We all know that our immune systems need to be functioning properly in order to fight off diseases ranging from the common cold to viruses that can be potentially life-threatening. With so much information out there, it may be hard to know how to boost our immune systems and stay healthy. We have five tips that have been proven to aid your immune system and keep the bugs at bay.
Sleep promotes the natural healing and detoxification of our body, and resting can help you boost your immune system by reducing the amount of adrenaline your body produces. When active, your body naturally produces adrenaline and this can counteract some of the actions of your immune system, decreasing its performance.
Getting between eight and 10 hours of sleep at night helps your immune system fight off bacteria, germs and viruses that may have entered your body during the day.
Drinking plenty of water goes a long way towards giving your immune system a boost.
Our bloodstream is responsible for transporting nutrients and fluids to organs our immune system relies on to keep us healthy. Our blood is composed of nearly 90 percent water, and when we've dehydrated the volume of blood flowing through our veins is reduced causing deficiencies in our immune system's performance.
Our lymphatic system also relies on proper hydration. The lymphatic system is responsible for removing waste, toxins and other contaminants in our bodies that have the potential to make us ill. Without a properly tuned lymphatic system, the immune system has the potential to be overloaded causing us to more easily succumb to germs and viruses.
In order to keep your immune system effective, keep your body fully hydrated. Try to stick to a rigid schedule of consuming fluids every hour and substitute a sports performance beverage such as TapouT occasionally throughout the day. Both flavors of TapouT have plenty of natural sodium that helps your body retain fluids longer and prevent dehydration.
Vitamins C and D are key components to a robust immune system. Vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidant that supports the immune system, and it's often recommended that you get 100 percent of your daily vitamin C intake to remain healthy. Vitamin C is found in many fruits, but if you're looking for an easy way to get your vitamin C, try drinking a TapouT Citrus Kick or low-calorie Cherry Lemonade Blast. Both flavors of TapouT contain plenty of vitamin C, so drinking one instead of water will not only help you hydrate but provide a vitamin C boost as well.
Vitamin D is available in many different foods such as fish, eggs, oatmeal and mushrooms, but the best source of vitamin D is the sun. Studies have shown that vitamin D helps keep our immune system at full strength, so soak up some sun and perhaps give your immune system an extra boost by combining sun exposure with our next tip.
Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are a great sources of antioxidants that keep your immune system performing at a high level. Dark, leafy greens, berries, oatmeal and spices such as turmeric contain plenty of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that keep you healthy and battle off infections.
Be aware of food allergies when you plan on eating more antioxidant rich foods. Some people with gluten sensitivities may be doing more harm than good by consuming large amounts of grains, and there are a select few who may be allergic to certain fruits and vegetables.
Regular exercise gets your blood flowing and boosts your immune system's functions in a few different ways.
Increased blood circulation provides nutrients to key organs that keep us healthy. It also stimulates the lymphatic system that filters and removes toxins that could potentially cause illness.
Regular exercise also helps regulate weight. Most human bodily functions perform better at a healthy weight, and the immune system is no exception. Exercise is also a great stress reliever, and stress releases adrenaline into the bloodstream. As we discussed earlier, excess adrenaline can suppress our immune response and leave us vulnerable to illness.
It's important not to neglect hydration before, during and after exercise, and remember that plain water may not be enough, especially if you have an intense workout routine. Your body burns its supply of sodium, vitamins and electrolytes as you sweat, so a TapouT beverage might be the ideal recovery drink to stay hydrated and keep your immune system functioning properly. Both flavors of TapouT contain plenty of natural sodium and the following essential electrolytes and vitamins:
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Calcium
- Vitamins A, C, E, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12
TapouT comes in two tasty flavors, our original Citrus Kick and our low-calorie Cherry Lemonade Blast. Both flavors contain the natural sodium to promote hydration, all four electrolytes and a variety of vitamins to help promote a healthy and robust immune system.