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We are all more than aware we should prioritize our immunity. Our immune system will keep us healthy, and this means that we’ve got to give our immune system the support it needs. But this also means understanding the ways that we can damage our immune system. Let’s show you some things that could have a major impact on your immune system.
Mold
Mold spores can enter the body as pathogens and cause changes in the inflammatory and immune system response. If you are chronically exposed to mold, your immune system is not going to function as it should. Therefore, if you find mold in the home, it’s vital to focus on mold remediation and minimization. Aspergillosis is the technical term for an allergic reaction to mold and can result in a number of symptoms, including fever, chest pain, and coughing with blood or mucus.
Not Enough Sleep
Sleep is about quality rather than quantity. Improving your sleep cycle is pivotal because this will prime your immune system. If you have a lack of sleep, evidence has continually shown you can get sick pretty quickly. You should aim for between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night, but you should also understand what it takes to get to sleep properly. These include:
- Not using your device before going to sleep.
- Sleeping in a blackened room.
- Not eating in the few hours before bedtime.
- Going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day, including weekends.
Not Consuming Enough Fiber
Fiber is crucial for many reasons, but recent research has shown the benefits of nurturing the gut which is approximately 80% of your immune system. Ensuring that women consume 25g per day and men consume 31g can support the immune system, as well as consuming more probiotics and prebiotics. More fiber can help you to lower inflammation levels and ward off chronic disease.
Consuming Too Much Sugar
It’s vital to ensure that your sugar intake stays around 10% of your daily amount. If you eat too much sugar, this can repel immune system cells that are meant to attack bad bacteria. This means that you are more likely to get sick, making your immune system compromised.
Consuming Caffeine Later in the Day
While caffeine has anti-inflammatory properties we’ve got to recognize that consuming too much caffeine in the run-up to sleep is going to have an impact on our immunity because we’re not sleeping properly.
Feeling Too Stressed
We are all running the risk of feeling stressed in life, which can have an impact on immunity because too much stress can release the hormones adrenaline and cortisol which reduces your white blood cell counts (specifically the cells phagocytes and lymphocytes), which can make it difficult for the body to fight off infections.
We must remember that health is important for every aspect of our life, but many people seldom look at the things that are damaging the system. Hopefully, some of these can give you insight into what you could improve in your life.
