Healthizm

Practitioners of health, purveyors of elixirs, snake oil sales, the latest publications of medical studies. All the above have specific opinions about exactly how the human immune system works. When it comes to not getting sick, or regaining health once illness has set in, one of the best approaches is to know the facts, be a little skeptical, but also be willing to try specific techniques that might provide benefits in light of anecdotal or scientific evidence to the contrary.

One of the first conclusions which must be accepted is the fact that immunity in the body is the result of a vast number of contributing components. This is why it is called a system. The body actually does a rather remarkable job at keeping the nasty things which are responsible for disease from overtaking otherwise healthy persons.

As complex as immunity is, and just as uncertain as is the concepts of whether “boosting” ones immunity is even possible, there are some ways that are generally accepted as providing benefits to the body.

Living Healthy

All the things that are good for the body are likely to help it reinforce its own natural abilities to ward off the diseases germs bring. Some activities which seem to help increase immunity are as follows:

• Not smoking
• Reducing saturate fats and increasing vegetable and fiber intake in ones diet
• Keeping weight at healthy levels by reducing calorie intake and increasing exercise
• Drinking alcohol in moderation
• Getting enough rest and sleep
• Washing hands regularly

Staying Warm In Cold Weather

When mothers tell children to wear a coat because it’s cold outside, there may be some good reasons for the advice. Scientific evidence is thin concerning whether the low temperatures are causing the body to be less effective with regards to fighting infections and other disease. What does seem to be more important is how comfortable a person is while they are experiencing low to extremely low temperatures. If wearing a jacket or coat provides the body with a level of comfort in its surroundings, chance are the immune system is going to work better than if it is cold and uncomfortable.

Don’t Stress Out

A good amount of research has been done by a wide variety of scientist and medical practitioners studying the effects of mental and physical stress on the body. Unfortunately, immunologists have not contributed much in the way of data comparing the effects of stress to immunity.

Common sense and plenty of family remedies, however, provide for a number of treatments which include ant-stress techniques. It makes sense that if the mind or body is working overtime dealing with outside stressors it is unlikely to have the resources to ward off the sickness that can sneak in.

Calming the mind and spirit certainly will not hurt ones immune system, and likely will provide benefits far exceeding the lack of scientific proof of its effectiveness.

Supplements and Herbal Remedies

This is one of those unproven areas of immunity boosting treatments. Though research is constantly being done to show efficacy of one claim or another, much of what is touted as immunity boosting can only be described as conjecture.

One of the major challenges with proving an herb or vitamin supplement as being universally true has to do more with how individuals react to specific ingredients. What works for one may certainly not work for another.

Stay Young

Of course, this is easier said than done. Time waits for no one, apparently. While stopping the aging process may not be possible, keeping the mind and body supple, agile and thinking young may well have the immunity boosting effects one is looking for.

Some studies show that as the human body ages it has increasing difficulty fighting infections and preventing diseases from wreaking havoc. Mental acuteness seems to have positive effects on the body’s perception of its age. Stay sharp, and continue thinking young, healthy thoughts.

Be Skeptical With an Open Mind

Very few scientific studies show anything conclusive when it comes to truly providing for immune system boosting. As such, maintaining a healthy skepticism regarding popular remedies and cures may be sound advice.

At the same time, understanding the general deficiency in conclusive evidence regarding immunity boosting solutions means there are a number of possible avenues one might choose to explore. Be wise, seek additional information where lacking and be willing to try something new to see if it just might work.

This post was brought to you by guest blogger, Vern Marker. Vern is a freelance writer with a passion for health, who has worked for a number of health care practitioners including a nutritionist and an endocrinologist.

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