A healthy immune system is essential for fighting off disease. There isn’t a miracle cure or simple drug at your local pharmacy that can magically give you a perfect immune system, but certain lifestyle changes can make an impact over time. Here are some of them.

5 Tips for Immune System Health

1. Eat a Healthy Diet

Nutrients support your body’s cells, including those that make up the immune system. Eating a diet full of a variety of vegetables, fruits, grains, and proteins can help you get the vitamins and minerals needed to support a healthy immune system.

Vitamins C, B6, and E are most helpful for boosting immunity. Additionally, controlling portions can help you avoid obesity, which negatively impacts immune function, though researchers aren’t sure exactly why.

2. Exercise

Working out spurs the production of white blood cells, which are used to fight off disease. Additionally, many people breathe heavily while exercising, which can flush bacteria and viruses from the respiratory tract. This is especially relevant for fighting off respiratory illnesses, like the cold and flu.

3. Get More Sleep

Your body recovers and repairs cells while you sleep. It also produces a protein called cytokine, which the immune system uses to fight off infection. The less you sleep, the less your body produces and the less time it has to repair or replace damaged cells.

Experts recommend about eight hours per night for healthy adults. However, people shouldn’t try to get more than 11 hours per night since this can throw off the circadian rhythm, negatively impacting the immune system. 

4. Avoid Bad Habits

Smoking and drinking can slow the production of new cells, including white blood cells. This can make it harder to fight off disease. If you smoke or drink heavily, quit or cut back as much as possible to improve overall health.

5. Control Stress

When you’re stressed, your body creates a hormone called corticosteroid, which can hinder immune function. There’s no surefire way to get rid of stress, but you can try various strategies, like meditation, spending time outdoors, and focusing on enjoyable hobbies. 

If you’re looking for medication or immune-boosting support, Pack Pharmacy in Cincinnati can help. The pharmacy offers prescriptions, cold medicine, first aid supplies, specialty medication, and even prescription compounding. The team provides personalized service to every customer, so you get a small town feel whenever you visit. Go to the website for a full list of options, or call (513) 871-7770 to speak with a pharmacist.