How to Care for the Immune System

Do you seem to catch every bug that's going around the office or school? If so, you probably need to give some thought to your immune system. It's likely that you've been overworking it, and it can't rally your defenses against the germs others fight off easily. Fortunately, a few basic things are at the core of caring for your immune system.

Instructions

• 1

  Eat a low fat diet. Not only does this lower your cholesterol and help you lose weight, but it boosts the production of T-cells, which fight off infection.

• 2

  Take a multivitamin. Research has shown that vitamins, particularly vitamin A, play important roles in the health of the immune system.

• 3

  Add cruciferous vegetables to your diet. Cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, turnips, bok choy and turnips all contain compounds that boost the immune system.

• 4

  Flavor your food with onion and garlic. They are especially helpful in preventing cancer.

• 5

  Reduce your stress. Research has shown that a high stress level alone is enough to seriously compromise your immune system.

• 6

  Exercise. This stimulates your blood to produce interleukin and interferon, which fight infection.

• 7

  Get some sun, but not too much. While too much exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer, spending a little time outdoors helps prevent other kinds of carcinomas, such as colon cancer.

• 8

  Use condoms. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is spread primarily through sexual contact, and it hijacks the immune system so it can't fight off infections.

• 9

  Rest. Give your body time to recuperate from the day's activities. Get adequate sleep and don't be ashamed to just sit and do nothing for a while.

• 10

  Wash your hands when you come home for the day, after using the bathroom and before preparing food. Help out your immune system by getting rid of some germs before they get a chance to enter your body.