Importance Of Keeping Your Immune System Strong

Importance Of Keeping Your Immune System Strong

The previous H1N1 flu which has infected hundreds of thousands of people and caused numerous deaths worldwide is yet another grim reminder to us that all of us need to have two good habits – maintaining good personal hygiene and a strong immune system.

Despite remarkable advancement in the medical field with the development of vaccines and treatments which had helped contained and eradicated many of the past killer infections such as smallpox, tetanus, leprosy and polio, infection continue to be the biggest threat to the world.

Do you know that infectious disease such as hepatitis, AIDS, etc. are responsible for the biggest loss of human lives, collectively accounting for at least 15 million deaths every year?

What is most worrying is the continued emergence of numerous new disease that were known before; as well as the resurfacing of stronger new strains of old diseases (such as tuberculosis and malaria) that were thought to have been eradicated. The SARS outbreak several years ago was caused by a new virulent mutant strain of the corona virus and the H1N1 flu virus is also a new mutant flu strain.

While our scientists are normally able to identify the culprit quite quickly, finding the cure is quite another matter. Usually that will take some time, maybe months or even years before vaccine or cure is found.

So, what can we do to protect ourselves during such critical periods against the outbreak of deadly disease such H1N1?

Of course, the best possible thing is to totally avoid being exposed to the deadly virus. So, as far as possible, avoid going to “high risk” crowded areas with poor ventilation. Take the necessary precautions advised by healthcare professionals such as wearing face masks, washing hands after touching things like doorknobs, handles, shaking hands, etc. and exercise more care when using public facilities such as pubic telephone, public transports, or public toilets.

Besides, taking the necessary precautions, an important favour that we can do for ourselves is to strengthen up our body’s defence system, as one of the best forms of protection that we can have is a strong immune system.

While having strong immune system cannot guarantee that a person will be safe from any infections, at least it will help increase the person’s resistance against an attack, and in the unfortunate event that the person does get infected, a stronger immune system will ensure a stronger chance of success in the person’s battle against the pathogens, hence giving a better chance of survival or speedier recovery.

How Do We Keep Our Immune System At Its Peak?

1. Make sure that you have enough rest as insufficient sleep and tiredness will lower down our body’s defence system.

2. Avoid getting ourselves stressed up. Stress and anxiety will also affect our immune system.

3. Avoid taking food that depresses the immune system. High cholesterol, high saturated fat, fried foods and alcohol can undermine the immune system.

4. Increase intake of nutritious food such as antioxidant-rich deep-coloured vegetables and fruits that can help boost the immune system. Also, drink more water.

5. it is always a good idea to take food supplements as due to our eating habits and choice of meals, we may not obtain sufficient amounts of the necessary nutrients that we require.