Strong immunity. Strong immunity in old age is easy! How to have strong immunity from all diseases

The word “immunity” comes from the Latin “immunitas”, it means immunity to various diseases and infections. Fortunately, over many millennia the human body has learned to resist many bacteria, viruses, and infections. The forces that protect our body are called immunity.

Strong immunity is very important for a person. It protects it from many attacking viruses that surround us everywhere. Thus, microorganisms can enter the human body through the esophagus, through breathing, through any wounds or damage to the skin. People who have a weakened immune system often suffer from colds, since the respiratory tract is the most vulnerable organ. If you are one of those who suffer from colds more than 4-5 times a year, then you have a weak immune system. With such an immune system, you risk getting sick not only from colds, but also from more serious diseases. In this case, you need to think not only about how to cure the disease, but also how to strengthen the immune system.

Good immunity is important for both children and adults. The main task of every person should be to strengthen the immune system, since with good immunity no diseases will be terrible. Good immunity and a healthy lifestyle are almost synonymous. So, strengthening the immune system requires some effort. But subsequently, your immunity will reward you not only with health, but also with beauty and longevity.

The main components of a strong immune system are cleansing the body, proper nutrition, and an active lifestyle.

It comes first because in a “clean” body there is no freedom and food for pathogens. To cleanse the body of toxins and waste, you need, first of all,... Most problems begin precisely because of a polluted intestine and the predominance of pathogenic flora in it.

After cleansing procedures, it is important to ensure that no harmful substances enter the body, for example, pesticides, heavy metal salts, poisons, nitrites, carcinogens, etc. That is why it is important to monitor your diet and the quality of food. This is especially true for children, since the child’s body is still growing, it requires more nutrients and special protection from harmful substances. So, fresh vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs, and nuts should prevail in the diet. It is important to ensure that clean fruits are placed on the table. If they are covered with wax, it is best to peel the skin completely. You must also ensure that fruits and vegetables do not have dark spots - they contain a large amount of harmful substances that can even cause poisoning.

Water helps cleanse the body. It is recommended to drink about 2 liters per day, this number is arbitrary, it depends on the age, body weight, and living conditions of the person. Of course, if a person is thirsty, then you should not limit yourself to two liters. But the water must be clean, maybe mineral, for example. Neither coffee, nor tea, nor juices count; you only need to quench your thirst with fresh and clean water.

In addition to eating and drinking properly, it is important to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. It is useful for children to play outdoor games; adults can go to the fitness center. In addition, it is useful to engage in seasonal sports, for example, in winter during the New Year holidays it will be useful to ski, sled, snowboard, skate, play snowballs, build a snowman, etc.

Strong immunity and cigarettes simply cannot exist together. Cigarettes and alcohol pollute the body, slow down metabolic processes, destroy cells and destroy good microflora. That is why, if you want to have a good strong immune system, then you need to quit smoking, limit your alcohol consumption and reconsider your eating habits.

Immunity in old age

From this article you will learn:

What are the characteristics of immunity in old age?

What diseases can worsen due to weakened immunity?

What are the best ways to strengthen the immune system - folk remedies or medications?

Can physical activity and proper nutrition improve immunity in old age?

What features does immunity have in old age?

The main organ of the human immune system, responsible for the formation and maintenance of immunity, is the thymus gland. It is located in the upper part of the chest cavity above the heart. Because of its characteristic shape, reminiscent of a three-pronged fork, it got its name. She has another name - thymus, which translated from Greek means “life force”.

Until about the age of eighteen, this gland constantly grows. Then its growth stops and it begins to decrease in size. Its “reverse growth” begins. By about 70 years of age, the body's defenses range from two to five percent of those of a young, growing person.

In this miracle iron, lymphocytes are born and develop, providing reliable protection for the body from viruses, infections and autoimmune diseases. They also regulate the functioning of the body's entire immune system.

When a person reaches a certain age (for some people earlier, and for others later), changes in the thymus gland stop completely. New cells are not formed, and existing ones are not renewed. The body's protective functions weaken.

A decrease in the activity of this vital gland can be judged by the following external signs:

Withering of the skin, decrease in its elasticity and formation of wrinkles;

Brittle nails and hair;

The appearance of a number of diseases of internal organs in a chronic form;

Decreased tone and performance.

All these signs are due to a weakening of the protective functions of the immune system.

Immunity in old age is significantly different from that of a young person. Elderly people include men and women who are sixty years of age or older.

Due to weakened immunity in old age, the human body becomes defenseless against infections, viruses and pathogens. The most “innocent” viral disease can immediately become chronic. And you will have to be treated for it for the rest of your life. It is very important to constantly improve immunity in old age and not allow it to decline. Keep it at a high enough level so that it can easily “deal” with any harmful factors that cause various diseases.

Due to the increase in gamma globulin levels, antibodies are produced. As a result, the body of an elderly person begins to fight against its own cells.

This struggle affects the entire body of an elderly person, and its consequences can be very serious. The most common of them:

Hashimoto's autoimmune thyroiditis is one of the most common thyroid diseases;

Psoriasis is a chronic disease that mainly affects human skin;

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of the joints;

Sarcoidosis - multiple organs may be affected;

Sjögren's syndrome, or dry syndrome;

Systemic lupus erythematosus;

Scleroderma;

Mixed connective tissue diseases;

Myasthenia gravis.

This is not a complete list of all possible diseases.

How to boost immunity in old age

A person’s immunity, given to him at birth and increased as a result of past diseases and vaccinations, weakens in old age and needs to be strengthened and supported. The weakening of the body's defenses in older people is manifested by frequent and prolonged colds and infectious diseases.

If the immune system in old age is not strengthened, the body’s immune system malfunctions. As a result, autoimmune diseases appear and develop.

Is it possible to boost immunity in old age? And how can this be done? What ways are there to strengthen and enhance it?

Physical activity

Various exercises stimulate metabolic processes in the muscles, help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and enhance the removal of toxins from the body. The most ordinary morning exercises or walking for 30-40 minutes in the fresh air saturates the blood with oxygen, calms and relieves nervous tension. Physical activity in old age strengthens the immune system.

Swimming And skating and skiing - These sports perfectly develop muscles and contribute to the development of correct posture. In addition, they give a strong boost of energy and good mood, strengthen the immune system at any age. Swimming can be done all year round. In summer in natural reservoirs, and in winter in swimming pools.

Hammam- this is a Turkish bath, the temperature in which does not exceed 45 ° C. High (almost 100%) humidity helps to easily tolerate high air temperatures. This characteristic feature of the Turkish bath allows it to be visited even by those elderly people who do not tolerate the heat and high humidity in the steam rooms of other types of baths. In the hammam, the load on the cardiovascular system is less than in other baths, due to the combination of relatively low temperature and high air humidity. Such temperature conditions are excellent for relaxing muscles, removing waste and toxins from the body and strengthening the immune system.

Walking barefoot on a massage mat 3-5 minutes every day perfectly improves immunity in old age. Walking on such a mat increases blood circulation, causes pleasant feelings and improves the tone of the body. This occurs due to the mechanical effect on the reflex points of the foot. The sensation is reminiscent of walking barefoot on pebbles, sand or mown grass. A massage mat can be purchased at a specialty store or pharmacy.

A good night's sleep is an excellent “tool” for strengthening the immune system in old age. In the dark, the human body synthesizes the so-called sleep hormone - melatonin. Its importance is very difficult to overestimate. It is involved in many physiological processes, regulates the activity of the endocrine, digestive and immune systems. Normalizes blood pressure, improves immunity, slows down the aging process. Its antioxidant effect is also known. In order for melatonin to be produced in sufficient quantities, you need to go to bed before midnight, turn off all the lights in the bedroom and tightly curtain the windows so that the bedroom is dark.

Proper nutrition

The famous ancient Greek physician Hippocrates said: “Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what ails you.” Proper balanced nutrition helps strengthen the immune system in old age. The digestive system in older people has characteristic features. Digestion and absorption of food and intestinal function deteriorate with age. Physical activity, and therefore energy consumption, is significantly reduced. The diet of older people should consist of foods containing all the necessary substances in sufficient quantities.

In old age, to strengthen and strengthen the immune system, you need to use natural biostimulants:

Spoiled milk;

Fish fat;

Fresh cabbage of all types;

Dog-rose fruit;

Black currants, raspberries and sea buckthorn.

Biostimulants are completely absorbed by the body, supply it with all vitamins and minerals, and improve the functioning of the digestive system. Necessary for strengthening the immune system are products containing protein. It can be of plant or animal origin.

Buckwheat, beans, soybeans and nuts (contain vegetable protein).

In dairy products (necessary for older people and as a source of calcium). In old age, low-fat dairy products should be consumed.

Vegetables and fruits contain fiber. Red and orange fruits (bell peppers, oranges, carrots and tomatoes) are rich in provitamin A (carotene).

To increase immunity in old age, it is necessary that the diet be varied and complete in composition. It should consist of products containing proteins, fats and carbohydrates, microelements and vitamins.

Stimulates the body's immune system minerals- selenium, magnesium and zinc contained in:

Beef liver, heart and kidneys;

Lean varieties of beef;

Fish (especially a lot of salmon, mackerel and herring);

Beans, peas and buckwheat;

In whole grain cereals: buckwheat, pearl barley, brown rice;

You should strictly follow your diet and eat at the same time. This “disciplines” the work of the digestive system, improves the digestion and absorption of food. Overeating should be avoided. You need to eat often, but little by little, in small portions. Proper and nutritious nutrition will help maintain health and increase immunity in old age.

How to boost immunity in old age with medications

Immunity is immunity to infections and the introduction of foreign bodies into the body. This protection is provided by immunocompetent cells, the so-called phagocytes and mast cells. In older people, their activity decreases and their immunity weakens. To activate and “awaken” immune cells, immunostimulants are needed. They can be different in composition:

Herbal immunostimulants

These include echinacea preparations. They are approved for use. Available in pharmacies without a prescription. Available in various dosage forms. The drugs sold are imported and domestically produced (they do not differ in the strength of their effect on the body, the only difference is the price).

Evidence-based medicine does not support the effectiveness of Echinacea. It is harmless and acts at the placebo level.

Herbal immunostimulants of the adaptogen group

Adaptogens of plant origin will help boost immunity in old age:

Zamanikha;

Schisandra chinensis;

Rhodiola rosea;

Eleutherococcus.

Schisandra chinensis is a well-known tonic. Available in tincture form. Used for heavy physical exertion, nervous exhaustion and loss of strength. Widely known and used in many countries around the world.

Rhodiola rosea and zamanika increase the body's resistance to harmful environmental factors and regulate the functioning of the nervous system.

Eleutherococcus perfectly tones, improves mood and performance. Stimulates brain function. It has been confirmed that Eleutherococcus does not cause disturbances in heart rhythm or blood pressure. Regulates the functioning of the immune system, increases its protective functions.

These drugs affect everyone differently. Therefore, you should consult your doctor before taking them.

Vitamins

Vitamins are vital substances for the human body that it cannot synthesize itself, but receives from food. They improve metabolic processes and help improve immunity. In old age, the need for vitamins A, E, C and B, as well as magnesium, zinc and selenium, increases.

How to increase immunity in old age using folk remedies

People have been using various medicinal herbs and foods to treat diseases since ancient times.

Homemade decoctions and infusions bring the greatest benefit. Compared to pharmaceutical drugs, they have a significant advantage - they are prepared without various harmful additives, flavors and dyes. All you need is high-quality raw materials and the ability to prepare them. To achieve the best therapeutic effect, you should prepare decoctions according to the method of Professor of the Tomsk Medical Institute D. D. Yablokov. The honored doctor and scientist devoted seventy years of his life to serving people and medicine.

A decoction of walnut leaves and fruits according to the method of D. D. Yablokov is prepared as follows:

Grind the branches with leaves and walnut fruits, mix. Place the mixture in a spoutless porcelain bowl with a tight-fitting lid.

Pour 200 ml of water and heat for 25-30 minutes in a water bath.

Wrap in a blanket or warm terry towel and leave for 45 minutes.

Cool and then strain the infusion. Take ¼ cup three times a day.

Strengthen immunity in old age compositions of useful products:

Onion-honey immunostimulant. Grind 2 onions in a blender, adding a pinch of granulated sugar. Place in a ceramic bowl with a tight-fitting lid. Add half a liter of water and heat in a water bath for 1.5 hours. Cool and add 2 tablespoons of honey. Take the mixture 3 times a day, ¼ cup.

Remedy with chokeberry. Grind 1 kg of chokeberry fruits in a blender. Add 1.5 kg of sugar and stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until the sugar is completely dissolved. Take one tablespoon twice a day. The course of treatment is 30 days.

Healthy mixture. Pass through a meat grinder or grind walnuts, dried apricots, prunes, lemon and raisins in a blender. Take one tablespoon once a day. Store the mixture in the refrigerator.

Take folk remedies in courses lasting from 3 to 4 weeks. It is useful to alternate decoctions and infusions with mixtures.

The main way to strengthen the immunity of an elderly person is, of course, a healthy lifestyle. It is this that helps maintain the body’s defenses in old age. Includes regular balanced meals, physical activity and a good night's sleep. Becomes a guarantor of high performance, good health and excellent mood. And herbal preparations and folk remedies complement and “strengthen the effect” in the process of strengthening the immune system.

Since the first autumn runny nose, the word “immunity” has been firmly in the top search engine queries. By December, the “immune rush” reaches its peak. In fact, the immune system (a personal bodyguard “built-in” by Nature itself to protect the body from the adverse effects of the environment) is required to work seven days a week and seven days a week, regardless of the season. And if you systematically maintain his “qualifications” at the proper level, then demanding the performance of direct official duties will be easy and simple.

The main task of immunity is to make a person immune to foreign biological objects.

Well, if the owner allows his security to work according to the principle “the soldier is sleeping - the service is in progress,” then pathogenic microorganisms, without receiving the proper rebuff, begin to rule the body as if they were at home. Foreign to the body are microorganisms, toxic compounds of plant or animal origin, dead or degenerated cells of the body itself. “Foreign” can penetrate from the outside (bacteria, protozoa, fungi, viruses, etc.) or form in the body itself (tumor, degenerated, dead cells). Each human cell has a mark that identifies it as its owner. Anything that does not have such markings (external agents or own altered cells) must be destroyed. The main task of the immune system is to maintain a constant internal environment of the body.

School for immunity

No one, even the most talented bodyguard, is born like that. And be sure to take a training course. For immunity, such a “school” is the time of first contacts with hostile environmental agents - from the birth of a child to 8-10 years. The formation of immunity is always individual, since approximately 50% of the rate and power of creating a protective mechanism depends on hereditary factors, but otherwise, issues of rational nutrition, harmonious physical and psychological development, reaction to preventive vaccinations, and hygiene skills are of great importance. The point that stands apart is the common sense of parents in the prevention and treatment of inevitable childhood diseases.

What is it about? Yes, that complete isolation of a child from society in early childhood is fraught with not the most favorable consequences in the future. Many hundreds of years ago, Chinese doctors wrote: “If you want your child to grow up healthy, let him be snotty all the time in childhood.” And if a child grows up with his grandmother before school, walks alone, because “there is one infection on the playground and in kindergarten,” then the active process of developing immunity will occur in primary and secondary school.

And also about the fact that any child’s sneeze should not be treated uncontrollably (“what do they know, these doctors”) with potent drugs. Antibiotics are especially fashionable today, which “finish off” the rudiments of immunity, destroying both pathogenic and beneficial microorganisms along the way.

If normal conditions are created for the development and functioning of the immune system, then immunity will automatically be maintained at the proper level. The main principle of stimulating the body's defenses in a child is to ensure normal conditions for the development and functioning of the immune system (the concept of a healthy lifestyle).

What can be done if the child’s immunity works “with a clear deficiency”?

A mother may suspect an immune disorder in her child if:

The child gets sick often (ARVI more than 8 times a year).
Common ones in a child are severe, with many complications (otitis media, tonsillitis).
The child responds poorly to treatment, and the illness lasts longer than usual.

If all of the above points are present in the daily life of your family, you need to contact specialists. Because the immune system is a complex, multicomponent, self-regulating, self-learning complex. It has its own intelligence officers, soldiers, interceptors, its own headquarters, radars, immediate reaction forces, tactical and strategic weapons. But, most importantly, the immune system creates all these types of armed forces specifically against each enemy. And as a result, it turns out that immunity is a combination of many thousands of individual immunities. And there is simply no “universal pill” to make it work.

And if you have a growing suspicion that your baby’s personal bodyguard is working half-heartedly, a qualified, professional assessment of the immune status must be carried out. And, in accordance with the identified “gaps,” the selection of an immunocorrection method.

How is immune status assessed?

First of all, consult an immunologist. If your child is often sick, your pediatrician will refer you to a specialized clinic for consultation. Especially if you show your awareness and urgently ask him about it. The immunologist will talk with you, study the child’s medical record to assess the frequency of infectious diseases, the nature of their course, temperature reaction, and ask what vaccinations were given, what medications you used to treat the child’s diseases. Look at the test results. He will be interested in the content of granulocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes, the presence/absence of bacteria and viruses. Then, depending on the results of the first appointment, he will send you for a blood test from a vein (immunogram), which will allow you to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the functional activity of immune-competent cells.

And based on the data obtained, the doctor will prescribe (if necessary) drugs that can regulate immunity (immunomodulators).

Why shouldn’t you engage in “self-correction” of the immune system?

Yeah, you say, of course. It is worth spending time on a trip to the clinic, money on tests, when only the iron does not talk about miraculous “safe” immunostimulants. Drugs that “improve immunity” are widely available in retail pharmacies and are usually available without a prescription. And in practical healthcare (read, in the district clinic), products that “improve immunity” are universally recommended.

You can be convinced that these products are not harmless if you carefully read the paragraphs “Side effects”, “Special instructions” and “Precautions” in the instructions for their use. And this is only one side of the coin. The second is that not all positions of the immune status always need to be INCREASED. Maybe it is your child who, on the contrary, needs to lower some of them for the normal functioning of the body’s defenses, that is, to adjust the balance. And it is almost impossible to do this “blindly”.

Especially if “to be sure” you use several means at once. “Yes, we are now taking it with the whole family so as not to get sick, and then there is a list of 4-5 items belonging to different classes, immunomodulators/stimulants/correctors. Moreover, more than half of the list consists of dietary supplements that are not immunotropic (acting on the cells of the immune system) agents at all. Whether immunity will increase, and whether it was necessary to “raise” it in representatives of a particular family, the question remains open, but allergic reactions (this is also the body’s immune response) such a mixture can give a wide variety.

What can I do to make my child less sick?

Don't be tempted by infections. That is, during periods of epidemics, try to take your child to public events in closed spaces as little as possible. If he goes to kindergarten, and you have the opportunity to “keep him at home” at this moment, do not deny yourself this pleasure.

Breathe. The immune system is extremely sensitive to normal oxygen levels. Therefore, walk with your child in the fresh air, do not be afraid to freeze, remember that there is no bad weather, only bad clothes. Ventilate your apartment. Remember, draft is the enemy of infections!

Breathe in. A few drops of tea tree or eucalyptus essential oil will make the air in your home truly healing.
Do not deny Hypnos, Nikta and Morpheus, i.e., a full night’s sleep, make sure that the child gets quality sleep.

Dress smartly. Most colds are associated with improper clothing. Don't bundle up your children. After running a little and sweating in his fur coat/synthetic overalls/wadding pants/fur hat, the child becomes a “weak link” and quickly becomes hypothermic.

Eat delicious and healthy food. Nuts are especially useful. fermented milk products, especially “live” ones, enriched with bifidobacteria, seafood, bee honey, vegetables and fruits rich in C and A.

Drink! Water, herbal and fruit teas: apple, orange, cranberry, strawberry, chamomile, etc.

Take care of vitamins. Vitamin D is especially important for children. (Consult your doctor about doses and regimen).
Don't be afraid of a contrast shower. A wonderful workout for the immune system is alternating high and low temperatures. An excellent hardening effect in baths and saunas. If it is not possible to go to a bathhouse or sauna, an ordinary contrast shower will do.

Rinse your nasopharynx, coming home (especially if you were traveling on public transport or were present in crowded places). After all, it is in it that the vast majority of pathogenic agents accumulate. A decoction of chamomile with a pinch of salt, warm mineral water, and a solution of sea salt are suitable. Preventive inhalations are also useful for the nasopharynx during the “sick season.” For example, with freshly cut lemon peel, a clove of garlic, etc.

Be cheerful and calm yourself and do not frighten the child that he might get sick. Do not give in to public panic about “epidemics”, “pandemics”, etc. Remember that chronic illness weakens the body and makes it vulnerable to disease!

These simple rules (rather, a style of healthy, active, intelligent life) will allow you to survive all flu and cold seasons without much loss. And if you suspect your child has serious problems with the immune system, you simply need to entrust their solution to doctors. This is not difficult, especially if you live in a big city. In Moscow, for example, there are dozens of research institutes, clinics, and centers dealing with immunity issues. And regional cities do not lag behind the capital.

After all, his future often depends on what kind of school the personal bodyguard of the Most Important Person in the world for you - your child - goes through in childhood. Will he grow up healthy, free, or will he be forced to “work for pills all his life”...

Immunity is an important component of human health. A strong immune system is the key to disease resistance. Unfortunately, recently, due to many negative factors, people with weak immunity are becoming increasingly common. They are the ones most susceptible to colds and other respiratory diseases. If you are one of these types of people, then don't be upset. In this article you can find out in more detail information about what immunity is and how to strengthen it.

Immunity. Meaning of the term

To know how to strengthen your own immunity, you need to consider in detail the definition of this term. Immunity is the body’s ability to fight various viruses and bacteria that negatively affect human health. To put it simply, the immune system works as a guard to protect our body.

The immune system is a collection of organs and cells that are designed to protect our body from foreign invasion. Several central and peripheral organs responsible for immunity can be distinguished: spleen, lymph nodes, red bone marrow.

Innate immunity has the ability to fight any pathogens, even if contact with them occurs for the first time, although they are recognized less accurately than acquired immunity.
Acquired immunity is the result of fighting diseases that a person cannot get again (for example, chickenpox or measles).
Active immunity is both an innate and acquired protective force of the body.
Passive immunity is formed under the influence of vaccinations and folk remedies.

Why is it necessary to strengthen your immune system?

The immune system, being the result of the development of the human species, is constantly changing and adapting, actively counteracting the negative factors of a certain living environment. Strengthening the immune system takes into account ongoing metabolic processes, hereditary factors and the general condition of the body.

It is necessary to strengthen the immune system so that it does not allow a person to get sick in case of contact with an infection or significantly weakens the form of the disease. If the immune system is strong, it will be able to overcome not only cold viruses. Strengthening the immune system helps neutralize allergy triggers and also helps destroy microbes that cause food poisoning.

Immunity support is most needed in the autumn, when the weather changes. It is during this period that the body needs a complex of vitamins and minerals, which strengthens the human immune system. In addition, in the fall there is a massive spread of respiratory diseases, which once again indicates the need for prevention.

It is worth adding that if a person goes overboard, using various means to strengthen his immunity, then this can be to his detriment, not to his benefit, because the abuse of health prevention can lead to allergies.

Why does immunity decrease?

There are three main factors due to which the human body weakens:

Wrong lifestyle. Frequent lack of sleep, stress, bad habits, unhealthy diet, lack of healthy foods in the diet are the main enemies of the immune system.
Unfavorable environment and poor ecology. The human environment also plays a big role in weakening. Poor ecology pollutes the body, and places where there are a large number of infected people attack the immune system.
Frequent illnesses. Due to regular illnesses, the immune system works hard, trying to destroy all viruses and bacteria that have entered the body. This leads to depletion of the immune system, as it cannot fully recover.

Signs of problems with the immune system

As a rule, many people think too late about strengthening their immunity. They often develop this desire when the following signs of a weakened immune system appear:

Bad feeling. Chills, insomnia, severe fatigue, headaches, aches in muscles and joints, mood swings and poor appetite may indicate a weakened body.
Skin problems. What can happen to the skin when immunity decreases?

the appearance of a white skin tone instead of a healthy pink;
the formation of herpes, boils and other types of rash;
heavy sweating and change in the smell of sweat;
sudden appearance of swelling and bags under the eyes (which may also indicate problems with the kidneys, liver or heart).

Problems with hair and nails. The most obvious signs:

hair begins to fade and fall out;
nails break, become thinner, peel, become dull, white marks form on them, growth slows down;
the tips of the fingers turn pale, which indicates anemia.

Dry nose. This point will seem strange to many, since most people associate snot with illness, and dryness with the normal state of the body. In fact, mucus is a protection against diseases, and it can be very helpful when a person catches a cold. It is snot that absorbs pathogenic bacteria, after which a person gets rid of them by blowing his nose. To strengthen the immune system, you need to monitor how the nasopharynx produces mucus.

Strengthening the immune system

“What should you eat to strengthen your immune system?” people often ask when they get sick with some kind of cold.

The question about immunity is so popular that even in the television program “One Hundred to One” you can often hear it. The top 10 search engines still include the query “100 to 1. The answer to the question: “How to strengthen the immune system?”.” It is obvious that people are interested in strengthening and protecting their bodies.

Many people, before reading the article, probably thought that strengthening the immune system was too difficult and even impossible. In fact, everything is very simple. Try to implement at least one item from the list above, and you yourself will be surprised at how much your life will change. It will be 100 times better than doing nothing at all.

How to make sure that all the information provided is of maximum benefit? Just share this information with those who are also interested in the questions “How to strengthen the immune system?” and “What should I do to keep my immune system in good condition?” In this way, you will spread knowledge about a healthy lifestyle and help many people strengthen their immunity.

The human immune system is one of the most important systems, thanks to it a person is protected from various types of viruses, infections, all kinds of diseases, and the negative influence of the environment.

Our immune system is designed in such a way that when the slightest threat to the body appears, it instantly reacts and tries to destroy it or remove it from the body. Therefore, it is important for everyone to take care of health and strengthen the immune system, especially in the off-season on the eve of spring - this is the time when the body especially needs support.

It is also important to pay attention to immunity for those who have suffered from acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections or influenza and who experience heavy physical exertion.

At birth, a person is given 60% of immunity, and 40% is acquired during life, after illnesses and vaccinations. With age, the immune system weakens.

Strong immunity is the key to good health, but if the immune system is weakened, then a person becomes defenseless against the viruses and bacteria that surround him in everyday life.

It is the state of the immune system that determines whether a person will get sick when exposed to any infection and how exactly the disease will progress.

Good immunity depends on external and internal factors.

To the number internal refers to an innate weakened immune system, which has inherited a predisposition to certain diseases: leukemia, renal failure, liver damage, cancer, anemia. Also HIV and AIDS.

To the number external circumstances include:

Ecological situation;
Leading an unhealthy lifestyle (stress, unbalanced diet, alcohol, drug use);
Lack of physical activity;
Lack of vitamins and nutrients.

The listed circumstances influence the formation of weakened immune defense, exposing a person’s health and performance to risks.

Signs of decreased immunity:

Chronic fatigue;
. weakness and fatigue;
. drowsiness or insomnia;
. headaches for no apparent reason;
. aches and pain in muscles and joints.

If you do not pay attention to these signs in time and do not boost your immunity, the next steps may be herpes on the lips, frequent colds and, what is much more dangerous, the development of chronic diseases and complications.

In addition, the body will not be able to fully fight viruses and infections.

Which doctors should I contact? for examination of immunity: immunologist, allergist.

Why does human immunity decrease?

Here are the most common ones:

Age: children and older people have weaker immunity than middle-aged people, which means more attention needs to be paid to their health.

Bad ecology: polluted air and water, insecticides, radionuclides, herbicides.

Poor nutrition: low-quality or spoiled food, products with large amounts of stabilizers, dyes, preservatives, leavening agents, sugar or sweeteners. In addition, fasting and an incorrectly selected diet can cause a decrease in immunity.

Overweight or underweight.

Season. Immunity in summer is much stronger than at any other time of the year - mainly due to the increase in the amount of fresh vegetables and fruits in the human diet. Therefore, in autumn, winter and spring, you need to pay special attention to health, especially during periods of epidemics.

Bad habits: smoking (both active and passive), drinking large amounts of alcohol, drugs.

Disturbed sleep schedule or lack of sleep, chronic lack of sleep.

Lack of vitamins, micro- and macroelements.

Stress and constant mental tension.

Mental and physical overload. At the same time, physical inactivity also negatively affects the functioning of the immune system.

Antibiotics and uncontrolled use of other medications.

Reducing the number of these factors in a person’s life is the first step to boosting a weakened immune system. But this is not enough.

Nutrition

You should start with nutrition. Reduce consumption or avoid fried, salty and smoked foods. Eat less sugar and sweetener. Add more foods containing minerals and vitamins to your diet, especially A, B, C, D, E, PP.

1. A - increases the strength of the body's immune response to invading antigen. Converted from beta-carotene, which is found in red and yellow plant foods (melon, tomatoes, pumpkin, carrots, red peppers).

2. B vitamins - stimulate the immune system during stress, after surgery or injury. Contained in seeds, nuts, legumes, mushrooms, cheese, buckwheat and wholemeal bread.

3. C - accelerates the production of immune cells. However, an overdose of this vitamin suppresses the immune system. Contained in large quantities in black currants, rose hips, citrus fruits, sea buckthorn, parsley, lemon and sauerkraut.

4. D - ensures a timely response of the immune system to a threat. To provide the body with this vitamin, it is enough to regularly be in the sun or eat fatty fish (salmon, herring) and eggs.

5. E - protects cells from damage. A lot in seeds, nuts and sprouted grains.

6. PP (nicotinic acid) - reduces the effects of stress, which has a beneficial effect on human immunity. The best food sources of this vitamin are beets, beef liver, beef kidneys, brewer's yeast and salmon.

Fresh air

Fresh air also helps improve immunity. The air in the city can hardly be called clean, so trips outside the city and walks in the park area will be of great benefit. In addition, it is important to control the humidity in the room. When the nasal lining dries out, it cannot provide protection against viruses and bacteria.

Sport

Physical activity. Daily exercise will help strengthen the body's protective functions and increase its endurance. If you can’t go to the gym or go for a run, you can limit yourself to morning exercises and replace some trips by car or public transport with walking.

Healthy sleep. An adult needs to sleep about 7-8 hours a day, and a child needs 9-10. It is important that you sleep at night.

Dairy products

It is better to accompany the intake of antibiotics with the consumption of fermented milk products - kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt and natural yogurt. They minimize the negative impact of drugs on the intestinal microflora due to the content of probiotics and prebiotics.

Drugs and medications

You can use drugs to boost immunity, but keep in mind that their uncontrolled consumption can lead to the development of allergic and autoimmune diseases. It is better not to buy them without a doctor's recommendation.

Hardening

Many scientists do not recommend forcing the body to get used to the cold. The whole point of hardening is to make immune cells move faster and more actively resist bacteria. To do this, it is enough to take a contrast shower once a day, and then rub your body with a rough towel. Naturally, you need to come into contact with ice water gradually. Starting with cool water, gradually lower the temperature day by day.

Stress management

Motherwort, valerian and peppermint are best suited for this, but it is important to understand that almost all medicines have contraindications and are not intended for long-term use. Sometimes you can just give yourself half an hour a day and spend it in complete silence, of course, if possible.

Rejection of bad habits

This is useful not only for strengthening the protective functions of the entire body, but also for improving the functioning of almost all organs.

The tips listed are suitable for people of all ages. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of information on how to effectively boost the immunity of an adult, child or elderly person.

Head of the therapeutic department of clinic No. 1 of KGB No. 3 - Sharonova I.N.