Are you prone catching a cold or allergy every time the weather changes? Well, your Immune system must be down. The disease fighting cells in the body must be damaged. The body is naturally equipped with organs, cells, and tissues, to fight foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses, fungai, and parasites that cause infections and diseases. The working of the immune system is amazing. It recognizes the millions of diseases and illness and produces cells and secretions to wipe these invaders. It also stops the growth of cancer and tumour within the body.

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The immune system organs are located throughout the body. They are called lymphoid organs because they are home to the key players in the immune system- lymphocytesor the small white blood cells.  

The immune system has a wide range of cells. Some cells take all invaders while some are trained to combat only specific targets. At times immune cells communicate by straight physical contact, and sometimes by discharging chemical messengers.

The immune system to a great extent is impacted by a person’s lifestyle, age, emotional state, stress levels, nutritional status and dietary habits. One of the most common causes of a depressed immune system is nutrient deficiency. Even the deficiency of just one nutrient is enough to slow the efficiency of the immune system.

Causes of the Breakdown of Immune System

Some of the causes of the breakdown of immune system include:

Age

Age is a big factor in the slowdown of immune system. It reduces the response capability of immune system. After the age of 40, the biological state of ageing counteracts the immune function. The population of T cell in the body becomes less diverse and they become less effective in locating and destroying pathogens.

Unhealthy Diet

Consuming food high in sugar content can suppress the immune system within minutes. It breaks down the immune system cell structure. Research now shows nutrient deficiency in one generation can affect the functioning of the immune system in the succeeding generations, even if the next generations are not nutrient deficient. A deficiency of even one nutrient can slow down and impair the proper functioning of the immune system.

A balanced diet is very important for the proper functioning of the human body. The balanced diet provides all the nutrient and minerals required for its efficient functioning. This balanced diet provides the fuel to the immune system to carry out its work. A well balanced diet means rich whole natural food like fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grain, seeds, and beans, adequate amount of protein, low fat, and refined sugar. Five to six glasses of water is also equally important for the proper functioning of the immune system.

Bad habit

Bad habits like consuming alcohol, smoking can erode the immune system. It can be very damaging as it causes nutritional deficiency as the alcohol deprives valuable nutrients. It prevents the white blood cells from reproducing and immobilizes the macrophages – the cells that swallow foreign particles- from producing tumor necrosis factors. Smoking damages the linings of the nose and mouth, which is first line of defense in the immune system. Smoking attacks the lung tissues and worsens the chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. Drugs too, have a severe affect on the immune system. These drugs hamper the absorption of useful nutrients into the blood flow.

Unhygienic Living Conditions

Poor hygiene can also create havoc to the immune system. Many illnesses are contracted through poor hygiene. Washing hands, taking bath regularly, keeping cuts and wounds clean is a necessary part of good hygiene. Unclean environment is a breeding ground for many illnesses. That is why it is very important to keep the house and its surroundings neat and clean.

Here are the few things to be followed as they act as immune system boosters

Boosting the immune system and keeping it in an active condition is not a very difficult job. A slight lifestyle change is what is required to boost the immune system. Small changes like clean environment, dietary change with various foods to boost your immune system, exercise and clean habits are immune system boosters. Remedies to boost your immune system include:

Proper sleep

Sleep is a very important requirement for good immune system. Most of the times, people sacrifice their sleep for work and various other things in life. This can have a bad effect of the immune system. Sleep allows the cells to rest and regenerate. Rest allows the immune system to gain strength. Seven to eight hours of sleep per night is necessary for a restful sleep.

Eat Right  

Eating right is so very necessary for maintain a healthy body with all its system working in top condition. Most of the time it is unhealthy eating that causes all kinds of problems to the body and its systems. Too much  sugar, excessive proteins, high amount of fat , lack of probiotics, lack of nutritious food, not enough water, processed food containing preservatives, additives, chemicals and pesticides, can be a disaster to the immune system. A balanced diet with vegetable, fruits, whole grain, necessary fats, and milk helps to boost the immune system.

Foods that Boost the Immune System

Some of the foods that help boost the immune system include

Proteins

Adequate amount of protein is necessary to boost the immune system. Since protein is an adequate component of white blood cells you need to increase the intake of protein food like egg, fish, milk poultry, cheese etc. a balanced diet helps the protein reach the bone marrow where these white blood cells are produced. Always keep in mind not to go overboard with the protein as too much can cause problems as well.

Cruciferous vegetables

In spite of the fact that all vegetables have nutrients in them and have defending powers, the cruciferous vegetables are more equipped to boost the immune system with their special chemical composition. They have sulphur compounds that convert to into isothiocyanates when they are broken down. The isothiocyanates have unlimited immune-boosting capabilities. They also have antiviral and anti bacterial properties to prevent infections and diseases. The vegetables include broccoli, red cabbage, kale, collards, cauliflower, cabbage, horseradish, Brussels sprouts bok Choy, turnip green mustard green etc.

Avocados

Avocados are good for boosting the immune system. They have 18 kinds of amino acids that are necessary. It also has fibre and good fat required by the body. The vegetable has anti oxidants. It also balances hormone production and sustain adrenal gland functioning.

Ginger

Ginger is another good home remedy for boosting immunity. It helps to prevent the build up of toxins in the body. The ginger has warming affect on the body and it help to open up the sinuses and lung enabling proper circulation.

Spirulina

Spirulina is blue – green algae, which helps to fuel the immune system. It is rich in selenium and iron. It has digestible vegetable proteins and Vitamin B12. The spirulina is a good detox agent and improves cellular communication. It helps t fight infections and even prevents cancer. It helps to enhance the functioning of the cells.

Stress Less

Stress is one of the most important factors that impairs the immune system. Stress due to work, family problems, stress due to education, exercise all kinds of stress plays havoc with the immune system. Stress completely strains the body resources. Due to stress, the body is unable to respond to hormonal signals. Learning to relax and de-stress is very important to boost the immune system. It is best to avoid activities, situations, and people who can cause stress. Spend more time doing yoga, meditation, walking, exercising, dancing, and having sex or other activities that help to de stress.

Exercise

Exercise is very important to boost the immune system. Exercise helps to make the body stronger, and increase blood circulation throughout the body. It also helps to flush out unwanted toxins from the body. Exercise should be in moderation, excess exercise can be harmful to the system too.

It is very important to take care of the body and it immune system if you want to lead a healthy and happy free from illnesses and diseases. Living in this polluted and unhygienic environment and an unhealthy lifestyle, an individual is susceptible to all kinds of diseases and illness. A strong immune system will ensure you do not catch the illness.

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