Immunity is especially important at the beginning of the fall and winter, when colds and flus are rampant. Keeping your immune system healthy is the best way to prevent coming down with one of these potentially debilitating viruses – so be aware of what things can compromise that immunity and make you more vulnerable to getting sick.
Canned Foods
Canned foods themselves are not the problem, but the fact that their linings contain a chemical called bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is a is a suspected carcinogen but also is able to interfere with can weaken your immune system.
Antibiotics
Sometimes antibiotics simply cannot be avoided – however, make sure you take them only when necessary and complete your entire regimen. Also be sure to consume yogurt and/or fermented foods to keep up your population of healthy bacteria.
Microwave Popcorn
Microwave popcorn itself is not the issue. However, the bags which they come in are lined with chemicals that seep into the corn before we consume it. These chemicals, like BPA, are known to have an unhealthy effect on the immune system.
Sugar
The American diet is loaded with sugar and it can be hard to avoid. However, managing to reduce it can really pay off. Studies have shown that even small amounts of sugar can significantly reduce the number of white blood cells, which are responsible for helping to kill off disease-causing pathogens.
Air Pollution
In many cases, polluted air contains chemicals called polycyclic aromatic compounds, or PAC’s. You are exposed to them by breathing in the contaminated air and, among other things, these chemicals can weaken your immunity.
Lack of Sleep
Sleep deprivation is a widespread problem and is more serious than many realize. One issue with it is that getting less sleep than you need can greatly reduce the number of antibodies in your blood stream and make you more vulnerable to infection and disease.
Dehydration
Another common problem for many people is simply not getting enough water to drink throughout the day. In fact, most people stay mildly dehydrated more or less all the time. This, however, can also lead to less efficient immune system function and make it more likely that you will become ill.
Insecticides
Using insecticides to kill pests around the home might seem like a good idea, but regular use of them is linked to the development of autoimmune disorders. In fact, those who use these sprays regularly are 2 ½ times as likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Antibacterial Soaps
Again, people think when they are using antibacterial soaps that they are keeping healthy, but use of them has been linked to increased risk of allergies. This might well be because of triclosan, a chemical common in antibacterial products.
Pots and Pans
Nonstick pots and pans have chemicals in them similar to those found in microwaves popcorn bags and can lead to an array of health problems, including a compromised immune system.
Your immune system is what keeps you safe from disease-causing pathogens that can lead to serious illnesses and health complaints. Therefore, keeping your immune system healthy and strong should be a top priority. Avoiding some of the articles mentioned above can really help you keep your immunity in good shape.
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