Q: How can I boost my immune system?
A: Dr Warren Deeves at Health Matters Ballito says:
Most patients visiting our rooms during the pandemic have been asking this same question.
Following a healthy, balanced lifestyle is the best way to support our immune systems.
The most important practical, modifiable risk factors are to reduce alcohol intake, stop smoking, reduce weight, and ease your mental stress.
Exercise is an excellent start. It is good for your heart, reduces body weight, improves blood pressure and releases hormones which reduce mental stress.
But how to start if you are very unfit?
Try intermittent bouts of increased heart rates, for example, walking very fast from one lamp post to another, and then catch your breath on the next.
If you are battling to have a good chat to your buddy next to you, because you feel that you need your lungs to breathe faster, then you are exercising!
Getting enough sleep should be another focus point, as it allows our bodies to recuperate from a busy day.
Follow a good sleep pattern, be consistent with timing, and put your devises and work away at least 2 hours before bedtime to allow the mind to relax and the body to make melatonin.
A well-balanced diet (or a good smoothie) should have enough vitamins and minerals to avoid taking it in a tablet form.
Let’s talk sugar – everyone’s favourite! Try to avoid sugar and processed foods as they cause inflammation, weight gain, diabetes, and stimulate certain auto immune diseases and cancers.
My advice to patients is:
Start small.
Choose one of the above tips and make a small change to your lifestyle and without realizing it, you will be transforming your life, one small habit at a time!
