As a healthy editor, I practice. I have seven to eight hours of sleep every night. I often go to my favorite fitness class. I eat all fruits and vegetables every day (well, I also leave room for wine and dessert).
However, every year I catch a cold, strep throat and stomach trouble several times. I even got herpes zoster a few years ago. My question is: Why is my immune system so fragile?
In short, some people may have stronger immune systems than others. "I have some very healthy patients who have had five or six upper respiratory tract infections, that is, the common cold or, more rarely, the perennial flu. Some people are in the same health condition as them and almost never get sick," said Holly Phillips, a physician in new york and author of "Exhausted Breakthrough". This seems unfair, frankly speaking, unfair.
On the other hand, some people are also considered to be particularly resistant to certain bacterial and viral infections. "Immunologists call them super-immunity, and their genetic composition is the focus of the whole research field," Dr. Phillips said.
Your immunity is determined by several factors. Paul Bofeita, a professor of medicine, hematology and medical oncology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in new york, said that genes play a big role. Immune genes are various, and your immune response depends on their comprehensive performance.
Experts also believe that when you are young, even before you are born, you will enhance your immunity. In infancy and childhood, or in the womb, there are some factors that contribute to the development of the immune system, but they are not fully understood. More importantly, environmental factors, such as pollutants and toxins, will also weaken your immune system over time.
A prominent theory explains why some people may get sick more easily. This is a hygienic hypothesis. The more bacteria and viruses you are exposed to as a child, the smarter your immune system will become. Dr. Phillips explained that their idea is "keeping children extra clean and suffocating them in hand sanitizer may cause more harm in the long run."
In addition, lifestyle factors, including stress, obesity, alcoholism and bad hygiene habits, will weaken your immune response and lead to more panic.
How to strengthen your immune system?
Just because your immunity is out of control doesn't mean you should give up going to bed early or start eating junk food. Dr. Phillips said that nutrients in fruits and vegetables, such as zinc, iron and vitamin C, are essential for a healthy immune system, as are omega-3 fatty acids. She explained: "Omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish such as salmon can also promote the production of lymphocytes, which are the first line of defense against infection." She added that it is better to get immune protection nutrition through food than through nutritional supplements.
Adequate sleep and exercise really help to strengthen your immune system-whether you think these healthy habits are good for you or not. Exercise promotes blood circulation; Dr. Phillips explained that the increase of blood circulation promoted the production of antibacterial antibodies. She said: "Exercise can also reduce stress, which helps strengthen your immune system."
Sleep is the time for the body to recover. Dr. Phillips said: "When you sleep, your body releases an immune protein called cytokine, which helps to fight infection and control your body's response to stress." "Lack of sleep can lead to insufficient secretion of cytokines and other protective immune cells, making you more susceptible to infection."