Having a strong immune system is one of the biggest advantages ever because you’re protected against viruses and bacteria. Airborne diseases such as COVID-19 can pose a considerable threat to your health and can be particularly dangerous if you have a weak immune system. You need your body’s defenses to be as strong as possible. In case you didn’t already know, diet and lifestyle factors strongly influence the immune response. If you want to stay healthy and function perfectly, this is what you need to do.
Limit added sugars
In your diet, sugars can occur naturally or they can be added. Added sugars are sugar carbohydrates that are put in foods and beverages during processing. If you’re sprinkling white granules on your morning coffee, you’re ingesting added sugars. The problem with added sugars is that they lead to obesity, types 2 diabetes, and heart disease, which in turn weaken the immune system. Consuming too many sugary foods and beverages adversely affects the immune function, so lower your sugar intake. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you’re safe because you rarely drink soda or eat baked goods. Added sugars hide in products that many believe to be healthy, such as yogurt and popcorn, just to name a few.
Your aim is to spot and avoid added sugars, which is easier said than done. When you go shopping, carefully read the ingredient list. It won’t tell you the exact quantities of ingredients, but it will let you know what’s in the product you’re about to buy. You’ll find added sugars in ketchup, sports drinks, premade soup, breakfast cereal, and so on. Pay close attention to words that end in “ose”, like fructose, maltose, and dextrose. And let’s not forget about syrups. The label doesn’t always clearly specify that there are added sugars in the mix. You should better buy whole fruit. Natural sugars have an important role in the diet, so you can’t cut them out.
Hydrate all the time
Drinking lots and lots of water is an important element in maintaining a balanced immune system. If there is enough fluid in the circulatory system, it’s easier to transport infection-fighting immune cells around the body. Also, the immune system is strongly dependent upon the nutrients in the bloodstream, which is made up of water. Hydrating at regular intervals is important for overall health. It supports immune communication and biochemical pathways in the immune system. Even if you don’t have an active lifestyle – that is, you don’t work out and sweat – you’re losing water through your breath, not to mention your urine and bowel movements.
Keep a bottle of water close by in case you get thirsty. Some say that it’s a good idea to drink around 8 glasses of water per day. People have unique needs, so you don’t have to drink that much water to stay hydrated. A good way to determine your level of hydration is to look at the color of your urine. If it’s dark and has a foul odor, you’re not drinking plenty of water. On the other hand, if the urine is too clear, you’re drinking too much water. Water is the best option for staying hydrated, but the good news is that it’s not the only one. You can drink green or black tea, milk, vegetable juice, and so on. You’re allowed a moderate intake of caffeine. Aside from these usual tips for hydration, you can also view the different wellness options in Hendersonville.
Start eating raw cocoa
Cocoa has the ability to interact with the immune system, positively modifying its functionality. This food is rich in polyphenols, so it’s a great antioxidant and it’s beneficial for cardiovascular health, brain function, and cancer prevention. Eating cacao results in an increase of T-cells, i.e. the immune markers in your blood. T-cells help B-cells produce antibodies that kill virus-infected cells. Instead of reaching for some vitamin C, you should better eat raw cocoa. Or get a bar of dark chocolate. The cocoa found in dark chocolate will strengthen the defenses of your body.
If you don’t like the bitter flavor of raw cocoa, eat chocolate instead. A CBD-infused chocolate bar can help improve your immune system and your overall health. Plus, it will tickle your taste buds. If you’re not a fan of chocolate, leverage the long-lasting effects of a delta 8 cart; it shows promising results in terms of activating the immune function. You could also try delta 8 gummies if you want something a little more delightful. Getting back on topic, the experts at OrganicCBDNugs draw attention to the fact that CBD isn’t intended to treat medical conditions, even if it has shown promising results. The exact mechanics behind CBD remain unclear. If you’re taking prescription medication, it’s important to discuss with your treating physician. Getting back on topic, CBD can function as an immunomodulator but don’t expect miraculous results.
Manage stress
When you’re stressed, the immune system isn’t able to fight off antigens. The result is that you become prone to developing infections. Do you feel lonely or depressed? Don’t be surprised if you come down with something. Your state of mind affects your overall well-being. Stress is directly related to changes in the number of white blood cells and changes in the functioning of the immune system. Going through a divorce can produce the same immune outcome as the stress resulting from unemployment. Don’t take everything to heart. Stress is virtually unavoidable, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t gain control of your life.
Hard as it may seem, try to manage stress. Try to forget about it. Don’t give too much consideration to ordinary things. Give your mind a break and don’t focus your attention on problems, no matter how important they may seem. Take some time for yourself. To be more precise, go for a walk or meet up with your friends. It’s not selfish to think about yourself. It’s not recommended to ignore stress until it becomes unbearable. If you’ve got a pressing issue that requires attention, don’t postpone it. Nip stress in the bud and you’ll feel a lot better.
All in all, you can give the immune system a helping hand. You can prevent colds, the flu, not to mention other infections. Washing your hands and avoiding contact with sick people isn’t one hundred percent efficient. Boosting your immune system is the only thing that will keep you healthy.
