We’ve all seen them: products on the store shelves that claim to boost your immunity. Marla Ahlgrimm says the majority of these have little, if any, science behind them. But, there are a few natural ways to take care of your immune system. Keep reading for more.
Q: What is the immune system?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Your immune system is a vast network of proteins, cells, and processes that help to keep you healthy and free of disease. You can think of it as a record-keeping system of sorts. Each time a new microbe/virus enters your body, the immune system evaluates it and adapts to destroy it. Once the virus is gone, your immune system can then recognize it immediately if it enters your body again. It can then fight it off more effectively and potentially prevent you from becoming sick because of the same virus.
Q: Is it possible to actually boost your immune system function?
Marla Ahlgrimm: It’s possible to strengthen your immune system, but, because it does not consist of a single bodily function, it’s difficult.
Q: What are some ways to strengthen your immunity?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Your body’s first line of defense against any type of illness has a lot to do with your lifestyle. If you smoke, quit. The same advice applies if you drink often and routinely eat unhealthy foods. By maintaining your weight, your activity level, and a regular sleep schedule, your body’s systems – including your immune system – have more time to repair and recover from the stress of each day.
Q: How does age play a role in immune system strength?
Marla Ahlgrimm: As our bodies age, so too does our immune system. It effectively becomes weaker with each passing year, and that can leave older adults more at-risk of diseases and infections. This is in part why the coronavirus pandemic has been so detrimental to older Americans. But, just because your immunity weakens does not mean you are unhealthy. It is entirely possible to age healthily by heeding general advice about maintaining healthy habits.
