The immune system is a special network of cells, tissues, proteins, and organs that work together to fight off disease and foreign invaders.  The immune system is adaptive, it learns through experience to spot enemies and fight them off before they can do damage.

Can the immune system be boosted?  While many products claim to boost the immune system, this does not really make scientific sense.  Once activated, the immune system uses a series of specialized cells and chemical reactions to keep you healthy.  The goal then is actually to optimize your immune system.

Lifestyle and immune system

The most common strategies for optimizing immune system through lifestyle include:

• exercise regularly, moderate exercise is anti-inflammatory
• maintain a healthy weight
• minimize drinking
• quit smoking – chronic smoking lowers your immune system
• reduce stress – chronic stress produces hormones like cortisol which can weaken the immune system and promote infection
• lack of sleep promotes chronic stress which can result in weight gain, can release stress hormones, and can weaken the immune system

Diet and the immune system

• vitamins A, C, and D and minerals including zinc play an import role the immune system
• if you’re lacking a healthy diet, consider supplementing with these vitamins and minerals

Soluble fiber helps the immune system by an having an anti-inflammatory effect.  Chronic inflammation decreases the effectiveness of the immune system.

Pterosteilbene and resveratrol found in blueberries and red grapes also boost the immune system.

Probiotics help the natural gut flora and give a boost to the “good bacteria” making it difficult for the “bad bacteria” to take hold.  Often, if you are on antibiotics, is recommended you take probiotics for this very reason.

Curcumin is that yellow powder found in curry and it comes from the plant turmeric.  Curcumin may help the immune system clear up damaging proteins that puts you at risk for Alzheimer’s.

High-fat and high calorie diets are pro-inflammatory and cause the body to react as if it were being infected.  Studies have shown that eating unhealthy foods high in fat and high in calories can weaken the body’s immune system and thereby promote infection.  Switching off a high-calorie and high-fat diet optimizes the immune system.