Your immune system helps keep viruses, bacteria and toxins at bay. It also removes unhealthy cells from your body and regulates various bodily functions. It’s important to take care of your health – especially when it comes to keeping your immune system in great shape. Here are 3 ways to do so that you may not have considered:
1. Use an IV drip for hydration
Not many people realize the importance of drinking enough water to boost the immune system. Every person is different, but you should aim to drink between six to eight glasses of water a day. When you drink enough water, you flush out toxins, your blood is oxygenated, and your vital organs function at their best.
The water in your blood makes up the vast majority. It carries the cells which fight infection all around your body. When you are dehydrated, it slows down the movement of the lymph, so your immune system does not function as it should. Even if you don’t exercise, simply breathing means you lose water, and you also lose it through sweating, urine, and bowel movements. You need to drink enough water.
In certain circumstances, such as when you have the stomach flu or are sick, it can be hard to drink the amount of water you need to keep your system hydrated. This is when an IV drip can make a difference. Drip Hydration, Infinite Wellness and Hydrate Medical offer in-home IV hydration in Concord NC. A drip administered by certified nurses will help to hydrate you. If you want to recover from an illness faster, you can supercharge your immune system with an IV drip containing a combination of IV fluids and high-dose vitamin C, zinc, and antioxidants.
2. Hop into the sauna
Taking regular saunas seems to have the ability to improve your health. Sweating, we enjoy the feeling of opening up our pores and getting relief from a long day. Spending a limited time in an enclosed sauna is one way to experience that satisfaction. Exposing your body to hot temperatures gets your blood pumping, much like when you exercise. Studies suggest that a visit to the sauna can have various health benefits, like reducing inflammation and lowering blood pressure. People who regularly hop in the sauna may see a reduced risk of heart attack or stroke.
Exposure to extreme cold has also been shown to have health benefits. Wim Hof, “The Iceman,” popularized the concept that exposure to the cold can lead to improved functioning of the immune system and other health benefits. Athletes often incorporate ice baths and cold showers into their routines today. Fitness experts call this “environmental conditioning.”
3. Eat foods containing probiotics
Probiotics help to balance the bacteria in the gut. They are sometimes called “good” bacteria. They have various health benefits, such as supporting heart health and digestion. They also support immune health.
It makes sense that probiotics could support immune health because many of the cells that create antibodies for fighting illness are in the gut. If you have a healthy gut, you may be less likely to become ill. Probiotics appear naturally in fermented and cultured foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut.
Acidophilus, which is found in yogurt, might support the immune system, according to a 2020 meta-analysis published in the Food Bioscience journal. Always read the label on yogurt before buying it, as it needs to contain active or live cultures to benefit your gut health and immune system.
Kefir is a drink that contains live cultures of bacteria and yeast. According to a 2017 review, numerous studies show that regular consumption of kefir can help to reduce inflammation and fight bacteria, in addition to promoting antioxidant activity.
Sauerkraut is finely shredded fermented cabbage that has probiotic qualities and lots of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Getting probiotics from food appears to have the edge over taking probiotic supplements. Your gut’s microbiome is changed by what you eat at a quicker rate than other parts of the body. The fermentation of food may also make other nutrients more bioavailable.
A word of caution: Too many probiotics can cause gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea. If you have a compromised immune system and are introducing new bacteria to your body, it may slow the healing process.
Putting live bacteria into your body won’t make up for not eating a healthy, balanced diet. Some foods can lead you to have a weak immune system and make you more susceptible to sickness. Eating alcohol, sugar and processed foods regularly can cause inflammation and chronic conditions such as heart disease.
