Sounds like the latest tabloid headline, doesn't it? But it's not. It's the truth and it's just one more reason why you need to find time to work a bit of exercise into your daily routine. Read along to learn more about the benefits of exercise on your immune system.
Why should I care about boosting my immune system?
Whenever you have a cold or the flu, or whenever you cut yourself, your body's immune system immediately kicks into high gear. The immune system is a fairly complex system of organs and cells spread throughout your body. It's the system that's responsible for identifying and for fighting off foreign invaders such as bacteria, parasites and fungi. Without an immune system, your body would have little chance of remaining healthy. When your immune system becomes compromised, diseases like cancer and AIDS can take over.
No matter how old you are, you've probably heard that it's important to exercise regularly. You understand that exercise is neccessary for maintaining proper weight. You might even understand that exercise is an excellent way to help reduce your stress levels. But one thing you might not realize about exercise is that it also plays a role in keeping your immune system healthy.
How exercise helps your immune system
Exactly how exercise keeps your immune system strong and healthy is an area that is beginning to be studied in earnest. Scientists have known for years that exercise helps strengthen the immune system; they just haven't been able to figure out exactly how it does so.
Exercise helps lift your mood, relieves anxiety and depression, and promotes sociability, so one area that's being studied is a potential connection between the central nervous system and the immune system.
Another area of study is focused on the effects of exercise on individuals with already compromised immune systems. One such study involved women undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Results of this study suggested that women who became involved in moderate exercise a few times each week after completing breast cancer treatment actually were able to bring their immune cell counts back up to "normal" levels. Their immune systems also made more lymphocytes (white blood cells) and had lower levels of inflammatory markers.
More is Not Better!
Contrary to what you might think, exercising longer and more strenuously won't make your immune system better and stronger. What is most effective when it comes to giving your immune system a boost is moderate exercise such as walking, swimming or bicycling performed 3 or 4 times per week. Believe it or not, more exercise than this can actually cause the immune system to weaken. How could this be?
The reason really isn't that complicated. When people exercise strenuously, their bodies begin to release cortisol and adrenaline. If you don't know what cortisol and adrenaline are, well they're more commonly referred to as the "stress" hormones. The release of these two hormones can cause an increase in your blood pressure and an increase in cholesterol. And just as dangerous, they can cause the immune system to become suppressed. Their release is the reason why individuals who participate in endurance or extreme exercise are more susceptible to infection.
Exercise can combat the effects of age
Besides foreign invaders and excessive exercise, the aging process can also cause your immune system to become compromised. A compromised immune system later in life can bring on the symptoms of several age-related diseases including macular degeneration and Alzheimer's disease. Studies have also shown that a physically active lifestyle all throughout life can help prevent age-related declines in certain antibodies that are produced by the immune system. And once again, the type of exercise does not matter.
In addition to incorporating exercise into your daily routine, take a look at Immunitril(tm). It's an herbal supplement that may also help give your immune system a boost. You won't find Immunitril(tm) in your grocery store, though. Right now it's only available at select e-tailers and online stores like Amazon.com and BODeStore.com. If you'd like more information, simply visit Amazon.com and search for Immunitril(tm).
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About the Author:| Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on a health or fitness program. |
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