7 Tips for boosting your immune system

Posted on February 27, 2014 by john in Health care

Winter is the time to make sure your immune system is functioning at an optimal level. A little known fact : the immune system is actually an extension of the brain, and is intrinsically linked to our minds and the endocrine system. New research shows that the immune system also contributes to the brain’s ability to maintain cognitive capacity and regeneration of cells throughout life.

Connecting brains and beauty

When we are in an embryonic state, the layer of cells that eventually develop in the skin is also responsible for brain cells. This brain and skin means that is therapeutic to the brain is also therapeutic skin and the immune system (such as the immune system is an extension of the brain ). And do not stop there. Each of the foods and nutrients very specific that I recommend for the skin also strengthen the immune system, protect the cardiovascular system, strengthen muscles, strengthen bones, reduce body fat, improve performance, enhance libido and regain the joy of live, that feeling of well-being, happiness and optimism as necessary to live life to the fullest.

Conversely, what is harmful to the skin is also bad for the brain and the immune system.

Immune system suppressants

1. The pro - inflammatory foods (sugar, starches)
Food can be pro -inflammatory or anti -inflammatory. Avoid pro- inflammatory foods, they promote wrinkles, a lot of diseases, accelerate aging and cause the body to store fat. These foods can also exacerbate acne, which is a systemic inflammatory disease.

Regarding the immune system to remember this key fact: the sugar decreases the activity of white blood cells, interfering with the body’s ability to fight infections. The same dysfunction of white blood cells may also worsen allergies. I am not exaggerating when I say that sugar can rob you of your youth, health and beauty.

Tip : Make liberal use of spices and herbs. cinnamon for example, is a powerful antimicrobial, which means it can fight infections in the body and help the immune system to prevent infectious diseases.

2. Overexposure to sun
Although we’ve all heard a million times, excessive sun exposure accelerates skin aging and cause skin cancer. But that’s not the only problem. Excessive sun exposure weakens the immune system.

We need to get some sun to absorb vitamin D and maintain strong, healthy bones, but moderation is the key.

Tip: Limit sun exposure during peak hours (11 am-2 pm ) and use protection (SPF ) with broad-spectrum filter and non-chemical.

3. Stress
Among the pro -inflammatory destructive forces and pro - aging doctor have watched, nothing compares to the negative effects of stress. Stress causes the release of the hormone cortisol. When large amounts of cortisol are present in our blood for extended periods of time is extremely toxic. Our neurons are extremely sensitive to the effects of cortisol. Excess cortisol can destroy the immune system, reduce the vital organs, decrease muscle mass and cause thinning of the skin, accelerating skin aging and wrinkles and make the blood vessels more prominent under the skin.

Tip: In my opinion, the benefits of yoga to combat stress are incomparable. A yoga session twenty minutes will leave you totally relaxed, revitalized and enjoy a strong sense of wellbeing.

4. Smoke
The snuff is very harmful to the skin and aging. When we inhale the smoke of snuff, more than a trillion free radicals are produced in the lungs, the result is the activation of white blood cells that cause an inflammatory response and predisposes us to heart disease. In addition, there is a tremendous inflammatory response in all organs of the body. The snuff also acts as a vasoconstrictor, meaning that cause constriction of the blood vessels. This reduces local blood flow to an area, and temporarily increases blood pressure. The snuff has many negative effects on the immune system, increasing our risk of infection, such as colds and flu, and a number of diseases that affect the lungs and respiratory tract cancers such as.

Tip: To help repair the damage of blood vessels constricted, take a supplement with alpha lipoic acid (ALA ). ALA is known for its ability to regulate the production of nitric oxide, which controls blood flow to the skin.

5.The excess alcohol
Alcohol metabolites are known as aldehyde molecules. Aldehydes are destructive in that they cause damage to the plasma membrane of the cell, as well as other parts of the interior of the cell. Alcohol making suppresses the immune system more susceptible to a variety of diseases.

Tip: To combat liver damage, mix turmeric 1/4 teaspoon with some water. Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, helps stop the changes caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

6. Lack of sleep
When we look at hormone parameters during sleep, we find that the dream combat the negative effects of cortisol and the “bad” neurotransmitters such as epinephrine and norepinephrine that can be elevated during periods of stress. Growth hormone is released during sleep and growth hormone is the youth hormone. The hormone melatonin is also released, which has a positive effect on the immune system and skin. It is during sleep that the energy reserves and regeneration of the body as our cells undergo a process of repair. Lack of sleep can lead to a decrease in the count of white blood cells, causing a significant change in the immune system, lack of sleep impairs immune function.

Tip: If you have trouble sleeping, try to exercise for at least 30 minutes during the day. People who exercise regularly enjoy more consistent sleep patterns.

7. Fat-free foods
We need good fats, like those found in salmon, sardines and other cold water fish, olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocado and acai ( a Brazilian berry whose fatty acid ratio resembles that of olive oil). These “good ” fats will help us absorb nutrients from vegetables and fruits, keep our cells flexible, radiant and wrinkle our skin, our brain and our strong optimistic mood. We also need dietary fat to burn body fat.

It has been shown that a lack of essential fatty acids and fat is appropriate to skin dull and wrinkled, the decreased brain function, and depressed mood.

Tip: Enjoy foods rich in omega -3, such as cold water fish and beef meat for a healthy immune response.