Ajit Karn
Five ways to boost your immune system, These natural immune-boosting tips will help you assess how your immune system is doing
5 ways to boost your immune system
Know yourself
This quick checklist will help you assess how your immune system is doing.
- Three to four colds per year are my norm
- Each year I get a stomach virus
- Cystitis or thrush is a frequent symptom for me.
- Each year, I take at most one course of antibiotics
- My family has a history of cancer
- My neck, armpits and groin glands feel tender
- Allergies are a problem for me
- I take medication
- I have an inflammatory condition (e.g. eczema, asthma, arthritis)
It could indicate that your immune system needs extra support if you answered yes to more than three of these statements.
Get help from your diet
To maintain a healthy immune system, our bodies require the appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals. The immune system can be suppressed if it is not adequately nourished with vitamins A, B1, A2, B6, B12, folic acid, and C. Iron, magnesium, and selenium deficiencies are also possible.
This guide details the vitamins, minerals, and foods that contain them.
A balanced diet can provide all the necessary nutrients. Everyone is aware of the importance of consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, whole cereals, and healthy fats. Additionally, we avoid processed foods and excess salt and sugar.
If you are following these guidelines and still feel ill, it is not necessary to take supplements. Instead, you can examine your eating and cooking habits to determine whether you are receiving the most nutrients from the food you consume.
Nutrient robbers
Both smoking and alcohol deplete the body of vitamins A, C, B1, B6, and calcium (which aids magnesium absorption).
Caffeine inhibits the assimilation of the vitamins A, B1, B6, calcium, and iron.
Some medications, such as antidepressants and sleeping drugs, can interfere with the assimilation of vitamins and minerals. For additional information, it is recommended to consult a physician.
What can you do?
To determine if you have problems with nutrient absorption, consider the following. You should select the finest produce available, such as peas that were frozen shortly after harvesting. Vitamins are preserved by steaming and other fast preparation methods that require little water. You can combine certain foods to obtain more nutrients. Vitamin C, for instance, enhances iron absorption (non-animal source), so add lemon juice when steaming or eating raw greens like spinach and kale.
Social support and stress management
Anxiety and stress can also deplete nutrients, particularly vitamin B1 and B6. This is combined with the stress-related behaviours of excess or undereating, smoking, alcohol, overworking, and insufficient sleep. All of these will have an effect on our immunity and general health.
Research in the field of Health Psychology demonstrates a long-standing association between stress and an increased risk of contracting infectious diseases. Additionally, we know that social support can mitigate some of these effects. Ensure that you spend quality time with your peers, even if it seems impossible to do so when you are under duress.
You do not require social support from your nearest family members and acquaintances. You can develop a community network by volunteering, instructing, or simply being present.
Also read: The Benefits of Daily Yoga Practice
Could you keep it clean?
The rhinovirus causes the common cold. Colds can be spread through direct contact with the rhinovirus (like someone coughing or sneezing). Or indirectly by touching surfaces that have the rhinovirus.
According to the World Health Organisation, handwashing is one the easiest and most effective ways to reduce the spread of germs. This has been a major focus throughout the pandemic. Research shows that most of us aren’t doing a good job. The most overlooked spots are between your fingers, your thumb base, and your back.
For thousands of years, Yogic cleansing has maintained a healthy body and mind. For inspiration, check out Andrew and David’s classes on using the Neti pot or tongue cleansing.
Yoga can be a great way to help
Lymph is a substance that runs through the body and picks up bacteria. While blood circulates the body due to the heart beating, lymph moves around because the body moves! Yoga asana and any other exercise will help support our immune system. Yoga allows us to practice inversions like Headstands and Shoulderstands. All of these inversions benefit from the law of gravity can help increase lymph circulation. Yoga and immunology to learn more about the physiology and function of the immune system.
Yoga’s asana is not the only thing that can help. Pranayama (breathing techniques), such as Nadi Shodhana or Kapalabhati, is believed to improve physical and mental health. They clear obstacles that prevent Prana from flowing freely through the body.
