How to boost immune system, prevent diseases, say experts
One fallout of too much stress in the body is the negative effect it has on the immune system. Health experts note that when stress levels are too high, it weakens the immune system, rendering the body vulnerable to infections and diseases. This can range from ailments such as the common cold to more serious diseases like cancer and AIDS.
“The immune system helps protect the body against bacteria, viruses and micro-organisms that try to invade it,” stated Mercy Oki, a nutritionist and lifestyle expert. She explained that when the stress level in the body is too high, it suppresses the immune system, thereby preventing it from doing its job of fighting infections. “When that happens, the body is exposed and vulnerable to infection and disease. Common illnesses brought on or worsened by stress are cardiovascular disease, digestive problems, skin conditions, poor memory function and others such as cancer, AIDS and other autoimmune disorders,” she added.
Speaking further, she said: “While it is near impossible to avoid some level of stress in the fast paced, modern world we live in today, too much or chronic stress is unhealthy to the body system. So, we need to learn to control the level of stress to avoid the immune system being affected adversely. Learn to deal with stress in a healthy way.”
To reduce chronic stress, she recommends certain lifestyle, dietary and personal changes that will help boost immunity and prevent infections from invading the body. “People should learn to relax more. I know there’s a lot of pressure in the society presently for people to make it, be successful and have lots of money. All this chasing after money and material things is putting so much pressure on so many people that it’s contributing to the stress levels they are facing. This is not good for the health as it can lead to ailments such as high blood pressure, heart diseases that can result in strokes or heart attacks among others. I just lost a cousin of mine, a young lady in her 30s who died of a heart attack. She was having marital and financial problems and probably thinking too much which must have increased her stress levels. You know, too much stress can cause high blood pressure, irregular heart beat and other symptoms of hypertension which are not good for the health. Her BP was very high and before we knew it, she was gone.
“So, if you are prone to high blood pressure, avoid situations that will raise your stress levels. Take up exercise, eat healthily especially plenty of fruits and vegetables as these contain antioxidants that can strengthen your body’s ability to fight infections and diseases; avoid too much alcohol and learn to relax more. Life is not all about chasing money or big positions,” advised Oki.
Also speaking on the issue, Joy Onukwu, a physiotherapist at the Eupraxiaphysio Clinic, Lagos stated: “Stress is the way our bodies would react to any kind of demand or load sent its way. Stress could affect us both positively and negatively. In our body, the Nervous system reacts by releasing hormones known as adrenalin which (positive stress) in time of danger helps us to flee.
“The issue comes when the stress level is very high which could be caused by place of work, school, family problems, depression, lack of sleep, and so on. When this happens, it would in turn affect our immune system which is known as the soldiers of our body, due to low immunity, diseases can attack our body.”
For good health and general wellbeing of the body, she advised: “My general advice for good health is that for good nutrition, people should eat balanced diet, a lot of fruits and vegetables as they supply vitamins and build the immune system. We should also endeavour to exercise. Ensure you exercise at least 30 minutes through walk, and do it three times a week. This would improve circulation, muscles, bones, brain function and so on. We should also sleep and rest well-as an adult, required hours of sleep is about 7 hours, ensure you rest well.”
