With everything going on in our world with a dreaded virus and the blatant killing of Black people around the country, it is more necessary now than ever to maintain a strong immune system.

You can easily boost your immune system if you are aware of the things that suppress it. So today let us take a look at some things , many may surprise you, that lower our immunity.

• LACK OF SLEEP

Not getting enough sleep can make you more likely to catch viruses and germs. Your body is unable to make the antibodies that defend against illnesses. Certain proteins that help the immune system, called cytokines, are only released while you sleep.

• ANXIETY

In recent days our stress and anxiety may have increased significantly. Stress and worry are not good germ fighters. Just having anxious thoughts can weaken your immune response in as little as thirty minutes. Constant stress makes it harder to fend off flu, herpes, shingles, and other viruses.

• LOW VIT D

It is common knowledge you need Vit D for strong bones and healthy blood cells. However it also boosts your immune system. You can find vit. D in eggs, fatty fish, and fortified foods like cereal and milk. A great source of Vit D that costs you nothing is sunshine. In the summer just 5-15 minutes of the suns rays on your face, hands, and arms two to three times a week is enough.

• TOO FEW FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Fruits and vegetables help our bodies make more of the white blood cells we need to fight off infections. Fresh produce, nuts and seeds provide a lot of zinc, beta carotene, vitamins A,C,E, and other nutrients you need for a healthy body. Plant based foods also fill you up with fiber which helps decrease your body fat percentage. This strengthens your immune response.

• HIGH FAT DIET

Oils hinder our germ fighting white blood cells. High fat diets over time can upset the balance of bacteria in your gut that help your immune response. Look for low fat dairy with no added sugar and lean protein like seafood, turkey, chicken and lean cuts of beef. Being obese seems to make you more likely to get flu and other infections like pneumonia.

• TOO LITTLE TIME OUTDOORS

Sunlight energizes cells in your immune system called T cells. These cells help fight infection. Many plants in the woods make phytoncides and other substances . When you breathe them in they boost your immune function.

• SMOKING

Nicotine can weaken your body’s ability to fight germs. Other chemicals in E cigarette liquids suppress the immune system especially when inhaled through vaping.

• ALCOHOL

Over drinking just once slows the body’s ability to fight germs for up to 24 hours. Overtime too much drinking blunts your body’s ability to repair itself. This may make you more susceptible to get illnesses like liver disease, pneumonia, and certain cancers.

• LACK OF EXERCISE

Regular aerobic exercise helps your body fight illnesses caused by bacteria and viruses. This in part is because it helps blood move more efficiently. That means germ fighting substances where they need to go.

• NO SEX

Oh my, oh my, I am in trouble with this one. Weekly intimacy seems to boost your immune system. Sex raises levels of a substance called Immunoglobin A or IgA. But be aware more is not always better. Couples who had sex more than twice a week had lower levels of IgA than those who had no sex at all.

Just making a few changes in your life can lead to a huge boost in your immune system. Do it now !