What Works For Boosting Immune Systems

BOOSTING YOUR IMMUNE: SYSTEM FACT VS. FICTION vS. FICTION WITH COVID-19 CASES RISING WORLDWIDE, ATTENTION HAS TURNED TO HOW WE CAN STAY AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC The All-Important IMMUNE SYSTEM How Does Your Immune System Function? A network of cells and organs that band together to defend your body against antigens – anything with the ability to cause sickness – including THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IS OUR BODY'S BUILT-IN BACTERIA VIRUSES PARASITES FUNGI DEFENSE AGAINST DISEASE AND WHEN FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, THIS DEFENSE SYSTEM ILLNESS CAN HELP RECOGNIZE AND HELP KEEP ANTIGENS AT BAY THE NOVEL DANGERS OF COVID-19 COVID-19 is classified as a novel virus, meaning nobody has been exposed to it prior to the epidemic But the CDC has warned that while anyone could contract the virus, persons with lowered immune systems are most at risk of life-threatening complications Because we have not been exposed, nobody is immune, regardless of health What If You Are Exposed? White Blood Antigens Intruder Cells Antigen Destroyed A healthy system creates a barrier that Antigens are everywhere - in public places, our homes, and outdoors But if something gets through the barrier, our body produces white blood cells to attack the invaders The white blood stops antigens from entering our body cells try to destroy the antigen before it can reproduce HOWEVER, FOR MANY PEOPLE, THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM HAS BEEN DAMAGED OR IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY – MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO FIGHT OFF ILLNESS What It Means to be Immuno-Compromised Symptoms of a less-than-functioning immune system Recurrent infections Slow healing wounds Fever Over 23 million Americans suffer Chronic fatigue from autoimmune Digestive issues disorders Who Is Compromised? Anyone suffering from common diseases and taking several medicines are at risk, including Cancer Diabetes AIDS Organ or stem cell transplant Certain drugs including anticancer medication Radiation therapy WITH MUCH OF THE WORLD UNDER LOCKDOWN, IS THERE ANY ? WAY TO KEEP YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM HEALTHY FROM HOME? Fiction vs FACT Stay Up To Date On Vaccinations Immunizations help prevent disease rather than to treat it once you have it Vaccines work by introducing tiny amounts of antigens to your immune system so it can learn to fight the invading cells There Is No Vaccine Currently Available For, Covid-19, But It Is Still Important To Stay Up To Date On Other Immunizations ulululu Why? The CDC estimates the flu causes up to 800,000 hospitalizations per year The flu shot and other vaccines do not protect against Covid-19 - but they do help prevent an added burden on already overwhelmed hospitals Exercise Can Be Good Low to moderate exercise can help lower cortisol, the stress hormone Try 30-60 minutes of daily exercise a day – but stay in your home or outdoors, avoiding gyms or public spaces ! But Don't verdo It "Exercise helps boost the immune system, but we have to be careful not to overexercise because it can weaken your immune system" - Elizabeth Bradley, Medical Director of the Cleveland Clinic's Center for Functional Medicine In fact, a 2020 study found high-performance athletes were at an increased risk of infection Diet Is Important Consult your doctor before use - It is Nutrient-rich foods such as leafy green vegetables, nuts, and berries gre recommended possible to have too much good bacteria Try probiotics: "[They] help to support the good bacteria that live in your body, which help to fight bad bacteria or viruses" - Dr. Morgan Katz, Professor of Infectious Diseases at Johns Hopkins University But Not All Foods Are Equal Avoid foods with high amounts of sugar and trans fat Too much sugar can suppress the effectiveness of cells in your immune system Take Your Vitamins Important vitamins which support immune function include: vitamins A, C, D, E + Magnesium, Selenium, and Zinc Vitamin D is especially important if we remain indoors, and out of the sun, more than usual ! But Don't Rely On Vitamin C Alone Many people believe vitamin C in particular is a super immune There is no known method to improve immune systems if you're already compromised, but you can take precautions to help avoid exposure boost - but the science doesn't necessarily support this idea In fact, a 2016 survey found that daily vitamin C intake had no effect on cold incidence KNOW YOUR BODY. ARE YOU UP TO DATE ON YOUR HEALTH? Sources presented by cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/index.html cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html gene.com/stories/autoimmune-disease-101 onhealth.com/content/1/immune_system_boost livescience.com/coronavirus-vitamin-c-myth.html ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32139352?mod=Darticle_inline mv.helsinki.fi/home/hemila/CC/CochraneColds_2016.pdf ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Vitamin%20D-HealthProfessional healthspan.co.uk/advice/can-you-have-too-much-good-bacteria cnn.com/2020/04/04/health/sick-without-covid-wellness/index.html SupplementTiming.com DEVELOPED BY N NOWSOURCING webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/10-immune-system-busters-boosters#1 Fbuste webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/how-use-your-immune-system-stay-healthy crosscut.com/2020/03/coronavirus-and- who.int/vaccine_safety/initiative/detection/immunization_misconceptions/en/index2.html pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2020/march/weakened-immune-system hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-social-distancing-and-self-quarantine fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/counterterrorism-and-emerging-threats/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19 cnbc.com/2020/03/30/trump-says-us-officials-should-have-good-idea-if-malaria-drug-works-on-coronavirus-in-three-days.html wfsb.com/news/experts-explain-how-being-proactive-prevents-overwhelming-the-healthcare-system/article_5a5fb530-655a-11ea-ac94-1b548db6b3d2.html 3/coronavirus-and-immunocompromised-your-questions-answered Immune Barrier