Do you catch a cold or the flu every year around this time? The flu season is fast approaching, and the question is, is your body, your immune system, ready for this annual onslaught? So what is one of the best defenses against the common cold or flu? Eating the "right" foods and doing the "right" exercises. Do those two things and you’ll not only lose weight, you’ll give your immune system a big boost as well.
Do you catch a cold or the flu every year around this time? Yep, you guessed it – the “sick season” will soon be here. (Maybe by the time you read this it will already have arrived!) Students are back in school and new strains of bacteria and viruses are making the rounds.
Not only does getting the flu or a bad cold make you feel like you’ve been hit by a bus, you also become unproductive and possibly even lose wages at work. Plus, you have a hard time taking part in the day-to-day activities that you need to (or that you enjoy).
So what is one of the best defenses against the common cold or flu?
Eating the "right" foods and doing the "right" exercises.
Do those two things and you’ll not only lose weight, you’ll give your immune system a big boost as well.
The following information comes from scientific reports prepared by the Department of Physiology and Nutrition at the University of Navarra. The reports outline the relationship between being overweight and the proper functioning of your immune system. (Yes, it’s a bit technical, but I’ll translate it for you.)
** The immunological processes involved in the collaborative defense of organisms are affected by nutritional status. Thus, a positive chronic imbalance between energy intake and expenditure leads to situations of obesity, which may influence unspecific and specific immune responses mediated by humoral and cell mediated mechanisms.
** Furthermore, several lines of evidence have supported a link between adipose tissue and immunocompetent cells. This interaction is illustrated in obesity, where excess adiposity and impaired immune function have been described in both humans and genetically obese rodents.
In layman's terms, that means your immune system will take a hit if you bring in more calories than you burn through exercise. Those excess, unused calories turn into fat, and fat is no friend of your immune system. And if your immune system isn’t operating at peak efficiency, guess what? That’s right, the chances that the cold and flu bugs will take up residence in your body are considerably higher. Your impaired immune system will fling open the door, and those nasty critters will walk right in.
In other words, the more overweight you are, the more often you will get sick. Your body will not fight off viruses and bacteria the way you would like it to.
So … here are a couple of recommendations. There is nothing revolutionary about them. You’ve probably heard them before. But if you really want to increase your chances of getting through this flu season unscathed, this time actually put them into effect. As follows:
** Exercise daily. Please, you don’t have to overdo it – that’s as bad as not exercising at all. In other words, there’s no need to spend six hours at the gym every day. Just go for a walk for 20 minutes, but do it every day. Your body needs it. And it’s also good for your soul. If possible, go with a friend or your partner. My wife and I walk daily (or nightly) around the edge of our 4-acre property in Eastern Washington state (we call it our “perimeter perambulation”). Our three dogs come with us. Sometimes we talk. Sometimes we’re silent. And here’s a tip: Go at sunset or sunrise. You’ll be amazed at what an experience that can be. Well, that’s it. Pretty simple, right?
** Be aware at all times of what you’re putting into your body. Ask yourself whether what you’re about to eat is, well, good for you. Most times the answer is pretty obvious. Just remember that your body is all you have to carry you through this life, so be nice to it, and chances are good it will be nice to you.
One nice thing you can do for your body is eat lots of veggies of all varieties. Your body loves veggies, trust me. And it loves whole fruit as well. If you eat grains, eat mostly whole grains instead of flour products. And go easy on the dairy products – they produce mucus and are hard to digest for some people.
If you’re like most people you don’t drink enough water. You don’t have to drown yourself, but try to drink it throughout the day. And, as hard as it may be to do, put a limit on the coffee.
Try to avoid pop altogether. (I confess that I sometimes fall off the no-pop wagon, especially on hot summer days.) Even diet sodas can whack your immune system for a few hours.
Do I have to even mention the pastries, pies, cookies and donuts? Or the ice cream? Sugar inhibits your immune system and is an invitation to all sorts of viral and bacterial bad guys. So unless you really want to ask them in to wreak havoc on that poor defenseless body of yours, don’t answer that particular doorbell too often.
Take care, and stay well.
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