3 Natural Solutions to Boost Immune System
EASILY BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM WITH THESE THREE SOLUTIONS
- Appropriate Nutrition
- Daily Exercise
- Rest and Recovery
Think about it...
We’re continuously exposed to environment factors that can have an ill effect on our immune systems. From pollution to germs, viruses, adverse climates, the list goes on and on.
But our bodies built in defense mechanisms can fight off these environment villains and keep us healthy.
The key? Take care of your body's natural defense mechanisms and they'll take care of you.
Those defense mechanisms come in the form or our immune systems, a chain of cells and proteins that protect the body against contamination from external harmful microorganisms.
Keep reading to learn about the basics of the immune system, the reaction process, and how you can improve your immune system's function and response.
THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Human beings have two types of immunity:
- Innate
- Adaptive
INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEM | ADAPTIVE IMMUNE SYSTEM |
Also referred to as the non-specific immune system | Also called the acquired, learned, or specific immune system |
We’re born with it | We obtain it as our bodies develop |
Uses immune cells (such as natural killer cells and phagocytes) to fight harmful bacteria and germs | Forms new antibodies when our bodies fall sick then stores that memory to fight similar disease-causing parasites, bacteria, fungi, viruses, or germs that re-enter the body |
IMMUNE FUNCTIONS: REACTION/RESPONSE
Immune response refers to the process of how your body acknowledges and guards itself against unknown and dangerous bacteria, viruses, and other illness-causing substances.
A reaction in the immune system is activated when the body suspects foreign substances in the body called antigens.
Antigens include proteins found on the surfaces of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. When the antigens attach to the immune cells, the white blood cells (WBC) eat the antigens and die. Then your body gets rid of the dead WBC in the form of pus.
The immune system records information about all the microbes or germs that it has previously overcome so that it can recognize and eradicate them faster if they ever enter the body again.
Did you know?
The body’s cells also have proteins on their surface. Although those proteins are healthy and harmless, sometimes they trigger the immune system reaction, causing the body to attack itself. This situation is called an autoimmune response.
As much as the immune response is a natural process, it can dwindle for reasons such as aging, poor nutrition, and chronic stress just to mention a few.
3 NATURAL WAYS TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM REACTION
We'll be taking a look at three solutions you can incorporate into your daily routine to strengthen your immune system and prolong your vitality.
- Appropriate Nutrition
- Daily Exercise
- Rest and Recovery
1. CONSUME ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS AND MINERALS TO BOOST IMMUNE FUNCTIONS
Eating a balanced diet that contains a wholesome combination of essential nutrients and minerals is the surest way to boost your immune health.
The vital nutrients and minerals that give you a strong immune system include:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Antioxidants
The majority of these nutrients are found in green vegetables and fruits.
Vegetables digest quicker than other foods meaning you’ll absorb what you need faster.
Additionally, fruits and vegetables have fiber which is great for your gut health and have no toxic substances such as ammonia (found in meat).
Similar to greens, seeds are also very nutritious. Sunflower seeds, for example, are rich in vitamin E, B1, B6, iron, and selenium. Other seeds that will provide equal amounts of nutrients and minerals include chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds.
Hence, a healthy diet that contains plenty of green vegetables, fruits, and seeds is the best organic solution for boosting your immune system.
However, several factors can lower the quality of the food we eat and hence decrease the health benefits. That includes overcooking vegetables, eating processed foods, or even combining the wrong foods.
For instance, did you know that calcium hinders the absorption of iron? Whilst vitamin C and beta carotene boost iron intake in the body?
Make sure to add nutrient dense vegetables and foods to your diet, without over cooking them.
Lastly, staying hydrated feeds your body with the necessary fuel that you need. And our natural BCAA powder is the perfect drink. It has natural electrolytes from Pink Himalayan Sea Salt to hydrate you and improve cell function.
2. EXERCISE REGULARY
Getting active will do more than just build muscles and help you lose weight.
Engaging in regular exercise builds your immune system reaction by:
- Increasing blood flow in the immune system cells
- Strengthening antibodies
- Reducing stress and inflammation
Here’s what happens when you workout:
- Your muscles contract and release cytokines or myokines. These are anti-inflammatory hormones that control immune cell activity.
- You release a hormone called Catecholamine whose job is to send WBC to surface tissues so that they can monitor and arrest harmful pathogens.
- The progenitor cells found in the bone marrow are triggered to produce lymphocytes/WBC.
- There’s a brief increase in body temperature hence disrupting the bacteria growing environment. The body acts the same way it does when you have a fever — such that it fights infection better.
ATH Sport has a plant-based pre-workout supplement to help you get the most out of your physical activity in the gym, at home, or at the park. Our pre-workout is specially made with a blend of six organic-certified adaptogenic mushrooms.
“I stumbled upon this several months ago looking for a pre-workout that wasn't slammed with caffeine. As a flight nurse with rotating shifts, I can come off a long flight or shift and workout like I hadn't been at work at all. If I take the pre workout and get tied up or get a call without being able to workout, I’m able to stay focused on my patients/work without getting any jitters or feeling sick. The strawberry is okay but the blue raz is amazing!!!” -R.K
3. REST AND RECOVER
After a long day of feeding and working out, your body needs time to rejuvenate so that it can fight again the following day.
Adequate sleep helps the immune system’s reaction by improving its ability to memorize how to recognize and fight dangerous antigens.
The process is similar to how sleeping helps the brain to strengthen its learning and memory abilities.
Stress, on the other hand, dwindles the effectiveness of the immune system.
Specifically, chronic stress hormones limit the number of immune cells that circulate in the bloodstream.
As a result, your body concentrates on producing cortisol — the stress-reducing hormone — instead of circulating white blood cells.
BOTTOM LINE
Boosting your immune system reaction by using these three tips will keep you healthy, happy, and living your best life.
1. Explore different cooking methods to preserve the nutrients in your foods as much as possible. Think, raw vegetables, smoothies, fruit bowls, the skies the limit.
2. Make sure to move your body and exercise regularly. Active lifestyles boost immune functions and optimize health. Recharge your immune system by engaging in exercise regularly.
3. Get adequate rest to allow your immune system to bounce back and keep you healthy.
Visit ATH Sport today and find the right natural supplements for you to boost your immune system reaction and overall health.