Signs You Have a Strong Immune System and How to Keep It That Way

Village Green Nutrition Team on
Woman taking deep, healthy breath in the sunshine.

A balanced immune system is what keeps people healthy, working against anything harmful in the body, from splinters to cancer cells. Infections and diseases are more likely to begin when there isn’t a strong enough response from the immune system in times of need.

Catching a cold every year doesn’t necessarily mean you have a weak immune system. Never catching one may not equate to a strong one, either. People come in contact with germs and viruses every day, so getting the occasional cold is common. It’s how your immune system defends against it that matters.

The immune system works throughout the entire body. The bloodstream carries germ-fighting white blood cells as they seek out problems. The thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, GI tract and mucosal tissue are big players in the immune system. Skin cells create antimicrobial proteins to fight germs as one first level of defense. The stem cells in the bone marrow are precursors to those that fight infection and disease. Each component of the immune system must have proper nutrients and care to perform at its best.

Keeping your immune system in tiptop condition is important. Let’s go over the signs of a healthy immune system and what you can do to make it stronger.

Some Signs of a Strong Immune System

A healthy immune system can identify harmful germs and work to eliminate them every time you get a bug. There are some indicators that may help let you know that your immune system is working well. Let’s take a look at some signs of a healthy immune system.

Good Gut Health

The gut digests food, but it’s also responsible for the immune system response. It holds many beneficial bacteria, and if you’re having tummy troubles, it’s a good sign something is wrong. How well your digestive system works is a good indicator of the health of your immune system.

Restful Sleep

Chances are your immune system is working well if you can get a full night’s rest and wake up feeling good. Breathing, muscle activity, and other body processes slow down when you sleep. This slower processing gives the immune system space to do its thing, enabling it to attack and eliminate pathogens and antigens in your body as you sleep.

Quick Recovery

Quickly recovering from colds, the flu, cold sores, wounds, and other common health problems is a good sign that your immune functions are on target. A robust immune system can effectively eradicate most common illnesses.

Keeping your immune system healthy can be tricky, since many life factors influence how well you can fight off illness and infection. Taking care of yourself is a critical factor in a strong immune system.

Natural Supplements That Boost Immunity

Supplements can help provide the necessary nutrients for a healthy immune system that may be lacking in your diet. Immune boosting supplements are available in many forms, such as capsules, liquids and chewables, to best fit your daily routine. Here are some examples of our favorite immune supportive nutrients and herbs.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It also helps the liver and the digestive and cardiovascular systems.

Zinc

Zinc affects the immune system in several ways. It helps in cell development, but more important to immunity, it helps keep support germ-killing T-cells.

Elderberry

Elderberry’s high concentration of antioxidants and vitamins help halt viruses, such as the flu, from multiplying inside the body.

Oregano Oil

Studies show oregano oil staves off bacterial infections. The active compound in oregano, carvacrol, kills harmful bacteria and fights off germs found on surfaces that cause common colds and minor illnesses.

Supplements can add a helpful boost to the immune system, and they also can also help support other aspects of your health.

Tips to Keep Your Immune System Strong

It isn’t surprising that a healthy body leads to a healthy immune system. How you eat and your daily activities greatly affect how well you can fight off invading germs. Here are a few tips to keep your germ-fighting abilities at their best.

Eat Healthily

Your immune system reaps the rewards of a healthy diet. A good rule of thumb is to eat fresh foods of every color. Your germ-fighting cells thrive on vitamins A and C, which are plentiful in fresh fruits and vegetables. Caffeine, alcohol and sugars are pro-inflammatory foods and work against your immune system. Nutritional counseling is an excellent place to start if you’re unsure about healthy food choices.

Get Regular Exercise

Regular exercise is important for all body functions, including immunity. It causes blood, and the germ-killing white blood cells in it, to circulate faster. It also improves cardiovascular function, lowers blood pressure, and keeps bones strong.

Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking 8 to 10 cups of water per day can make it easier to stay healthy. Proper hydration keeps blood circulating at its best. It also helps enable the lymph nodes to drain correctly, and these two things together help infection-fighting cells get where they need to be.

Sleep Well

Too many nights of poor quality sleep impact how well your body can take care of itself. Your body repairs and replenishes itself while you sleep. It’s easier to get sick without this essential downtime.

Eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise, and adding supplements to your daily routine are just a few steps you can take to boost your immunity. Even minor changes to your lifestyle can have a significant impact on your immunity, and thus your overall health.

More Advice on Supplements

Village Green Apothecary is an integrative pharmacy with a wide selection of top quality supplements. We provide personalized wellness plans to help optimize your health. Our team of pharmacists, nutritionists, naturopathic doctors and clinical herbalists can help customers find the best solutions to support their health. Drop us a line to find out how supplements can help give your immune system a boost.

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