Admin Wendy
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 |  Subject: A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE HELPS TO FIGHT INFECTION  Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:33 pm | |
| Choosing a healthier lifestyle can have an impact on our ability to fight infection, or at least cope better with the illness that winter brings.
Nutrition
It is known that malnourished individuals are at higher risk of infectious disease due to an inadequate immune response. Infection then leads to inflammation and worsening nutritional status which further compromises the immune system. An adequate diet helps maintain immunity and keeps you healthy. The immune system needs such nutrients as protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Severely malnourished people are particularly vulnerable to immune dysfunction, and they get sick more easily than other people and stay sick longer.
Smoking
It is no surprise that smokers tend to suffer from colds and flu. Part of the reason smokers are at risk for lung cancer and respiratory diseases may be that smoking suppresses immune cells. Smoking also robs the body of important nutrients leaving insufficient reserves. Most notable is vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant and is immune function boosting. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system by increasing the production of T and B-Lymphocytes, and other white blood cells.
Excessive Drinking
Vitamin C is also depleted by the chemical action of alcohol on your system. A hangover is caused by a combination of the toxic by-product of alcohol metabolism (acetaldehyde), dehydration, and Vitamin A, B (particularly B6) and C depletion. Vitamin C in acting as an antioxidants important to help fight the cellular damage alcohol consumption can cause.
Physical Activity:
Getting enough exercise strengthens your immune system to fight infection. Research shows that when we exercise endorphins (that give us a sense of well being) are released, and levels of stress hormones drop. This allows an increase in white blood cell production, which increases immunity.
Weight Management
There have been several reports demonstrating that obesity is associated with altered immune function and a chronic low-grade inflammatory status. Specifically it has been reported that obese individuals have a higher incidence and severity of infectious diseases.
So try to maintain those Healthy Habits all year round!
source healthyhabitsforlife.blogspot.com | |
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