Whilst diet and lifestyle obviously have a much more significant role to play, recent research also shows just how important supplementation can be when it comes to optimal immune function. So, how can we ensure our immune system is functioning as it should? Well, we really have to focus on three pillars of health diet, lifestyle and supplementation.
How to live a healthy lifestyle that promotes optimal immunity Consider our innate immunity if that was always “boosted” then we’d feel perpetually sick! Any product or diet that states it has “immunity boosting” properties should be avoided as it’s either a scam and or the manufacturers have no idea how immunity works. If we were able to “boost” our immune system intermittently then that would actually cause more harm than good. Vaccinations present a weakened version of a pathogen allowing our body to develop and record an immunological response in a relatively safe way. The only evidence-based means of boosting our immune system is via vaccination. Our immunity cannot be “boosted” by a dietary approach and or supplement. Well, yes, but not in the way that is often promoted (which is quite misleading). This memory essentially serves as a plan of attack for the next time we encounter that pathogen we use the same process previously employed to defeat the invader allowing for a more effective, enhanced and immediate defensive response.
When we encounter a pathogen for the first time we develop and store immunological “memory”. Our acquired immune system operates with much more finesse. Whilst it would never be described as accurate, the innate immune system is highly effective and regularly handles issues related to harmful pathogens.
Lacking any form of finesse, the innate immune system will try flushing out the invading pathogen (with sweat and phlegm for example), burning it out (high and or feverish temperatures) and or going into full “shut down” mode (the extreme fatigue which can accompany illness meaning our body is prioritising the immunity related task at hand). The innate immune system would not be too dissimilar to a “throw everything at the wall and see what sticks” approach. The immune system itself can be roughly split into two camps our innate immune system and our acquired immune system.
It is not a singular “thing” but rather an ever-present network fighting off harmful bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that may cause disease. The immune system is a collection of organs, tissues and cells with a whole host of biological functions that work in unison to defend us from outside invaders (pathogens). We’re going to cover what exactly the immune system is and how it works, as well what you can do to ensure it’s working exactly how it should be and keeping you healthy! With that, there has been an unfortunate (but not unexpected) rise in misinformation regarding immunity and how we can “boost it”. Given everything that’s happened over the last year and a bit, our immune system has become, for a lot of us, a subject of focus.