6 Everyday, Natural Ways to Boost Your Immune System

6 Everyday, Natural Ways to Boost Your Immune System

Your immune system is your body's way of protecting you against illness. When you are exposed to viruses or bacteria, you rely heavily on your immune system to tackle those problems and keep you healthy.

There are a number of easy, everyday ways you can boost your immune system naturally that could help you stay healthy long into the future.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has long been recognized for helping protect against colds and flu in the colder months. Along with being well-known as a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C is also essential for helping your body regulate the production of white blood cells that can help protect you against viruses and bacteria.

You can increase your vitamin C intake by eating citrus fruits such as oranges, mandarins, grapefruit, lemons, and limes. Plenty of other fruits and vegetables are rich in natural vitamin C, including strawberries, peppers, kiwifruit, blackcurrants, guava, broccoli, spinach, and Brussels sprouts.

Vitamin D

Perhaps the easiest way to give your immune system a quick boost is to head outside and get into the sunshine. Being outside helps your body soak up UVB rays that are synthesized into vitamin D within your own body. Just be careful not to stay in the sun too long and/or protect sensitive parts of your body, or you risk causing skin damage or sunburn.

If you're unable to get out into the sunshine during cooler months, another alternative is to eat foods rich in vitamin D2. These include egg yolks, tuna, salmon, mackerel, and cheese.

Mushrooms are also a natural source of vitamin D, and they're known to increase your body's production of white blood cells. You can also find foods available that have been fortified with vitamin D, including soy milk, orange juice, some cereals, and dairy products.

Garlic

Adding garlic to your meals can go a long way toward naturally boosting your immune system. Garlic contains a variety of nutrients, including allicin, that can help you fight off infections and protect against bacteria and viruses. Garlic is also known to help increase the number of virus-fighting T-cells your body creates.

If you're not a fan of adding garlic into your meals, consider whether garlic extract might be more beneficial for your health needs instead.

Omega 3

Getting plenty of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet can help reduce inflammation and may enhance your overall immune functions. Consider adding fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, sardines, herring, and mackerel, into your diet a few times a week as a natural way to boost your immune system.

Get a Good Night's Sleep

Perhaps one of the most important aspects of improving your immune system is sticking to a healthy sleeping schedule. Your body and your mind have the opportunity to refresh and rejuvenate while you sleep. When you are well-rested your body naturally produces a higher level of T-cells, which can make you less susceptible to common ailments such as colds and flu.

Exercise

Many people cringe at the thought of heading to the gym to get all red-faced and sweaty just to get some exercise into their week. Yet the reality is exercise can help improve your overall cardiovascular health and boost your circulatory system.

Regular exercise can reduce blood pressure, assist in maintaining a healthy body weight and protect you against a number of diseases.

Getting enough exercise into your day is often easier than many people think. Instead of spending money on expensive gym memberships, consider taking a walk around the block a few times a week. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Turn on some music and dance to your favorite tunes for a while each day. Swimming is also an excellent low-impact form of exercise that can help boost your immune system.

Make These Tips Part of Your Daily Routine

If you're keen to protect yourself against viruses and bacteria, think about including some of these natural ways to boost your immune system into your weekly routine.

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