by Anja Emerson

Created on: September 12, 2009   Last Updated: October 01, 2010

Your immune system is the powerful barrier between you and the environment, which protects you from harmful foreign substances or pathogens and guards your health and well-being. It is a defense system, constantly fighting against all the threats found in your food, medication and even in the air you breathe.

Having a healthy immune system is essential to your general health, and ultimately, to your survival. The strength of your immune system is what influences your ability to resist against harmful bacteria and viruses such as influenza.

In order to maintain a healthy immune system that is ready to protect you at all times, follow these general tips:

1. Make healthy lifestyle choices.

By far the most important part of being healthy and the key to having a strong immune system is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This means you need to properly take care of your body and respond adequately to its needs.

Avoid stress: High stress levels will inhibit the activity of the thymus gland by as much as 60% of its potential. This will weaken your immune system and expose you to diseases.

Sleep properly: Always get a good night’s rest. Your brain and your immune system need 8 hours of sleep on average to replenish their strength. If your body is tired and weak, this will hinder it from fighting against potential disease.

Exercise daily: By doing some mild to moderate physical activity for half an hour every day, your immune system will be a lot stronger. This will also prevent diseases and keep you looking and feeling good.

2. Have a healthy diet.

The food you eat is your body’s fuel and this will reflect on your general health. If you eat nutritious, healthy food, this will strengthen your immune system; however, if you have a poor diet, this will weaken it and make you susceptible to disease.

Avoid junk food: The large amount of fat and chemicals in processed food will depress your immune system, besides affecting your overall health.

Eat organic food: Always choose the most natural foods you can find. Maintain a balanced and diverse diet and focus on including plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet, as these are powerful antioxidants. Many herbs are also useful at helping your body keep infections at bay, such as: bee propolis, cinnamon, clove, garlic, oregano, thyme etc.

Drink lots of water: Drink around 8 glasses of water every day and avoid dehydrating yourself. Water is the essence of life because it aids the chemical processes in your body.

3. Take dietary supplements.

If you feel this can benefit you, take some supplements like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Beta-carotene, Green tea or Oregano Oil. However, you should first talk to a health professional before using any of these remedies and ask for specific recommendations that fit your lifestyle.

While you may not be aware of the functioning of your immune system on a daily basis, its health is essential to the quality of your life and without it, you wouldn’t be able to survive. If you take care of your immune system, it can in turn, take care of you.

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