Remedies to Strengthen Your Immune System
The immune system is the defense system that protects your body from diseases. It consists of a set of cells, tissues, and organs that work together as a team. Its most important task is that it defends you against external agents and infections.
When your immune system isn’t working right, your body can’t handle these agents. Therefore, in certain situations, you might need remedies to strengthen your immune system.
Immune System Problems
There are four different types of immune system disorders:
- Autoimmune disorders. The immune system attacks itself by mistake, thinking that they’re foreign substances.
- Allergies. This process happens when your body reacts to a certain stimulus in the wrong way.
- Cancer of the immune system.
- Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The number of cells in the immune system is reduced as a consequence of HIV.
Overall, the important thing is to maintain certain habits in order to have a strong immune and a balanced body. That way, you can deal with all kinds of pathogens and prevent diseases.
You may also be interested in: Scientific Advances Develop Vaccine Against Cancerous Tumors
Foods to Strengthen Your Immune System
According to popular wisdom and science, good lifestyle habits contribute to the proper functioning of the immune system. Therefore, there are those who believe that the moderate consumption of the following foods on a regular basis can contribute to its strengthening.
Garlic
Garlic, due to its allicin content, could be able to prevent and treat various infections. Therefore, there are people who consider that by consuming it daily, they could have an optimal immune system.
Garlic is a prominent ingredient in the Mediterranean diet, one of the healthiest and most recommendable diet proposals that exist.
The experts indicate that, within this type of diet, garlic is favorable. However, they’ve not yet been able to verify the relationship established between its consumption and the immune system.
Probiotics
Probiotics are supplements that contain living microorganisms. They’re mainly good bacteria that aren’t toxic or pathogenic and that your body already has.
To modify the immune response, the adherence of probiotics to the intestinal epithelium is very important. If the adherence is good, they manage to prevent disease-causing bacteria from doing so.
However, their effect is not permanent. Therefore, you should take them regularly.
Some foods that are rich in probiotics are:
- Yogurt
- Kefir
- Sauerkraut
- Dark chocolate
- Miso
- Kombucha
If you want to learn more: Top 15 Healthiest Probiotics and Prebiotics
Remedies to Strengthen Your Immune System
Echinacea
Echinacea is said to be a genus of plants that, in addition to reducing stress and fatigue, also stimulate the immune system. For this reason, some consider them to be immunostimulants and adaptogens.
Some varieties can help us feel energetic, while others can help us relax. It all depends on our needs.
Cat’s Claw
Uncaria tomentosa is a plant widely used by the tribes of Peru for various medicinal purposes. Therefore, it’s not surprising that various properties are attributed to it in this region of the world.
There are lots of properties of cat’s claw. Its positive effect on the immune system is that enhances your body’s defenses.
- However, since it’s a bitter plant, some people might not like the taste.
- Additionally, you shouldn’t take it while pregnant or breastfeeding because it can change the taste and production of breast milk.
Exercise to Strengthen Your Immune System
Plants with Sedative Effects
Keep in mind that stress makes your body alert. When you’re more alert, you move energy to your muscles and brain, making your body ready for action. Then, your immune system loses fuel, and you are more vulnerable.
To strengthen your immune system, you need to control your levels of stress and anxiety. You can use natural remedies, like teas with sedative plants. For example, you can drink valerian, chammomile, tilia, passionflower, or hawthorn tea to help you relax.
Note: Although in the world of alternative medicine various natural remedies are recommended to strengthen the immune system, this doesn’t mean that they’re 100% effective or recommended for all cases. Hence the importance of always consulting a doctor before taking them.
Exercise: A great ally for health
We all know that it’s a good idea to exercise regularly. Sports give us vitality, oxygenate us, put us in a good mood, and help us maintain a healthy weight. In addition to all this, physical activity helps the immune system stay alert to avoid infections.
Last but not least, remember that maintaining good lifestyle habits will always benefit your body. So, make sure you eat a good diet, give up a sedentary lifestyle, move more, and in everything you do, take care of yourself.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Descotes, J. (2014). Immune System. In Encyclopedia of Toxicology: Third Edition. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316875117.003
- Harris, J. C., Cottrell, S. L., Plummer, S., & Lloyd, D. (2001). Antimicrobial properties of Allium sativum (garlic). Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530100722
- Meyer, S. A., & Ramasahayam, S. (2014). Echinacea. In Encyclopedia of Toxicology: Third Edition. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-386454-3.01007-1
- Marcelo, adolfo. (2002). Uncaria tomentosa. El Servier. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0392-0488.17.05712-1
- Klaenhammer, T. R., Kleerebezem, M., Kopp, M. V., & Rescigno, M. (2012). The impact of probiotics and prebiotics on the immune system. Nature Reviews Immunology. https://doi.org/10.1038/nri3312
- Nayak, S. K. (2010). Probiotics and immunity: A fish perspective. Fish and Shellfish Immunology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2010.02.017
- Gleeson, M. M. (2006). Immune Function in Sport and Exercise. Immune Function in Sport and Exercise. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-10118-2.X5001-7
