HEALTH
YOUR IMMUNITY
STRONG , WEAK
OR
By Leah Sobon
GONE
?
It ’ s the first thing we blame when we ’ re sick , and the reason we avoid indoor crowds . And it makes pharmaceutical companies millions each year as we try to avoid the next icky flu virus .
But is your immune system something that you can control , support , and bolster despite the presence of all things unholy ? ( Yes , I mean gastro viruses ).
The body is smart and knows what it likes and doesn ’ t like when it comes to pathogen invaders . Maybe there have been times when three out of four people in your household got sick but the fourth person somehow avoided it ( and then spent far too much time boasting about the win ).
YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM HAS THE ALL-IMPORTANT TASK OF PROTECTING YOUR BODY AGAINST HARM – BOTH EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL .
Whether it ’ s doing battle with a flu virus or something more serious such as cancer , your immune system is tasked to fight germs , invading pathogens , and cells that cause diseases . This is a hugely specific process your body handles whether you are awake or asleep . But can we actually help our bodies ?
More importantly , can we tell if our immune response is strong , weak , or gone ?
This is a key question and experts suggest that a healthy lifestyle is a major contributor to bolstering your immune system .
Your entire body is happier when you avoid smoking and drinking alcohol in excess , eat a balanced diet full of vitamin-rich foods , engage in exercise , get good quality sleep , and practice good overall body hygiene .
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