There are certain things we do every day that may be negatively affecting our immune system and our overall health, thus making us more prone to repeated infections, frequent colds, and other diseases. Some of us may not be aware of it, but others know how bad these habits are for their body.
Here some of the habits that are making us ill.
Getting Less Sleep
We are undoubtedly not helping our immune system if we don’t get enough sleep. When sleep deprivation becomes chronic, it is associated with metabolic syndrome, conditions that increase our risk of various diseases including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, and also harms the cells that make up our immune system. It is recommended that adults should have 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
Consuming Excess Sugar
Consumption of excess sugar is really bad for our mental health and immune system.
The result of a study showed that after an overnight fast, humans fed 100 grams of sugar experienced a reduction in the ability of immune cells to engulf bacteria. The greatest effects were found between one and two hours later but lingered for up to five hours.
Experts recommend limiting or avoid an ongoing surplus of sugar consumption.
Too Much Salt
Studies have shown that too much salt can increase blood pressure levels, our risk of heart disease and stroke, and weaken our immune system. It would be better to reduce salt in our diet to can give us an extra year of life!
Smoking
According to the Centers for Disease Control, cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 toxins, most of which can irritate or kill cells in the body thus weakening the immune system. It changes the number of various immune cells and damages the functioning of others.
Due to this, smokers are at higher risk of having infectious diseases, such as flu, gum diseases, and respiratory infection.
Eating Too Much Fast Food
Fast food is popular because the food is inexpensive, convenient, and tastes good. However, they are dangerous. Hamburgers or French fries, for example, are loaded high fat, salt, and carbohydrates that stimulate our immune system to jump into action, and some studies show that poor nutrition has long term negative effects on our immune system, and health.
Excessive Use Of Alcohol
Excessive alcohol drinking weakens or kills some of the antibody cells needed to destroy virus-infected cells thereby making alcoholic drinkers more prone to tuberculosis, infection, and pneumonia.
Too much alcohol consumption is dehydrating and toxic to the liver, depletes B-vitamins, depresses the nervous system, and inhibits the bone marrow’s ability to regenerate blood cells.
To help our immune system, and not hinder it, now is the time to reduce our alcohol intake or stop drinking altogether.
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