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Maintaining a strong immune system is essential for overall wellness since it acts as our body's first line of defense against infections and illnesses. There are some factors that are out of our control when it comes to keeping illness at bay (if you have a child in childcare, you know what we are talking about). However, many of our lifestyle and dietary choices can have a profound impact on how our bodies combat illness or infection. But sometimes, some things that we perceive as healthy may inadvertently harm our immune function.
In this article, we will uncover some good things that could be bad for your immune health, according to experts, to help you know what to do and what not to do to help keep your body healthy.
Immune health gets a lot of buzz these days, and for good reason. It is essential for maintaining overall well-being and quality of life. A robust immune system acts as your body's first line of defense against harmful pathogens, including viruses and bacteria.1 When your immune system functions optimally, it helps reduce the risk of illnesses and may help reduce the duration of colds.
When you have a weak immune system, your body becomes more susceptible to infections and diseases. This diminished ability to fight off pathogens can result in more frequent illnesses, longer recovery times and an increased risk of more severe health complications. Common signs of a weakened immune system include recurrent colds, chronic fatigue and slow healing of wounds.
While factors like nutrition and lifestyle choices can impact immune health, other factors—like underlying conditions such as autoimmune disorders—may further compromise immune function. Additionally, age is a significant factor: As people grow older, their immune response tends to weaken, making them more vulnerable to infections.4 Furthermore, chronic stress can affect the body's ability to regulate immune responses.
Some things that sound good for you may be not-so-great for your immune health. We asked some registered dietitians to share some surprising good things that could be bad for your immune health. Here is what they said.
While there are some habits that sound healthy but may not support immune health, there are others that actually may be good things to adopt to help keep your immune health in tip-top shape.