The cold and flu reign in the winter, so it’s no surprise that many people want to boost their immune system before it gets really cold. The low temperatures are able to wreck your immune system, and you can only get through the season unscathed if you take the time to improve your body before winter even comes. The good news is that it’s fairly easy to become healthier before the snow and bitter winds come around.
More Vitamin D
Here’s an interesting fact to think about. Vitamin D helps the immune system function properly, but there are few dietary sources of vitamin D. The majority of people get their daily allowance from the sun. Since there are fewer hours of sunlight during the winter, most people don’t have enough vitamin D for their immune system.
The best way to get enough vitamin D is to start taking supplements. You should take about 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 several months before winter. It’s also a good idea to speak to your doctor beforehand since taking too much vitamin D can be dangerous.
Vitamin C
It’s a common fact that vitamin C is necessary for the immune system, but do you know why? Scientists discovered that the white blood cells and other cells that respond to infections use a massive amount of vitamin C. This vitamin can be considered ammunition for your fight against colds and flus. You can easily get enough by just eating an orange or taking a supplement.
Probiotics
Several studies have found that having an adequate amount of probiotics can help fight colds and improve the immune system. This is because the probiotics keep bad bacteria from sticking to the lining of your stomach. You can get a boost of probiotics from most yogurts, but a supplement might be better if you are severely lacking in this category.
Bigger Salads
The common salad is full of many different vegetables, but even the most basic ones have leafy greens. These are your friends because leafy greens have a significant amount of polyphenols. Aside from a myriad of health benefits, polyphenols have also been found to fight the flu and other infections. Getting one or two servings of leafy greens before winter can give your immune system the power it needs to fight even the worst cold or flu.
Get More Sleep
While eating right is essential to boosting your immune system, too many people focus solely on food and medicine. The truth is that just getting seven or more hours of sleep a day will do wonders for your immune system. If you are tired, then your body is going to be stressed. This stress releases cortisol, which wrecks your immune system, reduces muscle mass and leads to sugar cravings.
Get a good night’s sleep. It’s also a good idea to reduce your stress and take 20-minute naps if you feel tired.
Exercise
Almost everyone knows that exercise can improve the immune system. Moving around and sweating can release hormones that make you feel better. Exercise also ensures that your body is working properly so that you can easily fight infections.
While most people exercise during the spring and summer, it’s a good idea to keep exercising during the colder seasons. If you have a hard time running outside due to the cold air, then just use a treadmill and exercise indoors.
No Antibacterial Soap
This might seem counterintuitive, but it’s a good idea to use chemical-free soaps instead of antibacterial ones. Consider what happens when you use anything antibacterial. If you don’t entirely kill the bacteria, then the remaining cells find ways to destroy or negate the antibacterial substance. This makes them resistant, stronger and possibly deadly.
Not only that, but antibacterial soap usually makes the skin crack due to its drying properties, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the body. It’s good to be clean, but you shouldn’t be too clean.
Conclusion
Boosting your immune system before the winter isn’t hard, but you need to put in the work. Not only do you need to eat the right foods, but you also have to change your lifestyle to include more exercise and less stress. Do your research, use resources such as Askmen, and boosting your immune system will be easier than you think!
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About the author:
Ron Thompson writes for Del-Immune V®, the best natural supplements made from the lactobacillus rhamnosus which is a advanced immune probiotic and immune booster and offers how to treat sinusitis.