There are many things we do in our day to day life that affects our immune health. Factors such as diet and lifestyle play an important role in improving and optimizing immune health. Here are 5 tips to improve your immune response throughout all stages of life.
1. Reduce and Manage your Stress.
One of the most powerful steps you can take in creating a healthy immune response is to lower your stress levels. Chronically elevated stress levels cause an increase in the amount of cortisol, otherwise known as the stress hormone.1 Cortisol has several impacts on the body, one of them includes dampening aspects of the immune system over the short term.1 However, over time, high cortisol levels can lead to an inflammatory cascade which triggers a weaker response from the immune system.1 In a study where researchers looked at the impact of stress on the immune response, it was found that the individuals who were under chronic stress had an increased likelihood of contracting the common cold.1
If you are looking to manage stress levels, try activities such as meditation2, deep breathing2, exercise3, and include hobbies that you enjoy regularly.4 Including a supplement with herbal adaptogens like Siberian ginseng, mushrooms, Holy Basil and Ashwaghandha, can be beneficial for some individuals who are struggling to manage stress.5
2. Eat a Healthy Diet.
Antioxidants, plant-derived nutrients, vitamins and minerals are essential for proper immune function.6 To obtain enough of these vital immune-supporting nutrients, it’s important to consume a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables.6 Aim to include 5 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day to obtain adequate levels of these compounds.
At the same time, it is important to avoid processed foods such as pastries, white breads, fried foods and sugary cereals, as well as any artificial flavours, colours or sweeteners.7 Highly processed foods are higher in trans fats, inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and simple carbohydrates, all of which has been shown to hinder the immune response.7
3. Get Plenty of Sleep.
Sleep is a fundamental component of your health. Without proper sleep, the body cannot mount an effective immune response. Both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system are negatively impacted by a lack of sleep.8 When you sleep, your body produces immune proteins called cytokines which are used to fight off infection. A lack of sleep is associated with increased risk of infection.8
In a study which monitored the impact of sleep on immune function, researchers gave participants nasal drops with the common cold virus.9 Authors found that individuals who slept less than 7 hours were almost three times as likely to develop a cold when compared to those who slept 8 hours.9
4. Incorporate Regular Exercise.
Studies that look at the impact of exercise on immune health find that there is an exercise ‘sweet-spot’, meaning that prolonged periods of intense exercise training can depress immunity, while regular moderate intensity exercise is better to support healthy immunity.10,11
5. Include Daily Key Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements.
The sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D plays an essential role in proper immune function. Individuals who are deficient in vitamin D have a higher prevalence of bacterial and viral infections.12 The lack of sun exposure in winter months results in a large portion (almost 30%) of Canadians who are deficient in vitamin D.13
Vitamin C is important for proper immune function in all age groups.14 A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is needed to maintain proper vitamin C levels.14 Therefore, many populations in North America may need a vitamin C supplement if not including enough of these foods in their everyday diet.
A healthy microbiome is also important for proper immune function.15 Supplementation with probiotics in both food and supplement form has shown to have positive impacts on the immune response in healthy adults.15 In a 2017 study, individuals infected with the common cold were separated into two groups; one that received a probiotic supplement of the bacteria Bifidobacterium animalis and the other a placebo.16 The group which received the probiotic had a stronger immune response.16 Therefore, adding in a probiotic supplement may be beneficial when fighting off a cold or flu.
Although we cannot always control our exposure to infection, we can control lifestyle factors such as sleep, diet, exercise, and added nutrients. Having a healthy immune system may help decrease both the frequency and severity of colds and flus as well as more severe illness throughout your lifetime.
