Habits that Weaken the Immune System

Role of the immune system within the body is to protect against disease or other potentially damaging foreign bodies. When functioning properly, the immune system identifies a variety of threats, including viruses, bacteria and parasites, and distinguishes them from the body’s own healthy tissue. A weakened immune system can lead to serious health conditions, because the body is unable to handle the germs and bacteria you come into contact with every day. It’s important to maintain a strong immune system, and one way to do that is to avoid these bad habits that can weaken it:

Smoking : Not only smoking increases chances of lung cancer,  but it also weakens immune system. There are thousands of toxins present in cigarette smoke that affects the immune cells in the body. This is why you need to encourage people you love to quit smoking.

Alcohol :  Too much of Alcohol intake damages immune system it destroy body’s antibody cells that are necessary for fighting off germs, viruses and  bacteria. Like smokers, those suffering from alcoholism are more likely to suffer from serious infections and diseases like tuberculosis.

Inadequate Sleep : It is important to get sufficient rest through a good night’s sleep to allow your immune system to function properly. When you sleep, your body is able to restore and refuel its natural functions, including the immune system. If you are limiting the amount of hours you have for sleep on a consistent basis, you are putting yourself at a higher risk of infection and other serious health conditions like: Heart diseases, Stroke, Hypertension, Diabetes, Obesity etc.

Lack of Exercise: If you are out of shape because you lack enough exercise, then you are weakening your immune system and increasing the risk of disease or infection. Regular exercising can help boost immune system by increasing the amount of white blood cells in your body to help fight off any forms of sickness.

Too Much Exercise: While adequate exercise can help your immune system, too much exercise can cause a great deal of physical strain on your body, which can weaken immune system.

Stress: Stress weakens immune system. High levels of stress can create a hormonal imbalance in your body, impairing immune system function that can affect the way your body recovers from a wound, and can even lead to more serious health conditions.

Not drinking adequate Water: Water is just an amazing fluid that helps proper functioning of  body including immune system. It has the ability to flush out any harmful toxins that immune system would have to deal with otherwise. Drinking more water and less soda and othersugar-filled beverages help boost up immune system.

Bad Hygiene :  While proper hygiene affects immune system indirectly, it prevents infection and illnesses by eliminating germs and bacteria. Washing your hands one or twice a day is not enough to prevent germs. Wash after eating, after returning from work or exercise, few times at work especially after shaking hands.  Keep a sanitizer always handy for proper hygiene.

Obesity : Obesity weakens a person’s immune system. It is  important to eat healthie and get more exercise to reduce the risk of any health complications.