Resistance Power

Resistance Power -

1.Keeping fit and active helps the body to circulate lymph throughout the body. Simply 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day can help the immune system to optimally carry out its defense.
2. Too little sleep or poor quality sleep weakens the immune system - leaving us more susceptible to other diseases and disorders. It is fairly common to see that people who suffer from insomnia or other sleep disturbance often also suffer from other physical ailments. They tend to get sick more frequently, have more allergies than others, and may even suffer from diabetes or another immune-related disorder. During sleep our bodies ‘re-charge’ - so it is important to aim at getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night to keep our immune systems in good working order.
3. Being overweight or underweight can be unhealthy and affect the body’s ability to fight illness. The best preventative measure is to try and maintain a healthy weight and try cut down on your calorie intake. Reduced calorie intake improves the maintenance and production of important T-cells in the body, while excessive body fat tends to have a negative impact on the white blood cell’s ability to fight off infection and illness. However, be sure not to get caught up in yo-yo dieting habits, as this has proven to have a very negative impact on the immune system.
4. Zinc plays an important role in normal growth and increases antibody production. It can be found in seafood, eggs, turkey and pumpkin seeds. Wheat-germ is also a good source of zinc as well as Vitamin E.
5. Vitamin B6 helps with the production of antibodies, and good sources include bananas, carrots, lentils, tuna, salmon, sunflower seeds, and wholegrain flour.
6. Look after your emotional health, find ways to reduce your stress levels, and learn how to relax! Ongoing stress places an incredible strain on the immune system, and this makes you more susceptible to illnesses going around. Anxiety and depression have similarly bad effects on the immune system, and every effort should be made to resolve emotional issues before they affect your health. Laughter is a great way to boost the immune system, as is meditation, yoga, and other stress- relieving exercises.
7. Look at your family and personal medical history to give you an idea of your body’s potential weaknesses and take necessary measures to prevent future illness. Keep your medical and dental checks regular, and take an active role in maintaining your health!
8. Cultured or fermented foods such as yogurt provides the body with the ‘good’ bacteria that help to fight off the ‘bad’ bacteria.
9. A good multivitamin can help to replenish these levels of vital vitamins and minerals that we need.
10. Cover your mouth when yawning, sneezing or coughing
11. Don’t share cups and things that have been in contact with the saliva of another (especially if they are sick)
12. Keep your kitchen clean and wash dishes in hot soapy water to kill germs
13. Avoid sharing wash cloths and towels
14. Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, to keep hydrated will keep all body systems healthy, not only the immune system.
15. Healthy fats are also necessary and these are found in things like olive oil, avocados, fatty fish and nuts.