your stress levels through meditation, yoga, exercise, and other practices can help keep your immune system functioning properly.

Thus, you should only purchase supplements that have been independently tested by third-party organizations like United States Pharmacopeia USP , NSF International, and ConsumerLab.

Though some supplements may fight viral infections, none have been proven to be effective against COVID If you decide to supplement, make sure to purchase products that have been tested by a third party.

Research has shown that steaming or microwaving are the best ways to keep more nutrients in the food. Garlic adds flavor to food and has long been used for medicinal purposes.

Early civilizations recognized its value in fighting infections. Garlic may also slow down hardening of the arteries, and people use it to treat high blood pressure. Ginger is another ingredient many turn to after getting sick.

Ginger may help decrease inflammation, which can help reduce a sore throat and inflammatory illnesses. It may also help with nausea.

Ginger may also decrease chronic pain and might even possess cholesterol-lowering properties. Similar to broccoli, spinach is healthiest when cooked as little as possible so that it retains its nutrients.

However, light cooking makes it easier to absorb the vitamin A and allows other nutrients to be released from oxalic acid , an antinutrient. Check out some spinach recipes here.

These cultures may stimulate your immune system to help fight diseases. Try to get plain yogurts rather than the kind that are flavored and loaded with sugar. You can sweeten plain yogurt yourself with healthy fruits and a drizzle of honey instead. Yogurt can also be a great source of vitamin D , so try to select brands fortified with this vitamin.

Clinical trials are even in the works to study its possible effects on COVID Research so far suggests that vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk for COVID19 and the severity of disease progression in people with the infection. Experts therefore believe supplementation may protect people with a vitamin D deficiency.

However, there is no evidence that vitamin D can treat a COVID19 infection. When it comes to preventing and fighting off colds, vitamin E tends to take a backseat to vitamin C.

However, this powerful antioxidant is key to a healthy immune system. Nuts, such as almonds , are packed with the vitamin and also have healthy fats. Adults only need about 15 mg of vitamin E each day.

Sunflower seeds are full of nutrients, including phosphorous , magnesium , and vitamins B6 and E. Vitamin E is important in regulating and maintaining immune system function.

Other foods with high amounts of vitamin E include avocados and dark leafy greens. Sunflower seeds are also high in selenium. Just 1 ounce contains nearly half the selenium that the average adult needs daily.

A variety of studies , mostly performed on animals, have looked at its potential to combat viral infections such as swine flu H1N1. You may know turmeric as a key ingredient in many curries.

This bright yellow, bitter spice has also been used for years as an anti-inflammatory in treating both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Research shows that high concentrations of curcumin , which gives turmeric its distinctive color, can help decrease exercise-induced muscle damage. Curcumin has promise as an immune booster based on findings from animal studies with antimicrobial properties. More research is needed.

Both green and black teas are packed with flavonoids , a type of antioxidant. Where green tea really excels is in its levels of epigallocatechin gallate EGCG , another powerful antioxidant. Research has suggested that EGCG may have antiviral properties that support the immune system.

The fermentation process black tea goes through destroys a lot of the EGCG. Green tea, on the other hand, is steamed and not fermented, so the EGCG is preserved.

Papayas also have a digestive enzyme called papain that has anti-inflammatory effects. Papayas have decent amounts of potassium , magnesium, and folate , all of which are beneficial to your overall health.

Like papayas, kiwis are a rich source of essential nutrients, including folate, potassium, vitamin K , and vitamin C.

The soup may help lower inflammation, which could improve symptoms of a cold. Poultry, such as chicken and turkey, is high in vitamin B6.

About 3 ounces of light turkey or chicken meat contains nearly one-third of your daily recommended amount of B6. Vitamin B6 is an important player in many of the chemical reactions that happen in the body.

Stock or broth made by boiling chicken bones contains gelatin , chondroitin, and other nutrients helpful for gut healing and immunity. Too much zinc can actually inhibit immune system function.

You may want to focus on eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh foods and whole grains, engage in at least minutes of physical activity per week, get enough sleep, manage stress with deep breathing or talk therapy, avoid or quit smoking, and limit alcohol consumption.

Preliminary research suggests vitamin C may be involved in the development and function of white blood cells. It seems vitamin C may improve the reproduction of B- and T-cells , which are important white blood cells for the immune system. The amount of vitamin C needed for increasing white blood cells may depend on the condition and overall health needs.

More research in humans is needed to better understand the link between vitamin C and white blood cells. To raise your white blood cell count , you may want to avoid alcohol and tobacco use, take Omega-3s and zinc, and eat a balanced diet. For example, a study found that the Mediterranean diet had an effect on the white blood cell counts of adults at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Depending on the cause of low white blood cells, you may also need to take medications like myeloid growth factors. Antiviral foods may include fermented vegetables kimchi , fermented milk yogurt and kefir , herbs oregano, fennel, peppermint, and aloe vera , garlic, ginger, turmeric, black cumin, cinnamon, licorice root, mushrooms, and citrus fruits.

Some foods may boost your immune system while others will help with their antimicrobial properties. This means they may help fight bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that cause infections. Examples include herbs and spices oregano , cinnamon , clove , and rosemary , cruciferous vegetables kale and rutabaga , citrus fruits, parsley , and a wide range of other plant-based foods.

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