LONDON - Throughout winter and lockdowns it is important to keep the immune system strong and healthy to help safeguard against viruses that are more prevalent throughout the cold weather.
There are many everyday things that can sabotage the immune system, like stress. Whilst our body has an amazing ability to heal, it needs to be nurtured in order to work at its optimum level to help fight off infection.
Dr Joshua Berkowitz, Medical Director at IV Boost, has explained how these tiring and stress-inducing times can impact our immunity.
"Stress sabotages our immune system as our ability to fight infection is reduced when we are stressed," he says. "The stress hormone corticosteroid reduces the body’s effectiveness of the immune system. Additionally, we often adapt unhealthy coping mechanisms when we are stressed such as drinking and smoking and sleep can also be affected."
Drinking alcohol is bad for the immune system because it increases dehydration and suppresses the body's ability to produce white blood cells, which help fight infection.
"Alcohol is a diuretic and depletes our stores of vitamins and minerals. It also affects the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, which can lead to deficiencies and making us more susceptible to infection and can cause sleep disturbance," Joshua explains.
If possible, you should aim for six to eight hours of sleep each night to help your body stay fighting fit.
"We heal when we sleep as the immune system releases cytokines to help fight infection and inflammation. The body uses lots of energy when combating or recovering from illness so sleep is paramount in helping to fight off viruses and eliminate pathogens," he says.
To boost your immunity even further, the expert recommends cutting out junk food, reducing your sugar intake and eating nutritious foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins, as well as drinking two litres of water every day to help the body flush away toxins, taking vitamin D supplements, and going for a walk.
