IS BOOSTING IMMUNITY AN OVERNIGHT PROCESS?WHAT ARE THE FACTORS THAT AFFECTS OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM?

”BEING​ HEALTHY SHOULD BE PART OF OUR OVERALL LIFESTYLE”

​Why being healthy is so important

• Living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent chronic diseases and long- term illness.
• It is important for your self-esteem and self-image.

There are many questions regarding building of one’s immunity. Many common questions people often ask are: 

• Can immunity be boosted instantaneously by eating selected food?
• If one has inherited a weak immune system, can one still boost their immunity?

The answer to all questions is: Yes, Boosting one’s immunity is possible but it is not overnight process.

​Before building immunity or boosting up one’s immunity, we need to know about the factors that affect our immune system.​

6 MAJOR FACTORS AFFECTING IMMUNE SYSTEM:​

​1. DIET:

​ 

​Eating or drinking too much sugar curbs immune system cells that attack bacteria. These effects last for at least a few hours after downing a couple of sugar drinks. Eat more fruits and vegetables, which are rich in nutrients like vitamin C & E, plus beta-carotene and zinc.

2.EXERCISE:

​​

Physical activity may help flush bacteria out the lungs and airways, this may reduce your chances of getting cold, flu, or illness. Exercise causes a change in antibiotics and white blood cells(WBC). WBCs are the body’s immune system cells that fight diseases.

3.IMMUNIZATION:

​​

The immune system responds in the same way it would do to the virus or bacteria following unexpected instructions, so while not natural is that they are given at specified times, the vaccine offers a controlled way of protecting ourselves from the viruses or bacteria that causes illness.

4. STRESS:

​​

Ongoing stress makes us susceptible to illness and diseases because the brain sends defense signals to the endocrine system, which then releases an array of hormones that not only gets us ready for emergency situations but severely depress our immunity at the same time.  

5.MIND-BODY:

​​

This means that our thoughts, feelings, beliefs and attitudes can positively or negatively affect our biological functioning. In other words, our minds can affect how healthy our bodies are.

On the other hand, what we do with our physical body(what we eat, how much we exercise, even our posture)can impact our mental state (again positively or negatively). This results in a complex relationship between our minds and bodies.

6. ANTIBIOTICS:

​​

Antibiotics are prescribed to treat bacterial infections and are most effective in these cases. However, antibiotics can also have harmful side effects, increase bacterial resistance and sometimes even work against one’s immune system.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BOOST IMMUNITY :

For a healthy person, it may take up to 15 days to further boost immunity, but for one who is just starting, it may take months. As everyone wants to be fit today, but they fail to follow a healthy lifestyle. “Everybody is different and may respond to a good lifestyle in different ways. Some may take longer to develop immunity and others may not. There is no shortcut to health, and immunity is not built in a day. It is a gradual, sustainable process. Both youngsters and the elderly today are sleep-deprived and sleep is very important for boosting immunity. It is important to stay away from refined flour and all packaged products as well if one wants to have a strong immune system. These can ruin your immunity even though you might be following a healthy regime. Exercising in any form also helps.  Activities like walking, dancing or skipping are enough too. Most importantly, one must never stress or panic as it messes up with your body,” she says, adding, “Health is being mentally, physically and socially fit.”

15 SUPERFOODS THAT SHOULD BE A PART OF ONE’S DIET IN THESE DAYS OF PANDEMIC:

​The high vitamin and mineral content found in superfoods can help your body ward off diseases and keep you healthier. When incorporated into a well-balanced diet, these foods can promote heart health, weight loss, improve energy levels and even reduce the effects of aging.

1. ​TURMERIC
2. GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES 
3. ALMONDS
4. GINGER
5. PEPPER POWDER 
6. INDIAN GOOSEBERRY
7. FISH
8. WHOLE GRAINS
9. QUINOA 
10. BULGUR WHEAT
11. LEGUMES
12. YOGURT
13. GARLIC
14. BROCCOLI
15. BELL PEPPER