Three simple tips to strengthen your immune system and stay healthy this holiday season.
Tl;dr
- The holiday season can affect our health if we don't take care of ourselves.
- Dr. Leana Wen recommends eating healthily, exercising regularly, and sleeping well.
- Ultra-processed foods can have a negative impact on our immune system.
Take care of your health this holiday season
It's the holiday season, a time when we tend to be a little carefree by indulging in festive pleasures and good meals. However, this joy of living can sometimes take a toll on our health. Fortunately, by adopting simple habits, we can minimize these negative effects.
Tips from Wellness Expert, Dr. Leana Wen
Dr. Leana Wen, wellness expert and clinical associate professor at George Washington University, gives us three essential tips for protecting our immune systems during this time. She states that our immune system is our natural defense against viruses, bacteria and other potential pathogens. A strong, healthy immune system reduces the risk of contracting infectious diseases and becoming seriously ill.
Avoid ultra-processed foods
Dr. Wen's first tip is to avoid overconsumption of ultra-processed foods. These foods may contribute to obesity and chronic inflammation, two factors closely linked to alterations in the gut microbiome, which can affect immune function. Additionally, as Dr. Wen points out, these foods contain high amounts of chemicals such as preservatives, emulsifiers, artificial colors, and colorants. A diet high in ultra-processed foods can reduce life expectancy by more than 10%.
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Maintain a Regular Exercise Routine
The second tip is to maintain a regular exercise routine. Exercise helps increase blood circulation, which helps mobilize white blood cells, the immune system cells that fight disease. Additionally, exercise can help reduce chronic stress, which can strengthen your immune system.
Get enough sleep
“The third tip is to sleep well”emphasizes Dr. Wen. Sleep helps produce and program hematopoietic stem cells, which are an essential part of the body's innate immune system. Additionally, people who get enough sleep produce more antibodies in response to certain vaccinations. Dr. Wen reminds us that sleep deprivation can increase the risk of various diseases.
In summary, this holiday season, consider your health by avoiding ultra-processed foods, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. Your body will thank you for it.
