How Can I Boost My Immune System Fast?

1. Eat a nutritious diet

Your immune system needs adequate nourishment in order to function, which is why it’s important to eat a healthy diet rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Proteins especially play a huge role in the antibodies that are involved in fighting off foreign bodies, such as disease-causing germs.

Experiments have supported the theory that various micronutrient deficiencies (for example, deficiencies of zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6, C, and E) alter our immune responses.

Evidence suggests that vitamin C-rich foods are good immunity boosters. Try to include at least one food source of vitamin C in your diet, such as oranges, grapefruit, kiwis, and strawberries.

Raspberries, squash, honeydew, green tea, grapes, and broccoli contain polyphenols, which also help strengthen immunity.

If you are unsure whether you are meeting your nutrient requirements through your diet, you can ask your doctor about vitamin supplementation.

2. Stay physically active

Just like a healthy diet, exercise is one of the pillars of healthy living. It helps you maintain optimal weight, improves heart health and functioning, and reduces the risk of diabetes. Some studies suggest that it also improves your body’s ability to fight disease. For example, improving lung health through aerobic activities can help your lungs recover more quickly from chest infections.

3. Limit your alcohol intake

Letting your alcohol intake get out of control can weaken your immunity. While not drinking at all is best for your health, you can limit your drinking to 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women. 

4. Quit tobacco

The chemicals released through cigarette smoke, such as carbon monoxide, nicotine, nitrogen oxides, and cadmium, can cause significant damage to the immune system. Try to quit smoking by taking advantage of counseling, nicotine replacement products, and prescription non-nicotine medications.

5. Keep your gut healthy

Your digestive tract, especially the intestines, are a huge part of your immune system. To keep the gut healthy, reduce sugary foods from your diet and include more high-fiber foods and probiotics, such as yogurt, buttermilk, and kefir.

6. Manage stress

Chronic stress is associated with high levels of the hormone cortisol. Cortisol release is believed to block the effects of the immune system when the body is exposed to infection-causing microbes.

Stress affects everyone differently, so it’s important to find a way to manage stress that works for you. Some may find taking long walks in the open to be relaxing, while others find solace in listening to music or tending to their gardens.

7. Get quality sleep

Not getting enough sleep also triggers the release of cortisol, which hampers the functioning of the immune system. Aim to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night.