Discover how much laughter you need to boost your #immune system, the vegetable that gives you 159% of #immune-boosting vitamin C, vitamins that boost your immune system, how much exercise you really need to boost your immune system, and how water helps fight infections. Please allow 5 seconds for video to load. (Article also provided below for your convenience).
1. Is Laughter Natures Medicine?
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, where participants watched comedy 1x a week for 4 weeks, laughing lowered blood pressure and heart rate. Seems like laughter is jogging for the heart.
Laughter also increases serotonin which is a hormone that helps alleviate depression. Laughter strengthens your abdominal muscles and increases infection-fighting antibodies. So listen to some comedy, strengthen your immune system and your belly at the same time!
2. Immune Boosting Vitamins
Vitamin C and Zinc are often prescribed to boost the immune system. Zinc works as an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant and has been used to treat colds.
An interesting note: Zinc has been prescribed for the prevention of blindness in patients with age-related macular degeneration. Check with your doctor before taking zinc because an overdose can cause diarrhea and an upset stomach. Vitamin A and vitamin E also help fight against bacteria and viruses.
Foods High in Zinc
• A three-ounce serving of Oysters has 493% of your daily value of zinc.
• If you’re not fond of oysters, lobster has 24% of the recommended daily amount.
• 3.5 ounces of Cashews have 37 percent of your daily value of zinc.
• One serving of beef, (the size of a deck of cards), is also a good source of zinc.
What Does Vitamin C Do?
Vitamin C helps your nerves, heart, brain, and muscles function.
Vitamin C also helps your body produce energy.
Vitamin C also helps wounds heal and helps restore antioxidants in your body. Antioxidants prevent cell damage that can lead to diseases. Another interesting fact is that vitamin C helps your body metabolize protein and absorb iron.
3. Immune-Boosting Vegetable
Tip: Citrus fruits are not the only place to get vitamin C, just a half-cup of raw red pepper provides you with 159 percent of vitamin C. So if your stomach is sensitive to citrus fruits, red peppers are a healthy alternative. Another reason to eat red peppers? They have immune-boosting vitamin A in them. Just a half-cup provides 47 percent of your daily vitamin A requirement. In addition to citrus and red peppers, Kiwifruit, green peppers, broccoli, and strawberries have a good source of vitamin C.
Tip: The best way to eat red peppers is raw because roasting them reduces their immune-boosting effect by 25%.
4. How Much Exercise Do You Really Need to Improve Your Immune System?
When it comes to exercise, research shows that 20–40 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day boosts the immune system. If you haven’t exercised in a while, it’s important to gradually build up your tolerance level. What is moderate intensity for one person may be easy for another. In order to get a strong immune system, listen to your body and be consistent with your exercise program. Every exercise class here is specially designed to get you maximum gain without strain.
5. How Water Improves Your Immune System
Do you avoid drinking water so you don’t have to go to the bathroom? Dehydration weakens your immune system by multiplying bacteria and viruses. Water helps get nutrients into your cells and removes waste which is vital for you to have a healthy immune system.
Dehydration can cause a urinary tract infection! A urinary tract infection in the mature population can lead to confusion and delirium. Another reason to stay hydrated? Drinking water helps your kidneys flush out toxins so your immune system stays strong. Water also helps the bronchial mucous membranes (where phlegm is produced) stay moist. If there isn’t enough water, the bronchial area becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses so drink up!
If drinking 6 – 8 cups of water is too much for you, you can also get some of your daily requirements by…
Eating Your Water!
While you still should drink your water, you can supplement drinking water by adding foods that are high in water content.
High Water Content Foods
· Cucumbers: 96.7%
· Lettuce: 95%
· Watermelon: 91.5%
· Strawberries: 91%
· Pineapple 87%
It's time to get back to life with Healthwise Exercise immune-boosting exercise DVDs. As seen on PBS TV, and all workouts are reviewed and approved by Doctors.
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained herein are for informational purposes only. No material in this video and article is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new health care regimen.
Sources:
Webmd - Red Pepper: Health Benefits, Nutrients, Preparation, and More (webmd.com)
11 Surprising Facts About the Immune System | Live Science
How to Boost Your Immune System Naturally | Mama Natural
Beneficial effect of laughter therapy on physiological and psychological function in elders - PubMed (nih.gov)
The Benefits of Exercise to the Immune System - BJUtoday
Zinc in Human Health: Effect of Zinc on Immune Cells (nih.gov).
6 Foods High in Vitamin C and Why You Need It (webmd.com)