The 10 Commandments for a Healthy Immune System

by WiredBerries Editors — October 3, 2007

You may have heard about the recent study that found people are increasingly neglecting to wash their hands after using public bathrooms. Combine that with cold and flu season being around the corner, and things are starting to look bleak for our immune systems. According to the Harvard Medical School report "The Truth About Your Immune System," the danger of picking up an infection "is very real. In 2004, 61,472 people in the United States died of influenza or pneumonia, making those diseases together the U.S.'s eighth leading cause of death. And each year, around 215,000 people in the United States die from a severe bacterial infection known as sepsis, which is more than the number who die from breast, colorectal, pancreatic, and prostate cancers combined."

"Tuberculosis, once considered under control, was responsible for 1.7 million deaths in 2004. At the same time, infectious diseases are emerging around the globe in such forms as bird flu and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). As you age, you become more vulnerable to these diseases."

The immune system is the body's most powerful protector. But while it's working tirelessly around the clock to keep us safe and healthy, there are some things we can do to protect it in return. Even though a vast array of "immune boosting" supplements exists, researchers say that healthy living strategies are still the most effective way to give your immune system the upper hand. The following advice may seem simple, but it's more effective than any pill or elixir.

Tips to Keep Your Immune System Strong:

1. Wash your hands frequently and cook meats thoroughly.
2. Don't smoke.
3. Eat a diet high in fruits, veggies, and whole grains, and low in saturated fat.
4. Exercise regularly.
5. Maintain a healthy weight.
6. Control your blood pressure.
7. If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
8. Get regular age-appropriate medical screenings
9. Get adequate sleep.
10. Avoid chronic stress when possible, or learn relaxation techniques to better cope with unavoidable, difficult situations.

If you can stick to these immune health "commandments," you'll be ahead of the game when it comes to being healthy, happy, and worry-free.