by C.M. Tucker

Created on: January 22, 2012   Last Updated: March 18, 2012

Here's a foul word for some folks:  Exercise.  Nutrition is critical for a healthy and robust immune system, but it won't be worth a hill of beans if there isn't the right amount and kind of exercise.

Not boosting your immune system and eating things that compromise it is a mistake.  Our immune system can be dramatically boosted by knowing what to do and not do in our daily lives.  We don’t see the effects of our dietary abuses when we are young.  Poor diet and exercise habits rob us silently and over time.

There is growing evidence that Cancer and other illnesses and diseases are more likely due to diet and lifestyle than to any genetic cause. Cancer  Our immune system is bombarded daily with stress and other factors that expose us to bacteria and virus elements that normally wouldn't harm us.

Sleep, stress management, diet and exercise are the four primary keys to staying healthy.  Enough good sleep is critical.  Like a bad diet, long-term sleep deprivation rots the immune system without being noticed.  You might easily get by on only five hours of sleep each night for years.  You might go around thinking that all you need is five hours a night.   Then, for no apparent reason at all, you are sick more often than you have been.  Maybe you get diagnosed with diabetes or some other illness.

Once sleep deprivation starts to rob one of things one deems important, it is nearly impossible to rectify those problems with just sleep.  Lack of enough good sleep may cause problems like over eating, memory issues, attention issues, and problems with the adrenal glands. sleep and adrenals.

Stress management is important for good sleep and immune function.  An imbalance of cortisol (produced by the adrenal glands) can damage the immune system.  Things one can do to manage stress includes massage (some of this you can do yourself on the feet and hands), meditation, yoga, laughter, mild exercise, sex, petting a pet, singing, positive visual exercises (fantasy vacation, etc.), a leisurely scented bath and/or listening to relaxing music.  strategies.

Diet is a basic contributing factor to a healthy immune system.  Things that can harm or compromise the immune system include cigarette smoke (direct or second hand) because it increases inflammation and respiratory mucus, caffeine (the half life of coffee caffeine is 9 hours),

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