HOW To Boost Your Immune System

The immune system is your body’s natural defence system, an intricate collection of cell structures and processes that when functioning properly will detect pathogens like viruses and bacteria and eliminates them, preventing you from getting ill.

What you eat, how much you exercise and stress can all affect how well this system functions. There are many ways in which you can support your immune system from eating foods that are rich in antioxidants to ensuring you get enough sleep each night.

We asked Marie Reynolds a skin and wellness expert with over 35 years’ experience in the industry to guide us through her top tips on how to boost your immunity.

HOW does the immune system work?

The immune system is a system that fights disease within our body. It creates celled like macrophages and lymphocytes that fight free radical attacks. It can become compromised from poor diet and lifestyle as well as stress.

What would you say are the most common misunderstandings about the immune SYSTEM?

That gut health is not the main factor to immunity. 80% of our lymph nodes are found in the gut, in things called Peyers Patches. Poor diet and defecation will impact our immunity.

What are the KEY things that can impact the health of your immune system?

Stress and diet. How we think and how we deal with stress certainly impacts our wellbeing- that alone affects gut health (brain and gut link). The quality of food we are placing in our bodies can put a strain on digestion. Increasing the rate of constipation can encourage toxicity, which is the last thing you need when trying to boost immunity.

WHAT are the most important things to do to help support and strengthen our immune SYSTEMS?

First and foremost is eat clean! Remember what we put in our bodies is fundamental to our wellbeing, if you’re eating rubbish, drinking soft drinks and alcohol, then this not only places a strain on your immune system but increases toxicity and creates acidity in the body.
Secondly, increase your intake of immune boosting vitamins especially Vitamin C and probiotics.
Find supplements that will help to cleanse organs of elimination (liver, kidneys and the gut in particular). Intracellular hydration is also important – look for an ionic supplement to add to water or look for a hydrogen water device.