Research to develop new treatments and drugs for common diseases is an important aspect of keeping people healthy, but medical professionals know that a strong immune system is the best way to prevent disease. A healthy immune system can be developed and supported by eating a nutritious diet, getting enough sleep and reducing the stress in your life as much as possible. Unfortunately, many people do not understand what makes up a nutritious diet or how much rest they really need.
Getting the right kind of nutrition on a regular basis is an essential requirement for maintaining a healthy immune system, but finding the necessary nutrients in the foods available today can be difficult. This is why supplementing one’s diet with antioxidant-rich vitamins, minerals and herbs is necessary to ensure the immune system is adequately supported.
What About Sleep?
In addition to proper nutrition, sleep is a very important factor in staying healthy and having the ability to effectively fight inflammation. The human body was designed to function best with about eight hours of sleep within a 24-hour time period. While many people feel rested with less sleep, their immune system is probably not as healthy as it should be. Too little sleep can also contribute to elevated stress levels that depress the immune system.
Can Exercise Help Strengthen Your Immune System?
Exercise is also important to maintaining a strong immune system, so developing a regular fitness routine is a good idea. Local gyms are a good choice because it is possible to workout, run, or swim even when the weather is too hot or cold to enjoy exercising outdoors. Recommendations to develop a healthy immune system by your doctor often include getting a minimum amount of exercise as well as avoiding bad habits such as using nicotine in any form or drinking too much alcohol.
Medical research has developed a number of effective new drugs to treat the diseases that are most common, such as heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. However, because prevention is often the best approach to good health, a strong immune system is often a doctor-recommended choice. Sometimes the immune system can be so weakened that we will develop recurrent infections requiring antibiotics or even admission to the hospital. Our allergists are also board-certified in immunology, so if there are questions regarding your immune system, call today for consultation at one of our Asthma and Allergy Associates locations in Colorado Springs, Pueblo or Canon City.