Why is the Immune System Important?

What is the Immune System?

The immune system is a large network of organs, antibodies, white blood cells, and chemicals. These work together to protect the body from foreign invaders that cause illness, disease, and infections.

Why is the Immune System Important?

When your immune system is working properly, it can determine which cells are healthy and which substances are foreign to your body. It activates, mobilizes, attacks, and kills foreign invader germs that can cause you harm. The four benefits of the immune system include:

1. Promotes health. Adopting healthy living habits because it helps you prevent infectious diseases. Your immune system will create a barrier to stop the contagious invaders or antigens from entering your body and causing an illness.
2. Helps in healing wounds. People with stronger immune systems tend to recover quicker from an injury because their immunity stimulates the healing process. Those with poor immunity may take longer.
3. Reduce fatigue. One thing that can improve your immune system and make you stay active is physical exercise. As you work out, your body makes many movements, helping you stay active, feel stronger, and maintain a healthy weight. A poor immune system can make you feel weaker.
4. Prevents your body from infections. The immune system will produce white blood cells, proteins, and other chemicals to attack and destroy the disease-causing substances. So, they will get rid of the antigens before they reproduce in the body.

The Key Player of the Immune System 

One of the most important players in our immune systems is the white blood cell. It patrols the blood and tissues throughout the body in search of intruders. When they detect a foreign substance, they send out signals and launch an immune attack. These disease-fighting cells are made in the bone marrow and are stored in many different places in the body such as the tonsils and adenoids.

Things That Weaken the Immune System

• Lack of sleep. Not getting enough sleep can make you more likely to catch viruses or germs. This is due to your body can’t make as many infection-fighting cells and proteins called antibodies that help defend against illness. Sleeping helps the body produce certain proteins that help the immune system.
• Anxiety. Anxious though and constant stress can take a toll on your health as it weakens your body’s defenses. A weakened system makes it harder to recover from flu and other viruses that may attack your health.
• Low vitamin D. Vitamin D helps in boosting your body’s defenses and maintain strong bones and blood cells. Low vitamin D may take a toll on your immunity. 
• Medications. Prescriptions for arthritis, lupus, allergies, and immunosuppressants may weaken your immunity. Talk to your doctor if you are taking any of these medications to adjust your dosage. 

How to Boost Your Immune System?

• Eat healthy foods. Eating well provides multiple nutrients that support optimal immune function. Ensure to have plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains in your daily food intake. Eating well also means limiting saturated fats, cholesterol, salt, and added sugars.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight and obesity may affect your immunity and reduce the effectiveness of the vaccines for several diseases such as hepatitis and influenza. Safe ways to help maintain a healthy weight include eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and engaging in regular physical activity.
• Get enough sleep. Sleep can negatively affect different parts of the immune system. This can lead to the increase of a wide variety of disorders. 
• Quit smoking and stop alcohol. Too much intake of alcoholic beverages or smoking can weaken your immunity over time. Talk to your doctor about ways to quit smoking and manage alcohol addiction.
• Take vitamin C. Vitafizz Vitamin C is a recommended supplement that helps in maintaining your health by boosting your immune system. It repairs the tissues in the body and promotes growth.