Stay on top of your immune health with these tips – By Mayson Marshall, nutraMetrix Program Coordinator –

Since the immune system is constantly working as the body’s defense, the best way to support a healthy immune system is by making healthy lifestyle choices. Society and our surroundings can often make healthy lifestyle choices easy to omit but being consistent with healthy habits may support the body’s ability to perform at it’s very best. Here are five everyday tips that can promote quality of your immune function.

1.) Adequate Sleep. Make sure you are getting enough sleep. Deprivation of sleep not only decreases your energy level, but it also weakens the immune system. Things you can do to get better sleep quality is to set a sleep schedule and try to get around 8 hours of sleep, limit your screen time before bed, and include exercise during the day.

2.) Healthy Diet. Nutrition affects the microbiome, gut barrier function, and white blood cell function, all in which play a role in immune health.² It is not just important to consume a healthy diet, but it is also a positive way to ensure your body is receiving the nutrients it needs for proper immune function. A nutritious diet that is rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals such as fruits, vegetables, high protein meats like seafood, poultry, and steak, while avoiding processed foods are essential for promoting a healthy immune system. In addition to healthy food choices, it is also important to watch beverage intake. Staying hydrated and drinking the appropriate amount of water daily not only helps the body function at optimal levels, but it also helps the body eliminate toxins and other bacteria.⁶ Alcohol consumption should be in moderation as alcohol is a disruption to immune function and its pathways; these disruptions can prevent the body from performing how it is intended to.⁷

3.) Exercise. Physical activity plays a key role in keeping you overall healthy. Exercising can benefit the immune system by stimulating cellular function, increasing body temperature, improving sleep quality and can boost your mood.³ Lack of physical activity makes the body less equipped to perform at its optimal capacity and participating in frequent exercise promotes maintaining a healthy weight. ⁴ It is recommended that moderate physical activity is performed for 30 minutes daily.

4.) Reduce Stress. The immune system is sensitive to psychological stress and typically knows when we are stressed over current events in our life.⁵ Doing things that make you happy or relaxed can support a normal immune function. Spending time in the sunlight, going for a walk, listening to music, reading a book, attending an event you enjoy and spending time with family and friends are just a few examples of ways we can reduce stress.

5.) Supplementation. Incorporating supplements into your daily routine can promote a healthy immune system. If you are not receiving the recommended number of vitamins and minerals from your daily food intake, supplements are a great way to help where you may be falling short. nutraMetrix offers several immune supporting supplements, particularly nutraMetrix Isotonix® Immune. nutraMetrix Isotonix® Immune consists of Wellmune, Vitamin C and Zinc. These three ingredients work together to support the body’s natural response, support mental clarity, and promote beneficial activity of macrophages, T cells and natural killer cells, which engulf and destroy pathogens and foreign matter.  To learn more about this product or to purchase, click here!

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

1. How Does Lack of Sleep Affect Your Immune System? (medicinenet.com)
2. Diet and the immune system: What is the link? (medicalnewstoday.com)
3. Does Exercise Boost the Immune System? (healthline.com)
4. Six Tips to Enhance Immunity | DNPAO | CDC
5. How Does Stress Affect the Immune System? – UMMS Health
6. How Staying Hydrated Can Help Support Your Immune System – Essence
7. Alcohol and the Immune System – PMC (nih.gov)