3 Reasons Why You May Be Struggling to Fight Infections
If you've noticed that you seem to be getting sick more frequently and illnesses are tending to last longer than usual, these may be warning signs that your immune system isn’t working up to par. Here are a few common reasons why your immune system could be faltering.
- Poor Diet
Eating a lot of ultra-processed foods that lack vital nutritional content can put your health in jeopardy in several different ways. Poor dietary choices decrease immunity by overburdening your gut, which is the hub where most of your immune system’s cellular activity takes place. Limiting processed foods in your diet can promote good digestion, optimize your gut’s microbial balance, and support immunity.
If you are actively fighting an infection, keep your meals and snacks light. Sparing your digestive system from putting a ton of energy into breaking down processed foods lets your body direct that valuable energy to immune system functions.
Choose protein-rich foods that fuel cellular activity and repair. Steer clear of foods that commonly cause gastrointestinal upset and general inflammation. If you have a respiratory illness such as the flu, avoid dairy foods that stimulate mucus and phlegm production. The best foods for sinus infection symptoms contain omega-3s that reduce inflammation and citric acids that break up phlegm.
- Inadequate Sleep
Sleep is when the immune systems kick into high gear. Its fighter cells launch tenacious attacks against foreign organisms that are causing harm to the body’s cells. To eradicate viral and bacterial cells that they perceive as a threat, these tiny but mighty fighters grab hold of them and don’t let go.
Sleep strengthens these fearless fighters' ability to engage their enemies, so your immune system may have a better shot at fending off a bug and getting over a lingering bug while you’re in bed. If you aren’t sleeping enough, you’ll effectively deprive your fighter cells of the opportunity to do their best work.
Make it a point to get at least eight hours of sleep every night. Sufficient rest is particularly consequential when you feel under the weather, but keep in mind that getting enough sleep every night consistently can have a huge impact on your overall wellness. Keeping all of your vital system’s functions in top form with essential rest makes your body more resilient against the classic symptoms of an infection.
- Stress
Stress can wreak havoc on your physical well-being. In fact, you may have noticed that acute stress often tends to precede a nasty bug that’s tough to get over. When you’re stressed out, increased cortisol levels can instigate or exacerbate the inflammatory symptoms of an illness. Also, stress makes you more prone to fatigue while also making it harder for you to get the restful sleep that you need. Reducing stress could ultimately help you get better quality rest and avoid getting sick.
Numerous factors can make you a lot more susceptible to both bacterial and viral infections. Consider what you may be able to do differently to fortify your defenses and stay healthy.
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