If you are worried about your immune system, you should just take a mega dose of vitamin C and carry on with your life as usual, laying around on the couch all day and eating junk food for every meal, right?
Unfortunately it doesn’t really work that way. As with most things in life, health and a healthy immune system are about balance, and while achieving this balance isn’t always easy, right now it’s crucial.
There are a lot of myths out there about your immune system, and many of them are extremely harmful. Some people believe that vaccines somehow damage your immune system by not allowing it to function properly, but in fact the opposite is true.
Your immune system is your last line of defense against antigens, and if it’s busy constantly fighting off one after the other it will quickly become overwhelmed.
Vaccines give your immune system a fighting chance at fighting off other illnesses and antigens that it doesn’t have an existing blueprint for, like the novel coronavirus.
If you already have the flu when you are exposed, it’s going to be a lot harder for your immune system to pull double duty. If you are able to fight one illness at a time you have a better chance.
There are other myths about your immune system that are equally damaging. Some people think that the more you exercise, the healthier you will be.
For certain things and to a certain extent that is correct, but if you overdo it you can actually tax your immune system and your organs rather than protecting them.
Moderation is key – exercise a healthy and reasonable amount and you will protect your body’s vital systems. Your diet is important when it comes to your overall health, especially your immunity.
As the old adage goes, garbage in, garbage out. Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is crucial to good overall health and immune function. It’s OK to eat treats once in a while as long as it’s not a daily occurrence and it is done in moderation.
Taking vitamins and supplements can be helpful as well, but only if you keep things in balance. Overdoing it on one vitamin or another can put your body’s systems out of whack, and even some high doses of certain vitamins can be deadly.
People are worried about contracting and surviving COVID-19, and misinformation is unfortunately rampant right now.
If something seems too good to be true it probably is, and your best defense against misinformation is to treat all new information with a healthy dose of skepticism. Check sources and look for the supporting studies before buying into any miracle cures.
Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle has never been more important than it is now. Remember that it’s all about balance and being reasonable, and bad advice can be deadly.
Check sources, get plenty of rest and water, and make sure your diet and lifestyle are in check. Learn more about protecting your health and your immune system from the infographic below.
