The human immune system does a remarkable job of protecting the body against invaders ! But sometimes it can fail.  A germ invades successfully and makes you sick. What can be done to improve your immunity so that you fall sick less often or recover faster than others ? 

There is still much that researchers don’t know about the exact details of the functioning of the immune response and have not yet scientifically proven direct links between lifestyle and enhanced immune function.

However, researchers are exploring the effects of diet, exercise, age, psychological stress, herbal supplements, and other factors on the immune response, both in animals and in humans with interesting results in the preliminary stages. In the meantime, general healthy-living strategies are a good way to start giving your immune system the upper hand.

Ways to boost the immune system !

First and foremost is a healthy lifestyle which is the first line of defence. All systems in the body, including your immune system, function better when protected from environmental assaults and toxins and get a boost with the following guidelines.

• Avoid smoking. In a study on effects of tobacco smoke on immunity, inflammation and autoimmunity, cigarette smoke was shown to increase the production of numerous pro-inflammatory substances called cytokines and to decrease the levels of anti-inflammatory substances.

• Avoid and learn to manage stress.  Studies in the past of medical students revealed that the students' immunity went down every year under the simple stress of the three-day exam period. Test takers had fewer natural killer cells, which fight tumors and viral infections. They almost stopped producing immunity-boosting gamma interferon and infection-fighting T-cells responded only weakly. A meta-analytic study of over 30 years of inquiry found that chronic stressors were associated with suppression of immunity. Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in saturated fat.  Learning to manage stress or seeking professional help where necessary would help keep the immune responses up and active.

• Exercise regularly. Exercise not only helps your immune system fight off simple bacterial and viral infections, it decreases your chances of developing other chronic lifestyle related diseases which in turn impact immune responses.Physical activity may help by flushing bacteria out from the lungs (thus decreasing the chance of a cold, flu, or other airborne illness) and exercise also sends antibodies and white blood cells (the body's defense cells) through the body at a quicker rate. As these antibodies or white blood cells circulate more rapidly, they could detect illnesses earlier than they might normally. The increased rate of circulating blood may also trigger the release of hormones that "warn" immune cells of intruding bacteria or viruses.

• Cut down on alcohol: If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.   Excess alcohol consumption may lead to immune deficiency, causing increased susceptibility to certain diseases. Life-threatening

• Wash hands: Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.

• Get regular medical checks: Get regular medical screening tests for people in your age group and risk category.