Boost Your Immune System

Aumenta tu sistema inmunológico

Claire Warring

On the whole, your immune system does a remarkable job of defending you against disease, infection and illness but, sometimes it fails, a germ invades successfully and makes you sick. Illness is a fact of life but it is not all up to chance. With a bit of effort, thought and care it is possible to intervene in this process and boost your immune system to help it fight the ongoing battle to keep you healthy. It must be said that whilst the idea of boosting your immunity is enticing, the ability to do so successfully has proved elusive from medical science. The main problem is that the immune system is precisely that — a system, not a single entity. To function well, it requires balance and harmony. There is still much that researchers don’t know about the intricacies and interconnectedness of the immune response. Researchers are continually exploring the effects of diet, exercise, age, psychological stress, and other factors on the immune response, both in animals and in humans. Science and medicine struggle to provide proof of a direct link between lifestyle and enhanced immune function but, that doesn’t mean the effects of lifestyle on the immune system aren’t intriguing at the very least. Even in the world of science and without proof, it is still considered that general healthy living strategies are a good way to start giving your immune system the upper hand in the war against illness.

So, where to start? Well, your first line of defense is to choose a healthy lifestyle. It is the single best step you can take toward naturally keeping your immune system strong and healthy. Every part of your body, including your immune system, functions better when protected from environmental assaults and bolstered by healthy-living strategies such as not smoking and if you drink alcohol, make sure it is in moderation only. Your diet is of course very important and as we all know, should be high in fruits and vegetables. The right diet with some excercise should see you maintain a healthy weight which is very important if you are going to strengthen your immune system. Sleep is another aspect that must not be ignored. Make sure you get enough sleep and make sure it is good quality sleep. Stress is one of the biggest attacks on our immune system and indeed our general wellbeing. Stress affects the way we eat, sleep and think. I know all too well that it is easier said than done but you simply must avoid stress in your life at all costs.

And finally, hygiene is incredibly important to help your immune system, so wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, especially immediately after being in public places. As I said at the beginning of this article, your immune system does a remarkable job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms, so the least you can do is help it to do its job by taking care of yourself.

Be safe everyone and stay healthy!

En conjunto, tu sistema inmunológico hace un trabajo impresionante defendiéndote de las enfermedades, infecciones y dolencias, pero… algunas veces falla, un germen te invade con éxito, y enfermas. La enfermedad es una realidad de la vida, pero no todo depende de la casualidad. Con un poco de esfuerzo, atención y cuidado, es posible intervenir en este proceso y estimular tu sistema inmunológico, ayudando en la batalla por mantenerte sano.

Hay que decir que, aunque la idea de aumentar tu inmunidad es tentadora, la capacidad de hacerlo con éxito, ha demostrado ser esquiva para la ciencia médica. El principal problema es que, el sistema inmunológico es precisamente eso, un sistema, no una entidad única. Para funcionar bien, requiere equilibrio y armonía. Todavía hay mucho que los investigadores no saben, sobre las complejidades e interconexiones de la respuesta inmune. Los investigadores están continuamente explorando los efectos de la dieta, el ejercicio, la edad, el estrés psicológico y otros factores en la respuesta inmunológica, tanto en animales como en humanos. La ciencia y la medicina luchan por proporcionar pruebas de un vínculo directo entre el estilo de vida y la mejora