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What is the immune system?

What is the immune system?

Your immune system is the body’s first line of defence against infections, viruses and disease. The demands of a modern lifestyle often bring high levels of stress, and make healthy eating and exercising tricky – all of this impacts on your immunity. But what actually is the immune system? Why does it matter and how do you improve it?

What is the immune system?

To put it simply – your immune system is a complex network of cells that keeps your body protected against bacteria, viruses and toxins. There’s no two ways about it: the health of your body relies on the health of your immune system.

We like to think of the immune system as the gatekeepers of your body, deciding who and what is allowed inside. If those gatekeepers start falling asleep on their watch, infections and toxins can slip into your body more easily. Not only does your immune system keep out those nasty bugs when it first meets them, it also has a memory, and can recognise them more quickly if they come back. Your immune system can also recognise and combat damaging changes in your body, such as cells becoming cancerous. Ultimately, your immune system is critical to keeping your body healthy. .

How do I maintain my immune system?

Like all other aspects of your body, you need to give your immune system a helping hand in order for it to function properly. If your stress levels are high from work, you’re not getting enough daily exercise or your diet is poor, your immune system will inevitably suffer. It’s essential to keep the gatekeepers up, ready and alert for the daily attacks on your body. So – what’s the best way to keep your immune system ticking?

Keep calm

Prolonged stress dampens your immune system, making you more prone to infections. This is why you may find yourself more prone to colds and flu around the time of exams of stressful work periods. Daily meditation and mindfulness are great ways to combat stress which can help to keep your immune system in check

Move your body

Your immune system thrives on exercise. Moving your body for 30 minutes per day helps to keep your immune cells healthy. A lack of movement prevents your immune cells from functioning properly, leaving you more likely to get sick. In fact, a lack of exercise can lead to your immune system activating at the wrong time, causing inflammation, which is linked to cancer, obesity and heart disease. Remember, any type of movement that gets your heart rate up counts as exercise.

Eat the right stuff

With 70% of the immune system in your gut, a well-balanced diet is also crucial. Fibre is the best food for your gut microbiome, so make sure you are getting lots of fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains. Oily fish also contain important fats called omega-3’s which can help keep your immune system in check.

A healthy lifestyle is vital. As long as you have a committed exercise routine and ways to combat your stress, you’ll have a strong chance of cultivating and maintaining a strong immune system. However, there’s always something more you can do to give your body some assistance.

 

All of our blog articles are reviewed for medical accuracy by our Medical Director before publication.

Posted in: All, Men's Health

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