immune system

I’m a huge fan of probiotics. I actually drink DanActive (a dairy-based probiotic drink) on a daily basis to strengthen my immune system. Probiotics are “friendly bacteria” or “good bacteria,” which are believed to help promote a healthy digestive system.

You have naturally friendly bacteria that grows in your gut. This friendly bacteria is essential to the healthy development of the immune system, and it protects against microorganisms that might cause illness. Plus, you need that friendly bacteria to help you digest and absorb the food that you eat. The friendly bacteria can be killed off by antibiotics and disease-causing bacteria and parasites. To replenish your supply, you should consider eating probiotic foods or taking a probiotic supplement.

It is believed that 60 to 70 percent of all the immune cells in your body resides is in the GI tract. By introducing probiotics to your digestive tract, the theory is that you can strengthen the immune system‘s defenses. (If you want to learn more about probiotics, check out the National Institutes of Health’s fact sheet on Probiotics.)

As a whole, the human immune system does an amazing job of defending against disease-causing microorganisms. Sometimes, however, the immune system fails and you get sick.

In case you didn’t realize it – our world is pretty filthy and teeming with bacteria and microorganisms. You can yucky germs on your bed, your cell phone, on your TV set, and of course in your bathroom. You may think that keeping your home as sterile as possible will prevent illness. But this actually works against you. Studies have shown that excessive cleanliness and sterile environments has led to soaring rates of allergies.

Research has indicated that the more sterile the environment, the higher the child’s risk of getting allergies or developing an immune problem in his or her lifetime. Exposure to bacteria in childhood is an important part of building a healthy immune system.

You and your children will get sick in your lifetime. The immune system is complex, and researchers still don’t full understand the intricacies and interconnectedness of the human immune system. What we do know is that the immune system requires balance and harmony to function well. [Read more…] about How to Boost the Immune System with 8 Easy Strategies