Look After your immune System to Stay Fit and Healthy

Introduction.

Your body’s immune system is quite simply responsible for fighting off any viruses or bacterial infections that try to invade the cells of your body. These natural defenses we have are referred to as innate immunities, because they are non-specific and instinctively quick acting, being quite natural to us. We also have what is called an adaptive immune system, a sort of second line of defense, which will only mount specific attacks against particular microbes. How these immune systems work is, needless to say, quite a complex process; however, we can help our bodies to protect themselves from things like swine flu by keeping our immune system in peak condition.

What your immune system needs.

It is fair to say that if you eat a well balanced diet and exercise regularly, then your immune system will probably be as healthy as it can be. However, if a lot of us are truly honest with ourselves – we don’t always eat that well balanced diet nor exercise anywhere near as much as we should to maintain a healthy body. Study after study, has shown that certain mineral and vitamin deficiencies can suppress and harm the immune system. Returning to the point about exercise and keeping fit; a damaged or unhealthy immune system can also make you fell lethargic and fatigued – meaning you’re less likely to feel like exercising in the first place!

What can you do to help your immune system.

If you have a fit and healthy body, chances are you'll also have a fit and healthy immune system.

We’ve already had the official announcements that swine flu is now of pandemic proportions, so you owe it to yourself and others around you to do all you can to protect yourself over the coming months. Therefore, you are recommended to consider your vitamin and mineral intake carefully. So many vitamins are vital to a healthy immune system that quite frankly if you are deficient in vitamins you might as well simply take a multi-vitamin supplement. The situation with minerals is a little more specific, with Iron, Zinc, Magnesium and Selenium being particularly important. So, you might actually want to consider a combined supplement that is both a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. I don’t want to sound like your mom – but you also really should stop smoking, drink alcohol only in moderation and for goodness sake do some exercise!