CRACKYL Magazine Issue No. 12 (Winter 2024) | Page 17

STRONG

If you find that you catch only some of your household or firehouse communal viruses , then chances are good that your immune system is robust .

WEAK OR GONE

If you spend most of your time sick with cold and flu viruses and there seems to be no reprieve in sight , it ’ s safe to say that your immune system really needs a vacation .

LUCKY

And if you never get sick and sit around eating potato chips , avoiding exercise , and bingewatching Wheel of Fortune – then we all hate you . ( Kidding . You ’ re just one of the fortunate ones .)

While you cannot technically boost immune cells , you can take heart from the fact that your body produces more immune cells than it will ever need .

IN FACT , EXPERTS SAY THAT IMMUNE CELLS ARE MADE IN SUCH EXCESS THAT THEY ARE THROWN INTO THE “ BODY ’ S TRASH AND DISPOSAL SYSTEM ” AS QUICKLY AS THEY ’ RE CREATED .

Here ’ s what we know : lifestyle , eating habits , aging , a lack of exercise , high stress , poor sleeping habits , poverty and malnourishment all contribute to illness . And this list isn ’ t comprehensive . If you have a chronic immunocompromising condition , that makes things even tougher .

We should always be on a journey to better our health and wellness . Some health practitioners believe in vitamin supplementation . Others will suggest that before you begin a new vitamin regime , you should look at the factors that are certain to contribute to a healthier and more robust immune system .

Do a self-assessment : How often are you sick ? ( Keeping track will help you get a proper handle on this .) How far apart are your sickness bouts , and for how long do you feel well ? Is your lifestyle healthy , but you still find yourself catching every flu virus ?

Family doctors and primary health care professionals are great resources if you ’ re seeing red flags with your immune health . Discuss your concerns and be open to conversations about lifestyle changes and the possibility of bloodwork .

We can complain about our problems until the cows come home , but attempting to make positive changes to improve your immune system will not only save you downtime but also Tylenol , Advil , and Kleenex . And a whole lot of worry .